BAINBRIDGE – Danimer Scientific has announced plans to double the anticipated capacity of its previously-announced greenfield Nodax PHA plant from 125 million to 250 million finished pounds – and based on current demand still expects that all capacity will be completely sold out.

Currently in the pre-construction engineering stage, the plant will now come online in two phases, with an initial three fermenters expected to be operational in mid-2023 and a second three in early 2024.

Danimer reported sales up 46% to $47.3 million in 2020, driven by stronger demand and additional PHA production capacity at its plant in Winchester, Kentucky, which only became operational at the start of the year.

“We are experiencing intense demand for our Nodax PHA which is translating into long-term commitments for our products,” said CEO Stephen E. Croskrey. “Our facility expansions will further extend the reach of our biodegradable and compostable products and help our customers commitments to reducing plastic waste.”

Nodax PHA was initially developed at Procter & Gamble and has many advantages as a new plastic, and not least for nonwoven products.

PHA is a bio-based and biodegradable aliphatic polyester made by the bacterial fermentation of renewable biomass, such as vegetable oils, sugars etc.

It shows rapid biodegradation under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions and has polyolefin-like thermo-mechanical properties in terms of strength, flexibility, ductility, toughness and elasticity, and polyester-like physical properties in terms of compatibility with additives and other fibres in polymer blends

Properly compounded Nodax resins can be spun into fibres in a manner very similar to polypropylene, to make totally bio and marine degradable nonwoven products.