Dr. Chris. Schwier, polymer development expert, joins Oakbio Inc. Advisory Board

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug. 14, 2012 - Oakbio Inc. today announced that Chris Schwier, PhD., an expert in commercial development of bioplastics, joined the Advisory Board. Oakbio's system uses bioreactors to create bioplastic using inputs of cement plant flue gas and electricity. Dr. Schwier brings nearly 30 years of experience leading all aspects of engineering thermoplastic product development and launch. The last six years he worked on bioplastic product development (with PHAs or polyhydroxyalkanoates), as Director of Product Development at Metabolix Inc.  Previously he was Director of Nylon Technology at Solutia Inc.  Dr Schwier is a member of the American Chemical Society and the Society of Plastics Engineers.  He received his Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from MIT.

“Bioplastics represent a tremendous commercial opportunity for Oakbio’s system. Bioplastics are a growing market worldwide, representing an ideal large tonnage product target for our process, capturing CO2 gas from industrial emissions and converting it into chemical value,” adds Russell Howard, Oakbio’s CEO.  “Dr. Schwier will aid Oakbio formulate bioplastics with compositions and properties that will meet high market demands.  We are very pleased to welcome him to the team”. Howard, who created and spun out industrial chemicals and bio-fuels company Codexis from Maxygen, both NASDAQ listed, is a pioneer in development of non-petroleum, non-foodstock derived chemicals and fuels.

About Oakbio, Inc.
Oakbio is a private technology-based company in Sunnyvale dedicated to sustainable production of specialty chemicals using novel microbial production processes that combine GHG reduction with manufacture of sustainable specialty chemicals (see.www.oakbio.com).
Media Contact:  Russell Howard, CEO, Oakbio, (408) 930-7004; rhoward@oakbio.com