METABOLIX, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150376152 | Process for Ultra Pure Chemical Production from Biobased Raw Starting Materials - Processes and methods for making ultra-pure (>99.50% by weight), biobased crotonic acid, gamma-butyro lactone, acrylic acid and delta-valerolactone from renewable carbon resources are described herein. | 12-31-2015 |
20150240273 | POLYHYDROXYALKANOATE COPOLYMER COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer composition is provided. The composition comprises a plurality of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer molecules. The polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer molecules (i) comprise 3-hydroxybutyrate monomers and 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers, (ii) have a monomeric molar percentage of 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers of 23.5 to 75%, and (iii) have a biobased content of ≧80%. Also provided is a method of making a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer composition. The method comprises culturing an organism in the presence of one or more carbon raw materials under conditions under which (a) the one or more carbon raw materials are converted to 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA and 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA and (b) the 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA and the 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA are polymerized to form the polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer molecules, thereby forming the composition. The organism has been genetically engineered to comprise particular enzymatic activities, and to not comprise other particular enzymatic activities. The one or more carbon raw materials, taken together, have a biobased content of ≧80%. | 08-27-2015 |
20140234944 | Green Process for Producing Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Chemicals Using a Renewable Feedstock - Disclosed are organisms genetically engineered to make useful products when grown on ethanol as a carbon source. The organisms are genetically engineered to produce various useful products such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, diols, diacids, higher alcohols, and other useful chemicals. | 08-21-2014 |
20140194568 | PHA COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING PBS AND PBSA AND METHODS FOR THEIR PRODUCTION - Compositions of PHAs with PBS and/or PBSA are described and methods of making the same. | 07-10-2014 |
20140170714 | POST PROCESS PURIFICATION FOR GAMMA-BUTYROLACTONE PRODUCTION - Post purification processes and methods for making pure biobased gamma-butyrolactone from renewable carbon resources comprising filtration and/or distillation and/or peroxide treatment are described herein. | 06-19-2014 |
20140114082 | Biorefinery Process For THF Production - Processes and methods for making biobased tetrahydrofuran products from renewable carbon resources are described herein. | 04-24-2014 |
20140088233 | BIOBASED MODIFIERS FOR POLYVINYLCHLORIDE BLENDS - Compositions of polymer blends of polyvinylchloride (PVC), a low molecular weight plasticizer and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) are described. In certain embodiments, the PHA is a poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate copolymer having a weight percent 4-hydroxybutyrate of 30-45%. In other embodiments the PHA is a multiphase P3HB-4HB copolymer blend having one phase fully amorphous. The PHA is mixed with the PVC and low molecular weight plasticizer to optimize the PVC's optical, thermal and mechanical properties. In certain embodiments, the polymer is branched with optionally additives that improve properties. Methods of making the compositions of the invention are also described. The invention also includes articles, films and laminates comprising the compositions. | 03-27-2014 |
20140051787 | BIOBASED MODIFIERS FOR POLYVINYLCHLORIDE BLENDS - Compositions of polymer blends of polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) are described. In certain embodiments, the PHA is a poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate copolymer having a weight percent 4-hydroxybutyrate of 30-45%. In other embodiments the PHA is a multiphase P3HB-4HB copolymer blend having one phase fully amorphous. The PHA is mixed with the PVC to optimize its optical, thermal and mechanical properties. In certain embodiments, the polymer is branched with optionally additives that improve properties. Methods of making the compositions of the invention are also described. The invention also includes articles, films and laminates comprising the compositions. | 02-20-2014 |
20140030536 | Biodegradable Coextruded Multilayer Films - Described herein is a biobased, fully biodegradable multilayer film having gas barrier properties. Also included is a method of making such material. | 01-30-2014 |
20140024769 | PROCESS FOR MAKING CHEMICAL DERIVATIVES - Process and methods for making glycolic acid chemical intermediates and derivatives from biomass are described herein. | 01-23-2014 |
20130317163 | PHA COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING PBS AND PBSA AND METHODS FOR THEIR PRODUCTION - Compositions of PHAs with PBS and/or PBSA are described and methods of making the same. | 11-28-2013 |
20130225761 | PROCESS FOR LATEX PRODUCTION BY MELT EMULSIFICATION - A method for producing an aqueous PHA emulsion or latex comprising predominantly amorphous PHA polymers or copolymers with polymer dispersants or surfactants is described. | 08-29-2013 |
20130090449 | Biobased Polyester Diols And Polyols From High Molecular Weight Polyhydroxyalkanoates - Methods for producing biobased hydroxyl-terminated polyester polymers are described wherein molten-dispersed or hydrocarbonaceous fluid-dispersed phase polyhydroxyalkanoate polymers are reacted with a difunctional hydroxylated insertion compound at a sufficient temperature and time to depolymerize the starting polyester polymers to provide hydroxyl-terminated reaction products of reduced molecular weight. The difunctional hydroxylated insertion compound can be at least one of diol, aminoalcohol, and polyhydroxyalcohol. The use of catalyst may be required, reduced or eliminated. The hydroxyl-terminated reaction product is at least one of hydroxyl-terminated polyhydroxyalkanoate. A method for making polyurethanes further is described wherein the hydroxyl-terminated reaction product is reacted with polyfunctional isocyanate to form a polyurethane product. Products that include the hydroxyl-terminated reaction product or polyurethane also are described. | 04-11-2013 |
20130042371 | CHEMICALLY INDUCIBLE EXPRESSION OF BIOSYNTHETIC PATHWAYS - Methods and constructs for the introduction of multiple genes encoding enzymes in a multi-enzyme biosynthetic pathway are provided. In one embodiment, the constructs contain two or more enzyme-encoding genes, each under the control of an inducible promoter and each with a polyadenylation signal. The constructs are used to produce transgenic plants, in which the expression of the enzymes are increased when a chemical inducing agent is applied, and a biosynthetic product of the series of enzymes encoded by the transgenes is produced. Constructs may be used which contain two or more enzyme-encoding genes under the control of one or more promoters activated by activator molecules or complexes expressed from a transgene or transgenes, which are themselves under the control of one or more inducible promoters and switched on following the external application of a chemical. The transgene or transgenes expressing the activator molecules or complexes may be included in the same construct containing multiple genes encoding enzymes in a multi-enzyme biosynthetic pathway. Alternatively, the transgene or transgenes expressing the activator molecules or complexes may be on a different construct from the construct containing multiple genes encoding enzymes in a multi-enzyme biosynthetic pathway. The activator molecule can be expressed using a constitutive promoter in an inactive form which is converted to the active form following application of the chemical inducing agent. | 02-14-2013 |
20120328523 | POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES FOR IN VIVO APPLICATIONS - Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from which pyrogen has been removed are provided. PHAs which have been chemically modified to enhance physical and/or chemical properties, for targeting or to modify biodegradability or clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), are described. Methods for depyrogenating PHA polymers prepared by bacterial fermentation processes are also provided, wherein pyrogens are removed from the polymers without adversely impacting the polymers' inherent chemical structures and physical properties. PHAs with advantageous processing characteristics, including low melting points and/or solubility in non-toxic solvents, are also described. The PHAs are suitable for use in in vivo applications such as in tissue coatings, stents, sutures, tubing, bone, other prostheses, bone or tissue cements, tissue regeneration devices, wound dressings, drug delivery, and for diagnostic and prophylactic uses. | 12-27-2012 |
20120180162 | GENERATION OF HIGH POLYHYDROXYBUTRATE PRODUCING OILSEEDS - Transgenic plants, plant material, plant cells, and genetic constructs for synthesis of biopolymers, for example polyhydroxyalkanoates (“PHA”) are provided. In one embodiment, the transgenic plants synthesize polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”). In one embodiment the transgenic plant encodes siRNA for one or more of the genes encoding enzymes for producing PHA. In a more preferred embodiment, the siRNA expression is under the control of an inducible regulatory element. In another embodiment, the transgenic plant contains transgenes that encode expression enzymes that will degrade the polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the expression of these enzymes is under the control of a germination specific, inducible, or minimal promoter. In another embodiment, the transgenic plant contains transgenes encoding enzymes that increase carbon flow for polymer synthesis. In a preferred embodiment, these transgenes encode enzymes that increase carbon flow in the Calvin Cycle. | 07-12-2012 |
20120021471 | BIOABSORBABLE POLYMER CONTAINING 2-HYDROXYACID MONOMERS - Genetically engineered organisms for production of PHA copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers and the methods of making and using thereof have been developed. The copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers can be synthesized via biosynthesis by the action of a PHA polymerase in a living cell. By changing the genetic background of the cells, one can control specific metabolic pathways allowing control of the level of glycolic acid co-monomer in the PHA polymer. | 01-26-2012 |
20110293865 | METHODS FOR BRANCHING PHA USING THERMOLYSIS - Branched PHA compositions, and related methods and articles are disclosed. | 12-01-2011 |
20110124779 | Nucleating Agents for Polyhydroxyalkanoates - Provided herein are nucleating agent compositions for use in nucleating polymers during processing. Methods for making and using the nucleating agent compositions are also provided. The nucleating agent in dry powder form is wet millled in a liquid carrier, such as a plasticizer, surfactant, or lubricant. | 05-26-2011 |