Teijin Frontier, the Teijin Group’s fibers and products converting company, has developed a practical polylactic acid (PLA) resin that biodegrades faster in oceans, rivers and soil compared to conventional PLA products. By adding a new biodegradation accelerator to the polymer, Teijin Frontier has improved its biodegradation rate without impairing strength, moldability or other practical properties.
The new PLA resin is expected to help reduce microplastics thanks to its accelerated biodegradation rate as well as reduce CO2 emissions during product lifecycles since it is made from plant-derived raw materials.
Teijin Frontier will begin producing and selling pellets, injection- and extrusion-molded products, textiles and non-woven fabrics made with its new PLA resin in fiscal 2023 (ending in March 2024), targeting sales of several hundred million JPY by fiscal 2026.
PLA resins, which are generally made from plant-derived ingredients and are biodegradable, are used in a wide range of products due to their high crystallinity and practicality. Although biodegradation performance is acceptable under hot, humid compost conditions, the rate is slowed down greatly in oceans, rivers and soil, resulting in the presence of residual microplastics for long periods of time. Until now, attempts to improve biodegradability have impaired the strength and other practical properties of these products.
Under Teijin’s ‘Think Eco’ environmental initiative, the company is striving to improve its environmental value by developing greener materials and products for applications ranging from clothing to industrial materials.
