Metabolix To Present PLA Performance Improvements Using PHA Performance Modifiers At 3rd Annual PLA World Congress

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), an advanced biomaterials company focused on sustainable solutions for the plastics and chemicals industries, today announced that it will highlight advances in its PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) biopolymer technology and its uses in modifying PLA (polylactic acid) at the 3^rd PLA World Congress taking place May 27 and 28 in Munich, Germany. Metabolix Vice President, Biopolymers, Bob Engle will present on PHA performance modifiers for PLA at the conference.

"There is a significant opportunity to expand the range of applications addressable by PLA, the current industry-leading biopolymer material, by rubber toughening it with PHA modifiers," Engle said. "We are developing proprietary PHA copolymer technology that is compatible with PLA and can modify PLA's properties to provide significant improvement in toughness and ductility, while still satisfying the market need for high bio-content and compostable solutions in applications such as single-use nonwovens, blister packaging and film."

Overview of Metabolix's PLA World Congress Presentation:

"PLA Modification Using New Mirel™ PHA Copolymers" 
Tuesday, May 27 at 4:35 p.m. CEST    

Metabolix has developed amorphous copolymers characterized with low glass transition temperatures to extend its PHA biopolymer performance capabilities. These PHA copolymers can effectively improve PLA's physical properties without compromising transparency, bio-content or compostability. Metabolix will showcase opportunities in a range of applications including fibers, sheet and film that are enabled by using Metabolix PHA modifier technology and highlight data on the PLA performance improvement. Metabolix is launching PLA masterbatch compounds incorporating the new Mirel PHA copolymers.

About Metabolix

Metabolix, Inc. is an advanced biomaterials company focused on sustainable solutions for the plastics and chemicals industries. The Company is developing and commercializing a family of high-performance biopolymers targeted at applications for performance additives that can improve performance and/or reduce cost in other material systems such as PVC, PLA and coated paper. Metabolix also is developing platforms for biobased chemicals based on its novel "FAST" recovery process and for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy from crops. Metabolix has established an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio that, together with its knowledge of advanced industrial practice, provides a foundation for industry collaborations.

For more information, please visit www.metabolix.com.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding expectations for market demand and Metabolix product development, constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including the risks and uncertainties detailed in Metabolix's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Metabolix assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

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SOURCE Metabolix, Inc.