Metabolix, Inc. (MBLX)

For those who still have patience for this, you will be rewarded sweetly. Beyond the environmental impact Mirel offers over petroleum-based plastic, it takes advantage of the increasing stigma of BPA/#7 plastics in the household towards a greener, safer solution. Technology will allow the price of Mirel to match sooner than you think.

Bioplastics is oil free plastic. If this takes off with everybody going green this could revolutionize everything.

1) Stock has been underpressure in the past year because of construction delays for its production facility in Iowa; that project is nearing completion and this stock isn't about a Q1 vs. Q3 opening... its about where it goes in 3-5 years.

2) Folks want to see MBLX sign up Coca-Cola (plastic bottles) or some other major plastic provider for its biodegradable plastic... but if they're smart they'll start at high-value add plastics (cosmetic cases, computer/printer cases, stuff Rubermaid makes etc.) first who can pay the freigh and as the pricing falls (what's that semi-conductor law -- Moore's Law?) it'll broader its market ...

No balance sheet issue,

We're trying to figure out how to move away from oil

This is a bio-degradable plastic -- PLASTIC! -- it breaks down in water/dirt to just water...huge long-term for dumps, air pollution, etc.

Best of all -- everyone is pricing MBLX like that's all this company is going to do -- the plastic technology is just a quick-to-market product that will serve as the cash cow to fund future projects -- they're real value add is not necessarily this plastic product but they ability to manipulate multiple genes at one time; it is THIS technology that is MBLX's real comptetitive advantage.

This is the next Genentech, Amgen, Biogen of its day.

MBLX is getting fairly close to opening its first large scale factory (Clinton, IA Phase 1). While the delays in construction and unbelievable incompetence in estimating construction costs have rightfully driven the price down, as they approach production MBLX is gathering good customers. The recent announcment of Newel-Rubbermaid as a client is exactly the sort of thing that should lead to upcoming announcements regarding the expansion of Clinton Phase 1. While the current 110M pounds per year capacity of Clinton 1 is boutique in plastics, the possible expansion to 440M lbs per year is interesting.

Beyond the demands that hopefully will be made by Newel-Rubbermaid, MBLX is uniquely situated to target a 4-6B lbs per year agricultural mulch/film business in that their product will compost in normal (non-industrial composting) soil. Currently this is a significant distinguishing trait and their current work with Penn State University in field tests will hopefully lead to a giant new market for their product.

Finally, I believe the promise in Switchgrass, Sugarcane, Oilseeds and some C4 Chemical applications are all more promising than the Mirel product line that is being launched with ADM.

This is the key to biofuels. You get an intermediate product--produce bioplastics and the leftover stuff is used for petroleum replacement chemicals...buy it and forget it. Plant coming on-line in April

plastics from non-petroleum based source (i.e. corn). Cool idea.

Currently, Metabolix Inc. & ADM are the only companies working on developing this product, that I know of. Mirel plastic can be used for hundreds of different applications making it very appealing to a wide spectrum of industries. With the drive to become less dependent on petroleum based products, Mirel will put Metabolix on the map. It won't be long after the start of production of Mirel plastic that plastic derived products we buy at the store will be stamped with a biodegradable symbol!

Recyclable plastics is the future. These guys have the best product.

as petroleum gets harder and harder to come by, a new base ingredient for plastic is needed

They are not making any money but they have a strong cash reserve, BUT they are working in an industry that is in vogue. The trend of the stock price seems to be on the upswing

natural plastic. What took us so long.

BioPlastics made from plants that decompose based on the manufacturer's specs?...... How can this not be the next big thing?

Business Week article convinced me. Advanced biodegradable plastic. Factory comes on line 2009, parterned with ADM.

this company was overpriced but its been beaten down enough. A sweep into power of democrats across the nation will open lots of new opportunities for environmentally-friendly companies like this.

to echo all others - pure spec play. colonelnelson hits all the bull macro indicators. of course they are burning through $$ and are just getting a product to market but i think all the green thumbs understand this too. laid off the beer for a few weeks and threw some real $ on it as well.

Shameless speculation on my part.

Their plastic product, while more expensive than some others, appears to be truly biodegradable. Building a factory with ADM doesn't hurt prospects either. High cost of oil should drive business towards greener and cheaper alternatives.

stable yet biodegradable bioplastics? Yum.

With all the interest in Green, this is a pure play for the long term. Number of very good patents not to expire any time soon! I expect to see very good long term exceptional growth , but may still be rocky for the near term! The $9 / sub $10 range may be the good entry point!