Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), a bioscience company focused on developing sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, announced today that it has received a Grant from the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). The award will be used by Metabolix to further enhance biobased, biodegradable resins suitable for blow molding operations.

According to the American Plastics Council over 2 million tons of HDPE plastic per year is used for blow molded bottles, containers and other products, and are major components of the traditional petroleum-based plastics manufacturing industry. “These products are suitable for replacement by biobased, biodegradable materials,” said Dr. Oliver Peoples, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Metabolix. “This USDA award will fund a program designed to produce advanced formulations of bioplastic for use on commercial scale equipment running at manufacturing speed.”

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), such as those contained in the Mirel™ family of bioplastics currently being commercialized by Telles, the Metabolix and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) joint venture, are made by the biological conversion of agricultural feedstock. Advances in PHA formulation and processing technology developed in an earlier phase of this project demonstrated the feasibility of blow molding Mirel bioplastics at laboratory scale. This program seeks to improve Mirel formulations with the necessary physical properties required for blow molded parts at industrial scale.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, CSREES focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future.

About Metabolix

Founded in 1992, Metabolix, Inc. is an innovation driven bioscience company focused on providing sustainable solutions for the world’s needs for plastics, chemicals and energy. The Company is taking a systems approach, from gene to end product, integrating sophisticated biotechnology with advanced industrial practice. Metabolix is now developing and commercializing Mirel™, a family of high performance bioplastics which are biobased and biodegradable alternatives to many petroleum-based plastics. Metabolix is also developing a proprietary platform technology for co-producing plastics, chemicals and energy, from crops such as switchgrass, oilseeds and sugarcane.

For more information, please visit www.metabolix.com. (MBLX-G)

About Telles

Metabolix and Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) are commercializing Mirel through a joint venture called Telles. Mirel bioplastics are available for injection molding, blown and cast film, and cast sheet applications. The first commercial-scale plant to produce Mirel bioplastic resins is being constructed adjacent to ADM's corn wet mill in Clinton, Iowa.