US bioscience company Metabolix (Cambridge, Massachusetts; www.metabolix.com) has granted PLA producer NatureWorks (Minnetonka, Minnesota / USA; www.natureworksllc.com) a non-exclusive license for its patented polylactic acid-based blends. As part of the agreement, NatureWorks will be allowed to make, use and sell PLA blends with certain other polymers, including PBS. The patent itself is owned by the University of Massachusetts Lowell (www.uml.edu), while Metabolix is the exclusive licensee.

Commenting on the agreement, Metabolix CEO Richard Eno said his company was amenable to licensing arrangements that would provide it the opportunity for financial participation. The US group recently posted a 1% loss in profits last year – partly a result of the winding down of its loss-making Telles bioplastics joint venture with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM, Decatur, Illinois / USA; www.adm.com) – see Plasteurope.com of 09.03.2012.

NatureWorks recently entered into a joint venture with biosuccinic acid and PBS producer BioAmber (Plymouth, Minnesota / USA; www.bio-amber.com) for the development of compounded PLA/PBS resins – see Plasteurope.com of 20.02.2012.