Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) producer Danimer Scientific (Bainbridge, Georgia / USA; www.danimerscientific.com), which operated under Meredian until 2016, appears to be back on track after considerable turbulence – see Plasteurope.com of 19.12.2016. The biotechnology company intends to acquire an 8,000 m² site, including buildings and a closed fermentation plant, in Winchester, Kentucky / USA from animal feed specialist Alltech (Nicholasville, Kentucky; www.alltech.com).

This second facility will enable the company to expand its production of "Nodax" PHA. Danimer has so far operated a production line with a capacity of 15,000 t/y in Bainbridge, in which cold-pressed rapeseed (canola) oil is processed. The company, which can be regarded as the world market leader with this volume, is aiming to convert and restart the Winchester facility before the end of 2018. No capacity figures have been given. According to CEO Stephen Croskrey, the PHA base polymer will be transported for processing and compounding to the main Bainbridge site.

PepsiCo, which has been working together with Danimer for several years, is also investing in the expansion of PHA production. Possibilities of developing the existing PHA types for use in packaging film are being examined – see Plasteurope.com of 10.03.2017.