A Hope for the Oceans — New Japanese Soluble Plastic That Doesn't Pollute and Dissolves in 10 Days Promises Effectiveness in Combating Marine Pollution

A Hope for the Oceans — New Japanese Soluble Plastic That Doesn’t Pollute and Dissolves in 10 Days Promises Effectiveness in Combating Marine Pollution

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 24/03/2025 at 22:32

Imagem representativa. Foto: IA

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A Group of Scientists Developed a Type of Marine Water-Soluble Plastic That Does Not Leave Microplastics. The Invention Is Seen as a Landmark in the Fight Against Ocean Pollution

A water-soluble plastic that can completely degrade in seawater without generating microplastics has been developed by Japanese scientists. The advance comes from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) and represents a possible solution to one of the planet’s largest environmental problems: marine pollution caused by plastic waste.

Currently, plastic is the most prevalent waste in the oceans. According to data released by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, 85% of marine waste is plastic. In total, it is estimated that there are about 200 million tons of these materials in the oceanic environment.

Part of this waste turns into microplastics, particles that harm ecosystems and end up entering the food chain.

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A New Class of Plastic

The material created is made from supramolecular polymers. More specifically, the team combined two ionic monomers: one based on guanidine and another on sodium hexametaphosphate. Together, they form cross-linked salt bridges that ensure strength and flexibility to the plastic.

These chemical bonds are selectively irreversible, meaning they remain stable until exposed to electrolytes present in seawater. When this happens, the material begins to decompose.

Takuzo Aida, the leader of the research, explained that the main discovery was creating these bonds that remain intact until they come into contact with the marine environment. He emphasized that desalination was an essential step in the process. Without it, the result was a brittle crystal, unsuitable for any practical application.

Biodegradable, Strong, and Safe

The new plastic, named alkyl SP2, underwent a series of tests. The results showed that it is strong, resistant to high temperatures, malleable, and at the same time, biodegradable, recyclable, and non-toxic. Additionally, it is non-flammable.

In contact with seawater, alkyl SP2 completely dissolves in up to 10 days. During this process, the material releases phosphorus and nitrogen—essential nutrients used in fertilizers—which can have a positive effect on the environment, according to the scientists.

Takuzo Aida highlighted that this creation represents a new family of plastics. In addition to all the technical advantages, the main benefit would be the end of the generation of microplastics, the biggest problem causing marine pollution, affecting various species and impacting human consumption.

Various Possible Applications

Alkyl SP2 can be molded at temperatures above 120°C, like other thermoplastics. This means that it can be used in different sectors. The research team claims that the material is scratch-resistant and can be produced with different textures and strengths, as needed.

For example, it can be molded to have a consistency similar to silicone or, if necessary, to be as rigid as other industrial plastics. Moreover, it is compatible with 3D printing, which further expands its use, especially in areas like medicine and health.

This flexibility is possible due to the modification of guanidine sulfates during the manufacturing process. This allows researchers to adapt the properties of the plastic according to the type of desired use.

The research results were published in the journal Science, one of the most respected in the scientific field. For the authors, the development of alkyl SP2 represents a milestone in combating plastic pollution.

According to them, the material’s ability to degrade both in water and soil, without leaving harmful residues, could transform the global plastic industry. The goal now is to advance in the practical application of the technology and explore the commercial possibilities of this new material. The project shows that it is possible to create sustainable solutions without compromising performance and safety.

With information from Interesting Engineering.

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A Hope for the Oceans — New Japanese Soluble Plastic That Doesn’t Pollute and Dissolves in 10 Days Promises Effectiveness in Combating Marine Pollution

A Group of Scientists Developed a Type of Marine Water-Soluble Plastic That Does Not Leave Microplastics. The Invention Is Seen as a Landmark in the Fight Against Ocean Pollution

A New Class of Plastic

Biodegradable, Strong, and Safe

Various Possible Applications

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