Danimer Secures $400,000 USB Grant to Scale High‑Oleic Soybean Oil for Biodegradable PHA Production

After a successful one‑year collaboration with the United Soybean Board (USB), Danimer Scientific has been awarded a $400,000 grant to further investigate high‑oleic soybean oil (HOSO) as a sustainable feedstock for its Nodax polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics.

HOSO, derived from U.S. high‑oleic soybeans, offers superior functionality and longer shelf life, making it an attractive alternative to traditional oils such as canola. The funding will enable Danimer to scale up commercial production of Nodax, expanding its reach into packaging, straws, bottles, and flexible films that biodegrade safely in industrial compost, backyard compost, soil, and marine environments.

Danimer’s Winchester, Kentucky facility recently completed debottlenecking efforts, positioning the company to hit its target of 20 million pounds of Nodax‑based resins per year by the end of 2021. The new grant will accelerate the transition from pilot to commercial scale, ensuring a resilient supply chain and stronger bottom line.

“HOSO is readily available in the United States and presents a cost‑effective feedstock for Nodax production,” said Phil Van Trump, Danimer’s Chief Science and Technology Officer. “Our first‑year results are encouraging, and we look forward to expanding the commercial scale with USB’s support.”

Carol Leggett, Danimer’s Director of Microbiology, added, “The data confirm HOSO’s viability as a Nodax feedstock. Continued collaboration with Omni Tech International, SmithBucklin, and USB’s farmer members will be pivotal as we scale production.”

USB’s farmer‑director, Ed Lammers, emphasized the partnership’s impact: “Our 78 volunteer farmer‑directors work to maximize value for soybean growers. We’re excited to collaborate with Danimer on advancing soybean innovation.”