Technological watch
Bluepha and TotalEnergies Corbion collaborate advance sustainable biomaterials solutions in China
Mr. Teng Li (left) and Mr. Thomas Philipon (right) at Bluepha PHA Biorefinery exhibition hall © TotalEnergies CorbionBluepha Co. Ltd (“Bluepha”), the leading synthetic biology company in China, and TotalEnergies Corbion, a global leader in PLA technology, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to accelerate the market adoption of PLA/PHA-based solutions in China. The collaboration aims to bring together the expertise and resources of both companies to further advance the development of high-performance biopolymer solutions, combining Bluepha® Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) with Luminy® Polylactic Acid (PLA) technology.
“We are very excited about this collaboration with TotalEnergies Corbion,” said Dr. Teng Li, President & Co-founder of Bluepha. He continued: “TotalEnergies Corbion is a trustworthy partner and Bluepha® PHA mixed with Luminy® PLA would be as a Chinese saying ‘Adding wings to the tiger’. Together, the two companies can give more opportunities to our downstream partners and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
“By combining the complementary properties of these materials, we will significantly expand the application possibilities for brand owners seeking fully biobased material solutions,” said Thomas Philipon, CEO of TotalEnergies Corbion.
Under the terms of the MOU, Bluepha and TotalEnergies Corbion will jointly promote PLA and PHA market applications in China. Before the MOU signing ceremony, Thomas Philipon took a tour of the Bluepha PHA Biorefinery, which completed construction in October 2022 in Yancheng and recently began production of the Bluepha® PHA product.
Mr. Teng Li introduced Phase I of Biorefinery and future expansion plans to Mr. Thomas Philipon © TotalEnergies CorbionAbout BluephaBluepha is a purpose-driven company dedicated to molecular and material innovation based on synthetic biotechnology founded in 2016. We built our own specialized biology automation platforms to engineer microorganisms as a new way to design and manufacture molecules and materials that can provide better solutions to global sustainability and carbon neutrality. Bluepha® PHA is our first commercialized product, a type of biobased and biodegradable polymer made from annually renewable resources, offering a reduced carbon footprint versus conventional plastics. It has been put into commercial-scale production following the inauguration of a new production facility since 2022, BioFAB1, in Yancheng, with the capacity to produce 5,000 tonnes of Bluepha® PHA resins annually.
About TotalEnergies Corbion TotalEnergies Corbion (formerly known as Total Corbion PLA) is a global technology leader in Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and lactide monomers. PLA is a biobased and biodegradable polymer made from annually renewable resources, offering a reduced carbon footprint versus traditional plastics. The Luminy® PLA portfolio, which includes both high heat and standard PLA grades, is an innovative material that is used in a wide range of markets from packaging to consumer goods, fibers and automotive. TotalEnergies Corbion, headquartered in the Netherlands, operates a 75,000 tons per year PLA production facility in Rayong, Thailand and has recently announced the intention to build a second plant in Grandpuits, France. The company is a 50/50 joint venture between TotalEnergies and Corbion.
“We are very excited about this collaboration with TotalEnergies Corbion,” said Dr. Teng Li, President & Co-founder of Bluepha. He continued: “TotalEnergies Corbion is a trustworthy partner and Bluepha® PHA mixed with Luminy® PLA would be as a Chinese saying ‘Adding wings to the tiger’. Together, the two companies can give more opportunities to our downstream partners and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
“By combining the complementary properties of these materials, we will significantly expand the application possibilities for brand owners seeking fully biobased material solutions,” said Thomas Philipon, CEO of TotalEnergies Corbion.
Under the terms of the MOU, Bluepha and TotalEnergies Corbion will jointly promote PLA and PHA market applications in China. Before the MOU signing ceremony, Thomas Philipon took a tour of the Bluepha PHA Biorefinery, which completed construction in October 2022 in Yancheng and recently began production of the Bluepha® PHA product.
Mr. Teng Li introduced Phase I of Biorefinery and future expansion plans to Mr. Thomas Philipon © TotalEnergies CorbionAbout BluephaBluepha is a purpose-driven company dedicated to molecular and material innovation based on synthetic biotechnology founded in 2016. We built our own specialized biology automation platforms to engineer microorganisms as a new way to design and manufacture molecules and materials that can provide better solutions to global sustainability and carbon neutrality. Bluepha® PHA is our first commercialized product, a type of biobased and biodegradable polymer made from annually renewable resources, offering a reduced carbon footprint versus conventional plastics. It has been put into commercial-scale production following the inauguration of a new production facility since 2022, BioFAB1, in Yancheng, with the capacity to produce 5,000 tonnes of Bluepha® PHA resins annually.
About TotalEnergies Corbion TotalEnergies Corbion (formerly known as Total Corbion PLA) is a global technology leader in Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) and lactide monomers. PLA is a biobased and biodegradable polymer made from annually renewable resources, offering a reduced carbon footprint versus traditional plastics. The Luminy® PLA portfolio, which includes both high heat and standard PLA grades, is an innovative material that is used in a wide range of markets from packaging to consumer goods, fibers and automotive. TotalEnergies Corbion, headquartered in the Netherlands, operates a 75,000 tons per year PLA production facility in Rayong, Thailand and has recently announced the intention to build a second plant in Grandpuits, France. The company is a 50/50 joint venture between TotalEnergies and Corbion.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870292.
