DaniMer Scientific Releases Breakthrough Biobased Label Adhesive for PET Industry

Myriant announced today that its high-performing bio-succinic acid was selected as key renewable building block chemical in a bio-based label adhesive announced today by DaniMer Scientific. The adhesive, designated DaniMer 92721, was created to eliminate the problems associated with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container recycling. To develop the adhesive, DaniMer Scientific utilized renewable building blocks from two world-class suppliers: Myriant and DuPont Tate & Lyle. DaniMer combines Myriant's bio-succinic acid with Susterra® Propanediol from DuPont Tate & Lyle into a proprietary, patent pending resin that enables the breakthrough properties of the new 92721 label adhesive.
DaniMer's new label adhesive is designed to meet the demands of PET container packaging recycling streams and has a renewable content higher than 50%. The adhesive dissolves completely in PET flake caustic wash recycling operations without clumps or "stickies." This new bio-based formulation is competitively priced with block co-polymers, with pricing not linked to crude oil derivatives. In addition, rheology of DaniMer 92721 enables the adhesive to operate in existing adhesive systems at temperatures under 325F. Results from industry standard protocol testing show the product enables zero contamination in PET recycle streams.
"DaniMer is pleased to announce this advancement towards eliminating problems with PET recycling in streams," said Daniel Carraway, Founder and CEO of DaniMer Scientific. "We have been actively engaged with our target market in order to understand what our consumers need, and the issue of PET contamination was a recurring and significant matter that needed to be resolved. Of course, we chose Myriant and DuPont as our suppliers for this project due to their world-class capabilities, knowledge and extensive background with the development of innovative, renewable building blocks."
Succinic acid is traditionally produced from petroleum and is used in a wide variety of applications, including the production of polymers, fibers, surfactants, detergents and flavors. The global market for succinic acid is currently estimated at approximately $7.5 billion annually.
Myriant's proprietary technology platform reduces the environmental impact from petroleum-based chemical manufacturing by making chemicals, such as bio-succinic acid, from renewable, non-food feedstocks. Myriant's high purity bio-succinic acid is a drop-in replacement for petroleum-based succinic acid. Customer analysis of Myriant's bio-succinic acid validates that it is chemically identical to petroleum-based succinic acid, while also being more environmentally friendly and cost-competitive without government subsidies.
"The recycling industry has long been challenged to find ways to overcome the issues and complications associated with recycling PET containers," said Stephen J. Gatto, Chairman and CEO of Myriant. "Myriant is proud that its high-performing bio-succinic acid is part of this innovative solution to a decades-old challenge. DaniMer's new adhesive is a great example of the innovation and market opportunities available with bio-based chemicals."
"Susterra® propanediol is certified 100% bio-based by the US Department of Agriculture, making it attractive for companies seeking to add renewable content to their products. We are excited to be selected by DaniMer as a key ingredient for this new bio-based adhesive technology," commented Pete Colombo, account executive for DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products.
DaniMer Scientific will be providing details and announcing the commercial launch of their new label adhesive at the Nova-Pack 2012 Conference in Arlington, Virginia. The product exhibition will be on June 7-8 at West Arlington Gateway Hotel, just outside of Washington, D.C. The exhibition gives packaging suppliers and users a chance to display products they designed that overcome challenges faced with the PET recycling industry. For more information and to register for the Nova-Pack 2012, please visit http://novapackconference.com.

About Myriant Corporation

Myriant utilizes its proprietary technology platform to develop innovative, performance-based, renewable chemicals utilizing low-cost sugars. In December 2010, Myriant broke ground on its flagship 30 million pound commercial bio-succinic acid facility in Lake Providence, Louisiana and anticipates beginning commercial production in early 2013. The company's D(-) lactic acid started production at commercial scale in June 2008 for use in polylactic acid. Myriant has agreements with ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH for engineering, Davy Process Technology for the integration of Myriant's bio-succinic acid process with the Davy butanediol process for the production of bio-based butanediol, and PTT Chemical for the commercialization of Myriant's technology in Southeast Asia. Myriant is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. Details are available at www.myriant.com.

About DuPont Tate & Lyle Bioproducts

DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products is a joint venture between DuPont, a global science company, and Tate & Lyle, a world-leading renewable food and industrial ingredients company. DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products provides natural and renewably sourced ingredients that do not compromise product performance. For more information on the company's products, visit www.duponttateandlyle.com.

About DaniMer Scientific

DaniMer Scientific, an international corporation, believes people's lives can be improved and the environment can be better protected by utilizing renewable resources to manufacture articles that are intended for short-term use. One of the company's goals is to reduce dependence on petroleum, enabling people and communities to benefit from environmentally-friendly products. For more information about DaniMer Scientific, please visit: www.danimer.com.

About Nova-Pack 2012

Nova-Pack 2012 Conference on PET Containers for Food and Beverages is mainly focused on helping packing suppliers design products that meet the demands of the PET container recycling stream. Exhibition participants have faced the challenge of avoiding contamination to the PET recycle stream when trying to break down the adhesive. Another issue contributing to the impact of the PET market is the development of a cost-effective route. The Nova-Pack 2012 Conference will be providing display tables for the major industry stakeholders to display their products that meet the extensive needs of the industry. http://novapackconference.com/.
Source:  http://www.myriant.com