Frequently asked questions
FAQ
Below you'll find answers to the questions we're asked most often about our biosolutions and technology. If you don't find what you're looking for, our team is happy to help. Get in touch with us to learn more.
PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate)
What is PHA?
PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) is a family of biobased, biodegradable polyesters produced by microorganisms through fermentation. Unlike conventional plastics made from fossil resources, PHA is created naturally by several different types of naturally occurring bacteria, then extracted and processed for use in everyday products. Because PHA is fully biodegradable through natural microbial action, it leaves no persistent microplastic residues behind - unlike many conventional plastics and some other bioplastics.
How does Bioextrax produce PHA?
? Bioextrax applies a fermentation technology in which naturally occurring microorganisms convert renewable feedstock into PHAs. The polymer is then recovered through a patent biobased downstream extraction process and converted into a usable form for further processing.
What feedstocks can be used to produce Bioextrax's PHA?
Bioextrax's technology is designed to work with various renewable carbon sources such as sugars and vegetable oils. The platform is built to accommodate a range of feedstocks, allowing partner companies active in sectors ranging from sugar production to paper & pulp to adapt the process to locally available and sustainable raw materials.
Is Bioextrax's PHA biodegradable, and where?
Yes. PHA is biodegradable in multiple environments, including home composting, industrial composting, industrial composting, soil and marine conditions, depending on grade and certification. This makes it a genuine alternative to fossil-based plastics that persist in the environment for centuries.
Does Bioextrax's PHA leave microplastics behind?
No. Unlike plastics produced from fossil resources, PHA fully biodegrades into carbon dioxide, water and biomass when broken down by naturally occurring microorganisms, leaving no persistent microplastic fragments behind.
What is the difference between PHO and PHBV?
PHO (Poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate)) and PHBV (Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)) are two distinct types of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate), each produced by different microorganisms and each suited to different applications based on their mechanical and thermal properties. PHBV is a stiff, high-performance polymer with strong mechanical and barrier properties, comparable to conventional plastics such as PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene) and PET (polyethylene terephtalate). PHO, in contrast, is a soft, flexible and rubbery polymer with excellent elasticity, toughness and film-forming capacity. This makes PHBV better suited to rigid, structural applications, while PHO is better suited to flexible, elastomeric applications.
How does Bioextrax's PHA compare to other bioplastics such as PLA?
PHA generally offers broader biodegradability across environments, including marine and soil conditions, compared with PLA (polylactic acid), which typically requires industrial composting. In terms of material properties, PHA's flexibility can be tuned across a wide range, from rigid to soft and rubber like, depending on the specific type and composition, whereas PLA is inherently rigid and prone to brittleness. PHA also tends to have better barrier to moisture than PLA, which is more prone to absorbing water and degrading hydrolytically over time.
Does Bioextrax sell PHA material directly?
Bioextrax's core business is licensing its PHA and feather technologies to industry partners, enabling them to produce these materials at scale. However, Bioextrax offers direct materials sales for certain PHA grades as specified here https://www.bioextrax.com/pha-bioplastics.
Can Bioextrax's PHA be processed using plastic processing equipment?
Yes. PHA based materials are generally designed to be compatible with conventional plastics processing equipment, such as injection moulding and extrusion, minimising the need for new infrastructure.
What applications is Bioextrax's PHA suitable for?
Bioextrax's PHA technology is licensed for a range of applications. PHBV is aimed at more rigid applications such as packaging (straws, cutlery, toys, coffee capsules), barrier coatings and SPF boosters in sunscreen. PHO is aimed at flexible applications such as personal care, coatings, adhesives, chewing gum and artificial leather.
PHO (Poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate))
What does PHO stand for?
Poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate)
What are the typical applications for PHO?
PHO is being developed for applications where its specific material properties add value, including areas such as a film-former in personal care and adhesives, where partners are already exploring its use.
What are the key material properties of PHO?
PHO is a soft, flexible and smooth biopolymer with rubbery properties. It offers excellent elasticity, toughness and film-forming capacity, making it well suited to applications that require flexibility and durability.
PHBV (Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate))
What does PHBV stand for?
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate
What are the mechanical properties of PHBV compared to plastics produced with fossil resources?
PHBV offers a mechanical profile that can be tuned through the fermentation process, giving users flexibility depending on whether an application calls for greater rigidity or flexibility. PHBV can be produced as a stable water dispersion thanks to Bioextrax's chemical-free extraction process, which preserves the integrity of the PHA granules. This enables smooth integration into water-based processing such as coatings and barrier applications, while the underlying PHBV polymer offers a mechanical profile ranging from rigid to more flexible depending on formulation.
What are the typical applications for PHBV?
PHBV is suited to applications requiring biodegradable performance across a range of conditions such as marine, soil and home compost. Thanks to its stable water dispersion, PHBV is well suited to water-based processing applications such as barrier coatings and can also be used in more rigid formats including packaging (straws, cutlery, toys, coffee capsules) and as an SPF booster in sunscreen.
What is the problem with conventional SPF boosters, and what is Bioextrax’ solution?
SPF boosters increase the sun protection factor (SPF) of a sunscreen without increasing the amount of UV filter. Those used today are typically synthetic polymers such as PMMA or styrene/acrylates, which persist as microplastics once the sunscreen washes off. EU Regulation 2023/2055 is phasing synthetic polymer microparticles out of cosmetic products, creating a need for alternatives.
PHBV is biobased and biodegradable. Its spherical microparticles scatter UV light and enhance the filters already in a formulation, so the same SPF can be reached with less active filter, with biodegradation verified under OECD 301F.Feather Upcycling
How do Bioextrax’ protein hydrolysate differ compared to conventional hydrolysed feather meal?
Completely biobased process generating a material with improved digestibility and amino acid profile.
What happens to feather waste today, and how does Bioextrax's technology change that?
More than 40 million tons of poultry feathers are discarded globally each year, most of which is currently landfilled, incinerated or underused. Bioextrax's technology upcycles this waste into keratin microfibres and protein hydrolysate, turning an overlooked byproduct into valuable, usable materials.
What are keratin microfibres?
Keratin microfibres are the fibrous material recovered from feather waste through our hydrolysis process. They have a hollow cylindrical structure, which makes them lightweight and thermally stable, and gives them insulation, additive and barrier properties. They can be used in composites, agriculture, filtration, padding and textiles, among other areas. The microfibres are fully biobased and biodegradable.
What is protein hydrolysate?
Protein hydrolysate is a protein ingredient in which the protein has been broken down into smaller peptides and amino acids, making it easier for humans and animals to digest and absorb. Feathers consist of more than 90% protein, but most of this resource is currently discarded. Our process converts raw chicken and turkey feathers into a protein hydrolysate using bacteria. It is chemical free, preserves the natural amino acid profile, and produces a highly digestible protein ingredient suitable for food and feed applications.
Is Bioextrax's feather upcycling process chemical free?
Yes. Bioextrax's feather upcycling technology uses a biobased hydrolysis process, avoiding the harsh conditions typically used in traditional feather processing methods such as steam boiling and acid treatment.