Teknor Apex, a global leader in plastic material science solutions, announced today its strategic acquisition of Danimer Scientific, a prominent bioplastics company specializing in the development and production of biodegradable materials. This significant merger, unveiled on Tuesday, June 10, underscores Teknor Apex's deepening commitment to sustainable solutions and innovation within the material science industry.
The acquisition brings together two industry pioneers, both driven by a shared vision for a more environmentally responsible future. Danimer Scientific, headquartered in Bainbridge, Georgia, USA, boasts two facilities encompassing over 200,000 square feet of advanced laboratories, manufacturing capabilities, and testing space.
For more than a decade, Danimer has been at the forefront of creating renewable and sustainable biopolymers that result in biodegradable and compostable plastic products. Their cutting-edge biopolymers find applications in diverse sectors, including additives, aqueous coatings, fibers, films, hot-melt adhesives, and injection-molded articles. These materials are crucial for single-use, everyday products such as straws, cutlery, and packaging, offering viable alternatives to conventional plastics. Danimer's innovation is further evidenced by its impressive intellectual property portfolio, which includes over 480 granted patents and pending patent applications across more than 20 countries, covering a wide range of manufacturing processes and biopolymer formulations.
Despite the acquisition, Danimer Scientific will maintain its operational autonomy, continuing to function as a separate, dedicated entity under its existing name, team, and vision. This arrangement is expected to provide enhanced stability and confidence to the burgeoning polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) market, as well as to Danimer's valuable partners and stakeholders.
Don Wiseman, CEO of Teknor Apex, emphasized the importance of this acquisition. "Danimer's patented fermentation-based biopolymer manufacturing process significantly enhances our product portfolio, enabling us to tap into new markets and end-market applications," he stated. Wiseman highlighted Danimer's profound expertise in biopolymer resins, specifically polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and polylactic acid (PLA), alongside their extensive custom formulation know-how, as crucial assets in Teknor Apex's mission to advance environmentally responsible alternatives to traditional polymers.
Phil Van Trump, Chief Science & Technology Officer at Danimer, expressed optimism about the partnership. "This collaboration opens exciting avenues to accelerate our R&D efforts, scale our operations, and expand our reach to new customers and markets, all while staying true to our core mission of replacing traditional plastics with materials the planet can embrace," he remarked. Van Trump added that the backing of Teknor Apex will provide invaluable resources, stability, and strategic support to foster Danimer's growth and continue its vital work in reducing plastic pollution, enabling circularity, and powering the next generation of sustainable products.
