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Q. What are Mirel Bioplastics?
A. PHAs (polyhydroxyalkanoates) (see Mirel history) are a very broad and versatile family of polymers that are made biologically, converting sunlight and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using microbial or plant bio-factories. Technically, they are a family of aliphatic polyesters. Metabolix has achieved the ability to vary the specific polymer architecture of PHAs economically over a considerable range, and has developed Mirel compositions suitable for fiber, film, and molding compounds. Mirel is a sustainable alternative to many of the polymer materials now made from fossil carbon (oil, gas, and coal), and brings new combinations of functionality to the marketplace.

Q. What is Mirel useful for?
A. In many applications, Mirel provide a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to currently used polymers based on fossil carbon. Mirel also brings new functionality to the marketplace, making possible new product concepts that cannot be delivered with current ranges of materials. An example of this is flushable wet wipes, which combine the stability of Bioplastics to water with their biodegradability.

Q. How is Mirel made?
A. Metabolix now produces Mirel through aerobic fermentation, converting natural sugars or oils into Mirel polymers directly inside microbial bio-factories. Standard stirred, aerated fermentation tanks are used. Each fermentation consists of a growth phase, during which empty cells (the "bio-factories") are grown to target concentrations, followed by a production phase, during which the cells fill up with Mirel. In the future, Metabolix will produce Mirel directly in plant bio-factories.

Q. Is Mirel UV resistant?
A. Yes.

Q. How fast does Mire biodegrade?
A. Biodegradation can be fairly rapid in soil and marine environments, from weeks to months. It depends on thickness, temperature and environment. Mirel meets ASTM D6400 composting standards. In an independent study, 1 mil film degraded in a marine environment in 60 days. Tests are now underway to obtain ASTM Marine Degradability certification.

Q. Do you have FDA approval?
A. We are in the process of getting FDA approval.

Q. Does Mirel comply with ASTM D 6400 or European equivalent?
A. Yes.  In addition they can biodegrade in soil and backyard compost, fresh and marine water as well as in anaerobic environments such as septic systems.

Q. Can we get some material to sample?
A. At present, material is made available from Metabolix under material transfer agreements to customer prospects based on their specific applications interests.  Please contact us for further information.

Q. What is sustainability?
A. Sustainability can mean a number of things. It means relying on renewable raw materials (sugars or oils from plant sources) rather than depletable ones (such as oil, gas, and coal). It also means working and living in a way that is in balance with our ecosphere, not emitting materials that pollute it or unbalance it, as in the case of greenhouse gas emissions, and not engaging in practices that disfigure and significantly alter it, as in coal mining. The World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present world without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The U.N. Conference on Environment & Development (1992) noted that sustainability implies that "the right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations." Sustainability should be seen as a reference point in guiding the many compromises and value tradeoffs that underlie our decisions. For example, a primitive agrarian economy is more environmentally sustainable than a modern industrial one, yet very few people would accept many of the lifestyle (and lifespan and health) consequences that come with such an economy.

Q. Are currently made plastics and chemicals sustainable?
A. No, they aren't. They rely on depletable resources such as oil, gas, and coal, which is an issue in the long run. In the short run, use of fossil carbon resources contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, with potentially serious climate change. The extraction of oil, gas, and coal also pose significant environmental risks and bear substantial unrecognized costs.

Q. Is Mirel made sustainably?
A. Mirel is made using renewable resources and green energy.  Metabolix Bioplastic* uses 90% less petroleum than traditional plastic, and emits 66% less Green House Gas (GHG). We also utilize the cleanest most sustainable energy in the process. *the only petroleum Mirel uses is in the cultivation, transportation (shipping), and processing of corn.

Q. Is Mirel really better for the environment than traditional plastics?
A. Yes. Mirels are environmentally benign, require less energy equivalent for their manufacture, are biodegradable, and are made from carbon dioxide, sunlight and water.

Q. How can I get samples of Mirel?
A. At this time, Metabolix supplies Mirel materials to qualified parties under Material Transfer Agreements. We do not otherwise provide samples.

Q. How large is Metabolix?
A. Metabolix now employs over 80 people.

Q. Is Metabolix a public company? Can I invest in Metabolix?
A. Metabolix is a public company.  It trades under the symbol MBLX on the NASDAQ.

Q. May I use material from the website in my report/lecture?
A. The material on this website is protected by copyright law. You may use it only if properly credited as required by law.

Q. Would Metabolix consider licensing my invention?
A. Metabolix has licensing arrangements with appropriate individuals and institutions. You may speak to our Chief Scientific Officer regarding your particular case.

Q. I am writing a thesis, report, etc. What other information is available on Mirel?
A. Besides the information contained on this website, there is a considerable literature about Bioplastics. Citations can be found in our website.

Q. What are polymers?
A. As commonly used, the term "polymers" refers to materials that are made up of long chains of building block molecules, most typically with a carbon containing backbone. Familiar examples include polyethylene (used in lawn and leaf bags and garbage bags, milk jugs, and coated paper), polypropylene (used in car bumpers, containers for motor oil, carpet fibers), PET (used in soft drink containers and "fleece" garments), and PVC (used in exterior house siding and plumbing pipe). Other polymers are used as the basis of paints, coatings, and adhesives. Natural polymers other than Mirels include cellulose, starch, and spider silk protein, among others.

Q. What are plastics?
A. Plastics are polymers that will flow under heat and pressure, allowing them to be formed into useful products. Common examples include polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET.