BioEnergy International forms Myriant Technologies

BioEnergy International LLC recently formed Myriant Technologies LLC to further develop the company's biobased chemicals business. Myriant is headquartered in Quincy, Mass., and has a fully integrated 18,000 square-foot lab in nearby Woburn. The two will operate separately, serving different markets and customers. Myriant will encompass the same team of molecular biologists, engineers and chemists that developed BioEnergy's D (-) lactic acid, which is used in polylactic acid. The company began producing the acid on a commercial scale in June 2008. BioEnergy will continue its biofuels endeavors, including its 110 MMgy ethanol plant in Clearfield, Pa., slated for operation in January.