Technology development typically begins with a breakthrough
research innovation. However, before the technology can enter the market,
its commercial viability must be demonstrated. The gap between an early-stage
innovation and its commercial viability is a critical one. MBI helps
innovators and bio-based companies bridge that gap.
MBI has assembled a multi-disciplinary team of scientists
and engineers, as well as the required pilot-plant facilities, to work
collaboratively with partners like DuPont to address the risks associated
with bringing bio-based technologies to market. MBI also provides connectivity
with both Michigan State University and the broader research community
to solve complex problems.
MBI fits a unique niche in the marketplace. Virtually
all bio-based technology developments that come from the lab need to
go through a "process development and scale-up" stage to determine
commercial viability. MBI refers to the process of demonstrating the
viability of technologies as “de-risking”. De-risking can
determine whether commercial quantities of the product will be made
at the appropriate price point and quality level. Once theuncertainties
or risks associated with early technological developments are addressed
via de-risking, a company like DuPont is better positioned to make product-related
investment decisions.
Lactech was initially a joint venture between Cargill,
Inc. and MBI. Engineering, scale-up and applications research for production
of lactic acid and PLA biodegradable plastics technology were conducted
at MBI and MSU with collaboration and support of Cargill Inc., one of
the world's largest agribusinesses.
This biodegradable polymer is broadly in use around
the world in both plastics and fibers in clothing and carpets, containers
for food and garbage bags, car parts, etc.
"MBI played an important role in
assisting in the research and development that demonstrated
the technical and commercial feasibility of the technology.
Cargill selected MBI to help in the development of the initial
technology because of its unique capabilities and facilities.
MBI is one of the only facilities that could
effectively develop this new technology. It formed a joint venture
with Cargill and carried out a detailed development role in bringing
this technology to the point where Cargill felt justified in investing
in continued development."
— James Stoppert, former
President & CEO, Cargill Dow LLC
Synthon Corporation developed an innovative process
to produce 3-hydroxybutyrolactone, a critical intermediate for the blockbuster
cholesterol-lowering statin drug, Crestor. Early research was licensed
from Michigan State University for development at MBI. This early success
led to the acquisition of Synthon's technology by Avecia.
Evercorn, Inc. was a successful joint venture between
an MBI subsidiary and Japan Corn Starch (one of Japan's leading starch-based
industrial products company) to develop a family of polymer resins that
are processed into films and moldable products for disposable use applications.
These polymers are strong, water-resistant thermoplastics. These product
applications are used in disposable cutlery, plastic containers, and
paper coatings. Evercorn's biodegradable products were featured at the
Nagano Olympic Games.
GENE-TRAK, Inc. worked with MBI to develop a reliable
bacterial fermentation process to produce a protein used in amplification
of an RNA probe. Previous fermentation runs had proven to be unreliable.
MBI was contracted for scale-up, and successfully
delivered a fermentation and recovery process at 500-liter scale within
six-months. This development allowed GENE-TRAK to commercialize their
product effectively.
"MBI's commitment to the development
and production of our product is exemplary. Recently, we
had an immediate need for more product to support some internal
initiatives. I had the protein in my laboratory within two
weeks of a simple phone call."
DuPont