CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metabolix, Inc. (Nasdaq:MBLX), an advanced biomaterials company focused on sustainable solutions for the plastics industry, today announced that data on Mirel® PHA biopolymers will be presented at ANTEC, the SPI technical conference co-located with NPE 2015 in Orlando, FL beginning Monday, March 23. The presentations will take place at ANTEC sessions held on Tuesday, March 24.   Attendees at NPE and ANTEC may also learn more about these applications of Mirel PHA biopolymers and view product samples by visiting Metabolix in the South Hall at Booth 15041.   

At ANTEC, data will be presented on Mirel biopolymers highlighting the use of Mirel® PHA biopolymers in two target application spaces. The presentations will highlight data showing Metabolix's biobased amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoates (a-PHA) copolymers deliver key performance improvements in polylactic acid (PLA) compounds, thereby extending the application range for PLA. In addition, Mirel biopolymers can be used to produce an innovative aqueous PHA latex technology that can be applied as a very thin, moisture-resistant barrier coating on paper using standard aqueous coating equipment.

"Our a-PHA copolymers represent a significant bioscience and engineering breakthrough because they can be used to provide effective rubber toughening for PLA while reducing the stiffness and brittleness of PLA across a range of thermoplastic applications," said Max Senechal, vice president, strategic and commercial development at Metabolix. "In addition, our work investigating the use of PHA biopolymers for barrier coatings is intended to continue to explore the potential range of applications addressed by the biocontent and biodegradation profile of PHA biopolymers. We look forward to further examining the business uses of our PHA biopolymer technology with innovators in the plastics and paper industries."

Overview of the ANTEC presentations:

"Improving the Physical Properties and Versatility of PLA with PHA Copolymer Blends"

Tuesday, March 24 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern

Mike Andrews, Ph.D., Metabolix, Inc. will present data showing:

  • Metabolix a-PHA copolymers represent a new grade of PHA copolymer that is amorphous, with a low glass transition temperature making it suitable for reducing brittleness and increasing the toughness and ductility of PLA.
  • a-PHA copolymers are effective rubber toughening modifiers for PLA across a range of thermoplastic applications including injection molding, extruded sheet and blown film.
  • The addition of a-PHA modifiers to PLA maintains the fully bio-based and industrial compostable properties of the material.

"Biodegradable Latex Paper Coatings Based on Polyhydroxyalkanoates for Improved Moisture Resistance"

Tuesday, March 24 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern

Christopher Thellen, Ph.D., U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center, will present data showing:

  • Improvements in the moisture resistance of PHA latex coated paper as a function of coating thickness.
  • Improved barrier performance through heat treatment of the samples.
  • Microscopy investigations give insights into the film forming structure and the effect of the drying and annealing process on the moisture resistance of the PHA coating.
  • The degradation of materials used in the study in a marine environment.

About Metabolix

Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven specialty materials company focused on delivering high- performance biopolymer solutions to customers in the plastics industry. Metabolix's Mirel® biopolymers, which are derived from renewable resources, are a family of biobased performance additives and specialty resins based on PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates). Metabolix's proprietary biotechnology platform enables the creation of specialty biopolymers for use in a broad range of applications such as construction and packaging materials, as well as industrial, consumer and personal care products.

For more information, please visit www.metabolix.com.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding expectations for market demand and Metabolix product development, constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including the risks and uncertainties detailed in Metabolix's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Metabolix assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

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CONTACT: Metabolix Contact:
         Lynne H. Brum, 617-682-4693, LBrum@metabolix.com
         
         Media Inquiries:
         MSLGROUP Boston
         Caitlin Hunt at 781-684-0770 metabolix@mslgroup.com

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