Tokyo, Japan – June 7, 2025: In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, have created a new kind of biodegradable plastic that not only dissolves in seawater but also enhances soil fertility. This innovation could revolutionize the global fight against plastic pollution.
Led by Dr. Takashi Nishikawa, the Japanese research team introduced a plastic made from sodium hexametaphosphate (a food-safe additive) and guanidinium-based monomers. These components form salt bridges to maintain structural integrity — until the material encounters water.
🔬 Key Features of This Breakthrough:
- Dissolves in seawater within hours, leaving no microplastic trace.
- Breaks down in soil in about 10 days, releasing essential nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen.
- Non-toxic, non-flammable, and carbon-neutral decomposition.
- Up to 91% of materials can be recovered and reused, supporting a circular economy.
This eco-friendly plastic offers immense potential across multiple sectors. In agriculture, it could replace harmful plastic mulch films and be used for seed coatings. In marine applications, it presents a sustainable alternative to traditional fishing gear, helping combat ghost gear pollution. It also paves the way for biodegradable food containers, packaging, and cutlery.
As plastic pollution reaches alarming levels globally, this innovation could mark the beginning of a new era in environmentally friendly materials — supporting both sustainability and productivity in agriculture and marine conservation.
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