US bioscience company Metabolix (Cambridge, Massachusetts; www.metabolix.com) has formalised its collaboration agreement with Samsung Fine Chemicals (SFC, Ulsan / South Korea; www.sfc.samsung.co.kr/en), with a focus on developing and marketing biodegradable polymer products worldwide. The companies have been working together since early 2012.

Metabolix said it plans to concentrate on the growing global market for biodegradable polymers, including the development of new biopolymers. The company also said it will bring its range of PHA materials and other degradable polymers to the partnership. In addition, it will also have access to the range of biodegradable biopolymers produced by SFC, including polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polybutylenadipat-terephthalate (PBAT), opening up opportunities for the development of new blended biocompounds.

Metabolix extended its activities towards the east in March when it entered into a distribution agreement with China’s Tianjin GreenBio Materials (Tianjin; www.tjgreenbio.com/en) – see Plasteurope.com of 02.04.2013.