Medium chain length poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (<i>mcl</i>-PHAs) are becoming industrially practical due to a combination of advances in the tools of industrial biotechnology, feedstocks, and manufacturing processes. The polymer structure obtained during fermentation provides thermoplastic polymers with physical properties that are improved compared to conventional PHAs, and the ability to control that structure yields materials that can address performance requirements for a very broad range of final applications. Crystallization kinetics and the development of morphology are determined primarily by side group chain length and composition defined during fermentation, and profoundly and positively affect processing. The use of PHA as a replacement for conventional petroleum based thermoplastics, and the impact of end-of-life considerations will be discussed.

Industrial applications of medium chain length poly(hydroxy alkanoates): From feedstock to finished article

251st National Meeting (2016)

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