Transforming Biogas Methane into Biodegradable Polymers

Mango Materials is a Bay Area-based start-up that uses methane gas to produce biodegradable biopolymers that are economically and functionally competitive with conventional, oil-based plastics. Mango Materials produces powder or pellets of poly-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a valuable product that can be converted into a variety of high-margin or high-volume, environmentally friendly goods such as textiles, injection-molded packaging or other products, or films.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas often produced as a byproduct at sites such as wastewater treatment plants, landfills, and agricultural facilities. In this process, biogas methane is directly utilized as a feedstock for bacteria, which produce PHA intracellularly in a fermentation process. The PHA is then separated from the non-polymer cell mass and used in a variety of downstream applications.

Mango Materials’ process is unique in that it utilizes methane and is thus focused on gas fermentation. The process is currently being scaled up, and Mango Materials operates its Launch facility at a local wastewater treatment plant (Redwood City, CA).