Telles, a joint venture between Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX) and Archer Daniels Midland Company, today announced that Zo\u00eb b Organic, a distributor of BPA-free, organic products for babies and kids, has selected and contracted MirelTM bioplastic for the world\u2019s first line of biodegradable beach toys. Mirel was the material of choice for Zo\u00eb b Organic\u2019s new beach pails, cups and shovels for toddlers because it is the only durable bioplastic on the market that is proven to biodegrade in a marine environment.<\/b><\/p>\n
Made from corn sugar, Mirel bioplastics are biobased and biodegradable in natural soil and water environments, home composting systems and industrial composting facilities, where available. The rate and extent of Mirel\u2019s biodegradability will depend on the size and shape of the articles made from it. However, like nearly all bioplastics and organic matter, Mirel is not designed to biodegrade in conventional landfills. When disposed of properly in the appropriate environment, the microbes present in natural soil or water break down the PHA structure of Mirel bioplastics, harmlessly converting the material back into CO2<\/sub>, water and biomass.<\/p>\n Mirel combines the expected durability and versatility of traditional petroleum-based plastics such as PVC, PET and PP, with biodegradable properties in certain environments, providing brand owners with a unique material for use in their products. “As a mother of three young children, I am concerned about the number of stray plastic shovels and beach buckets that inadvertently wash up on the shore,\u201d said Valerie Lecoeur, president and founder of Zo\u00eb b Organic. “Our line of Zo\u00eb b Organic beach products made with Mirel represents a cultural shift in toy manufacturing. With Mirel\u2019s ability to biodegrade in water and other environments, Zo\u00eb b Organic is making smarter beach toys that are healthier for our kids and our planet.\u201d<\/p>\n Zo\u00eb b Organic beach toys made with Mirel will be available online at www.zoeborganic.com and at select retailers beginning in spring 2011.<\/p>\n About Mirel Bioplastics<\/i><\/b> About Metabolix<\/b> About Zo\u00eb b Organic<\/b> Contact<\/b>
\n“Consumers are increasingly seeking more products that fit with their desire for healthier lifestyles, and forward-thinking brand owners, including distributors like Zo\u00eb b Organic, are responding by turning to biobased and biodegradable materials that are made from renewable sources,\u201d said Bob Engle, Telles general manager. “Mirel\u2019s biobased solutions provide an alternative to petroleum-based resins that offers brand owners a way to meet corporate sustainability goals and further differentiate product offerings.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMirel is a family of bioplastic materials that have physical properties comparable to petroleum- based resins, yet are biobased and biodegradable in natural soil and water environments, in home composting systems, and in industrial composting facilities where such facilities are available. The rate and extent of Mirel\u2019s biodegradability will depend on the size and shape of the articles made from it. However, like nearly all bioplastics and organic matter, Mirel is not designed to biodegrade in conventional landfills. Commercial grades of Mirel are available for injection molding, thermoforming, sheet extrusion, and film applications. For more<\/p>\n
\nFounded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation-driven bioscience company focused on providing sustainable solutions for the world\u2019s needs for plastics, chemicals and energy. The Company is taking a systems approach, from gene to end product, integrating sophisticated biotechnology with advanced industrial practice. Metabolix is now developing and commercializing MirelTM, a family of high performance bioplastics which are biobased and biodegradable alternatives to many petroleum based plastics, through Telles, a joint venture between Metabolix and Archer Daniels Midland Company. Metabolix is also developing a proprietary platform technology for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy, from crops such as switchgrass, oilseeds and sugarcane.<\/p>\n
\nZo\u00eb b Organic both sells and manufactures sustainable, BPA-free, organic products for babies and kids. They are the exclusive U.S. distributor for Natursutten, the world\u2019s #1-selling, all- natural rubber pacifier. They\u2019re also the maker of the On-The-Go Sleepy Hat and the creator of Kidishes, kid-friendly glass dishes from Duralex. The company is committed to providing mothers with well-designed options that are both safer for children and healthier for the planet.<\/p>\n
\nMedia:
\nKeith Giannini or Jen Barlow, Schwartz Communications,
\nphone: (781) 684-0770,
\nemail: metabolix@schwartzcomm.com<\/a><\/p>\n