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CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sep 19, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Metabolix Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX) today announced that Telles(TM), its joint venture with Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM) that produces Mirel(TM) bioplastics, has appointed four individuals to support technical operations, product marketing, and European sales of Mirel. Joining Telles are Frank J. Popola, Compounding Technology and Operations Manager; Holly Wilson-Jene, Director of Product Marketing; Sally Kline, Ph.D., Director of Technology; and Diether Hesse, Commercial Director Europe.
"This impressive expansion to the Telles team illustrates the dramatic growth in demand for Mirel bioplastics and the company's future global success and expansion," said Bob Findlen, vice president, sales and marketing, Metabolix.
Mirel is a new family of bioplastics made from corn that provides an excellent alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. Unlike conventional plastics, Mirel biodegrades in a variety of environments including soil, home compost, wetlands, rivers and oceans.
Frank J. Popola is a well-rounded plastics industry professional, bringing 25 years of experience in business, development, sales, operations, and technical management. Frank is responsible for developing the compounding infrastructure to support the supply of Mirel bioplastics to customers. Prior to joining Metabolix, he was Technology Manager at Century Extrusion and Manager of International and Indirect Sales at Century, Inc. Frank holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, N.J.
Holly Wilson-Jene has an extensive background in polymer sales and marketing. Holly is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies, developing support tools for existing markets and identifying new markets for Mirel. She brings 20 years of experience in marketing and sales. Prior to joining Metabolix, she was Marketing Director at NOVA Chemicals in Moon Township, Pa. Holly holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass., and an MBA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Sally Kline, Ph.D., brings more than 20 years of experience in plastics technology research, development and commercialization. Sally is responsible for all product development, applications and formulations for new grades of Mirel. Prior to joining Metabolix, she spent more than five years at The PolyOne Corporation in Avon Lake, Ohio, serving as director of technology, engineering materials. Sally holds a Doctorate of Engineering in Macromolecular Science at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Diether Hesse is based in Switzerland and has a 15 year track record in Polymer Marketing and Sales. At Telles he is responsible for developing and managing the European/MEAF business for Mirel bioplastics. Prior to joining Telles, he spent 8 years with NOVA Chemicals where he held leadership roles in Marketing and Sales. Diether is a Graduate in Marketing and Economics from the Universities of Bochum, Germany and Le Mans, France.
About Metabolix
Founded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation driven bioscience Company focused on providing sustainable solutions for the world's needs for plastics, fuels and chemicals. 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 Mirel(TM) bioplastics, a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to petroleum based plastics. Mirel is suitable for injection molding, extrusion coating, cast film and sheet, blown film and thermoforming. Metabolix is also developing a proprietary platform technology for co-producing plastics, biofuels and chemical products in biomass energy crops such as switchgrass.
Metabolix and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) are commercializing Mirel through a joint venture called Telles. The first commercial scale Mirel production plant is being constructed adjacent to ADM's wet corn mill in Clinton, Iowa. The plant is expected to begin operations in late 2008 and is designed to produce up to 110 million pounds of Mirel annually. Mirel will reduce reliance on petroleum and decrease environmental impacts relative to conventional petroleum based plastics.
For more information, please visit www.metabolix.com. (MBLX-G)
SOURCE: Metabolix
For Metabolix: ICR Media: Matt Lindberg, 203-682-8214 matthew.lindberg@icrinc.com or Investor: Kathleen Heaney, 203-803-3585 kheaney@icrinc.com
Copyright Business Wire 2007
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