New Biodegradable Plastic Invention Leaves No Microplastics Behind

Researchers have recently developed a biodegradable plastic that contains no microplastics. It is still durable and can be fully recycled.

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Despite efforts to recycle or dispose of it responsibly, the vast ocean trash heaps continue to grow, and microplastics are increasingly finding their way into our food, bottled water, and even the air we breathe.

Researchers have recently developed a biodegradable plastic that contains no microplastics . It is still durable, and can be fully recycled.

Microplastics in the ocean (Photo: dottedyeti/Adobe).

The new material, called alkyl SP2 , is the result of a clever chemistry experiment. Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science created it by linking two monomers with reversible salt bridges.

Unlike many other biodegradable plastics that cannot decompose in salty environments, alkyl SP2 is capable of completely degrading within hours in seawater.

When buried in the ground, it takes only 10 days to decompose and also leaves behind nutrients for the soil such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Furthermore, this plastic does not contain microplastics so it does not leave behind any toxins.

The very valuable difference of alkyl SP2 is its flexibility and environmental safety. Like conventional plastics, it can be reshaped at temperatures above 120 degrees Celsius to suit different usage needs.

Its composition is non-toxic and derived from non-crude oil, making it a greener option than conventional plastics. Depending on the needs of use, manufacturers can adjust the chemical structure of this material to have the desired hardness or flexibility.

By not releasing microplastics, the new material addresses a significant drawback of current plastics. Initial tests with alkyl SP2 show that it can also be recycled efficiently, with over 80% of its components recovered using simple processes.

Despite its superiority, the price of this type of plastic is still higher than that of conventional plastic. In addition, because of its ability to decompose in seawater, it is not suitable for use in fishing equipment.

So it's not yet time to declare a 'win' in the war on plastic pollution, but alkyl SP2 is a hopeful step forward. By combining its eco-friendly strengths with its high recyclability, the material could pave the way for a more sustainable future.