It is biodegradable, nontoxic, biocompatible plastic produced naturally by bacteria and a good alternative for many non-biodegradable synthetic polymers.

PHBV is synthesized by bacteria as storage compounds under growth limiting conditions.

Thus PHBV can be made to resemble either polypropylene or polyethylene by changing the ratio of monomers.

[5] PHBV find its application in controlled release of drugs, medical implants and repairs, specialty packaging, orthopedic devices and manufacturing bottles for consumer goods.

[10] PHBV has a low thermal stability and the cleavage occurs at the ester bond by β elimination reaction.

PHBV, being biodegradable, biocompatible and renewable, is a good alternative for synthetic nonbiodegradable polymers made from petroleum.