Beauty & Healthcare
PHBV for Beauty and Healthcare Applications
P Thin Section Microscope Picture Showing PHBV polymer within the cells of the microorganism
Article contributed by Dr. Jim Lunt V.P. Sales and Marketing Tianan Biologic Wayzata, Minnesota, USA
HBV (Poly Hydroxy Butyrate co Valerate, a polymer from the PHA family ) is produced by Tianan Biologic through the fermentation of sugar derived from non-genetically modified corn starch. Tianan Biologic, world leader in the production of PHBV, purchases native corn starch and converts it ‘in house’ to glucose. The microbes convert this glucose, plus a small amount of propionic acid, to PHBV polymer which they store in their cells as a food reserve. At the termination of the fermentation process the PHBV can actually comprise upwards of 80% of their body weight. The polymeric PHBV powder is extracted using only water at a low temperature. However, it is not a new biopolymer. In the 1990’s, the British chemical conglomerate ICI, manufactured and sold PHBV under the trade name BIOPOL. Its first major use was for containers sold to distributors in both Europe and the U.S. One of the earliest commercial applications was for hair care products. In Germany, Wella‘s Sanara® Shampoo was the first PHBV product to hit the shelves. This was a blow-molded bottle with an injection-molded cap. The first USA launch came in 1995 in the form of bottles for Brocanto International‘s Evanesce shampoo. PHBV was also tested for cosmetic containers such as lipsticks and creams. So the utility of PHBV in the beauty and health care market segments has already been demonstrated. In these early years, Japan also showed interest in PHBV. BIOPOL was introduced in 1991 as a container for Ishizawa Kenkyujo‘s Earthic Alga shampoos and conditioners. Before ICI terminated their activities, Biopol was also being considered by three more hair care companies. Kai was considering it for use in disposable razors with a Biopol handle. In the late 1990’s ICI’s BIOPOL PHBV technology was sold to Monsanto (having first been spun off to the ICI subsidiary Zeneca). After approaches into different markets, in 2001 Monsanto subsequently stopped activity on PHBV and sold the remaining intellectual property to Metabolix. The primary reason for this move was the price of manufacture for PHBV. In the 1990’s BIOPOL sold for $18 - $20 per kg. It was anticipated that with improved microorganisms and extraction technology the price could reach a minimum of $9 per kg at commercial scale. Tianan Biologic was convinced it could produce PHBV at a more economical cost. In 1999, they signed a cooperation agreement
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bioplastics MAGAZINE [02/09] Vol. 4