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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 08, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Metabolix Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), a leader in the use of bioscience to provide biobased, sustainable, solutions for the world's needs for plastics, fuels and chemicals, today announced the signing of a collaborative agreement with Australia's Cooperative Research Centre for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology (CRC SIIB) to research and develop natural plastics directly in sugarcane. Queensland Minister for State Development John Mickel formalized the agreement today in Boston.
"As Metabolix continues to expand its activities in the biofuel and chemicals sectors we are very pleased to be working with the team in Queensland on producing natural plastics in sugarcane, as we have done with switchgrass," said Oliver Peoples, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Metabolix. "Sugarcane is currently the premier biomass crop for biofuels, and we believe it can be developed to produce an advanced biorefinery feedstock for the production of natural plastics, fuels and chemicals, significantly expanding Metabolix's global reach. While switchgrass is well suited for the North American climate, sugarcane will be ideal for more tropical climate zones."
"This new sugarcane natural plastics program could well pave the way for the sugar industry's involvement in future bioplastics industries and other sought after bio-based products," said Mr. Mickel. "I believe demand for these types of products will increase as more environmentally-conscious companies and consumers look for ways to lessen negative impacts on the environment."
"What we are seeing here is acknowledgement of the potential of biodegradable plastics and support for the potential role of Queensland's most valuable plant crop, sugarcane, in a future bio-based economy which is renewable and sustainable," said Dr. Peter Twine, CEO, CRC SIIB, which is based at the University of Queensland.
About Metabolix
Founded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation driven bioscience company developing clean, sustainable solutions for the world's needs for plastics, fuels, and chemicals. Metabolix pioneered the systems approach, from gene to end product, integrating sophisticated biotechnology with advanced industrial engineering practice and marketing. The Company is now commercializing its first platform, environmentally sustainable and totally biodegradable Mirel(TM) natural plastics as a clean alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Metabolix is also developing proprietary biomass technology platforms including switchgrass and sugarcane to produce natural plastics, biofuels and chemicals. For more information, please visit www.metabolix.com. (MBLX-G)
About CRC Sugar Industry through Innovation
Established in 2003, the CRC for Sugar Industry Innovation through Biotechnology is a unique alliance of Australia's top sugarcane biotechnology research organisations including four universities, sugar industry research groups, Federal and Queensland governments and commercial expertise with the goal to add new value to Australian sugarcane. The centre combines Australia's strengths in molecular biology and chemical engineering with current industry skills and infrastructure. For more information, visit www.crcsugar.com
SOURCE: Metabolix Inc.
Metabolix: Media: ICR Brian Ruby, 203-682-8268 brian.ruby@icrinc.com Matt Lindberg, 203-682-8214 matthew.lindberg@icrinc.com or Investors: ICR Kathleen Heaney, 203-803-3585 kheaney@icrinc.com
Copyright Business Wire 2007
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