Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates)

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Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates)

Danimer Scientific has filed a chapter 11 bankruptcy on 18th march 2025 that really impacted the PHA market at the moment.It is because of the high production cost and limited market adoption.



As I observed from the bioplastics industry that in 2020, the company went public, and the entire team at Danimer Scientific were optimistic about expanding the PHA biopolymer plant. In 2021, the governor of Georgia, Brian P. Kemp announced plans to invest USD 700 million in expanding Danimer’s Bainbridge manufacturing operations, nearly quadrupling their workforce in Decatur County.That made them purchase Novomer company at the cost of $152 million.This happens to Danimer Scientific which holds 125 patents in 20 countries


PHA & PEF:

Bioplastic market started booming in the year 2010 and I was engaged and drafted a comprehensive landscape of the market research report on bioplastics for an American market research company. I forecasted only PEF and PHA will rule the bioplastic market in the next couple of decades.

PEF chemistry is getting stronger year by year and lots of developments have been happening in this segment.Commercialization PHA witnessed some hurdles in 2018 and will find a way to sort out the pricing of feedstocks and production cost in the coming days.


What went wrong in last 3-4 years

They struggled to have cash flow on time in the business and also they could not be able to reduce the production cost,not able to reach out the market adoption for various applications.EU policy restriction on PHA for single use plastic,market is not ready to accept PHA as higher cost as the market has other alternatives in the market.


I suggest the poly hydroxy alkanoates(PHA) manufacturers has to find a way to reduce the fermentation manufacturing cost of the PHA resin and also work out a compatibility for blending PHA with other biopolymers PLA,PBS,PCL,other biopolymers to get the cost down.


PHA application:

Lids,straws,cups,utensil,toys,shopping bags,bottles,diaper lining,plates,wipes etc


Govt Policy on sustainability:

I think the manufacturers of PHA and other bioplastics should create more awareness on bioplastic from kids to general public in various events,expo and sports.This helps them easy recognition and pay premium on certain products if it routes from sustainable renewables. Govt must draw such policy and introduce bioplastic products in govt offices and functions and offer stimulus packages to companies which struggle in the Bioplastic Industry.


In recent days,the FDA has approved PHA for biomedical applications.The application list is growing day by day for the PHA market.

I am optimistic that the demand for PHA biopolymer resin will rise three times by 2030.As the healthcare industry accepts PHA for tissue engineering,implants,drug delivery carriers,3Dprinting,medical devices,Agriculture etc.

The actual growth year for PHA biopolymers will be in 2028.


Muthuramalingam Krishnan


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