U.S. firm joins Toyota in biodegradables effort.Diversified Natural Products, Inc. (DNP DNP n. Deoxyribonucleoprotein; a complex of DNA and protein that usually yields DNA upon cell disruption and isolation. DNP 2,4-dinitrophenol. ) in East Lansing, Mich., is partnering with a unit of Japan's Toyota Corp. to explore use of biodegradable polymers in automotive applications. DNP owns patents and operates fermentation plants in the U.S. and Sweden for bacterial conversion of natural plant sugars into succinic acids and esters. These potentially could be used to make biodegradable polyesters. DNP v.p. Matt Peabody says polyesters made by this route exhibit better flexibility and low-temperature toughness than do existing biodegradable polyesters such as PLA (Programmable Logic Array) A type of programmable logic chip (PLD) that contained arrays of programmable AND and OR gates. PLAs are no longer used. See PLD. (language, music) Pla - A high-level music programming language, written in SAIL. , which is made from starch-derived lactic acid lactic acid, CH3CHOHCO2H, a colorless liquid organic acid. It is miscible with water or ethanol. Lactic acid is a fermentation product of lactose (milk sugar); it is present in sour milk, koumiss, leban, yogurt, and cottage cheese. . DNP's derivatives are already used to make super-absorbent polymers. DNP's new partner is a group led by Toyota Tsusho Corp. (TTC TTC Trying To Conceive TTC Toronto Transit Commission TTC Trans Texas Corridor TTC Toutes Taxes Comprises (French) TTC Trident Technical College (North Charleston, SC) TTC Temporary Traffic Control ) of Nagoya, Japan, which develops technologies for making environmentally friendly automotive materials. Toyota views PLA and bio-polyester blends as promising options for automotive fabrics, soft interior skins, and moldings. "We are ready to commercialize our products, and with Toyota Tsusho's help we hope to do it quickly," says Paul Jacobson, DNP's CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. . DNP: (517) 332-4610, www.dnpco.com |
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