The global demand for reducing resin use has increased due to concerns over environmental impact, like marine plastic pollution, depletion of petroleum resources, and global warming. The United Nations has set Sustainable Development Goals, including one aimed at the efficient use of natural resources and another trying to prevent and reduce marine pollution.
Since 2015, Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic HD) has been working on reducing the use of petroleum-derived resins. In 2019, Panasonic HD developed a composite processing technology that incorporates cellulose fiber at a concentration of 55%. In 2021, the company further advanced the technology to increase the amount of cellulose fiber up to 70%, and in March 2022, it reached more than 90% biomass content.
In December 2022, Panasonic HD further enhanced the biodegradability of this material in natural environments by developing a fully biodegradable molding material using plant-derived resins (such as polylactic acid).
This week, the company announced a new molding material with complete marine biodegradability by incorporating highly concentrated cellulose fiber derived from plants into resins. By adding plant-derived cellulose fiber at high concentrations to marine biodegradable resins, the molding material has suitable mechanical properties and biodegradability.
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In marine environments, molding material that is completely biodegradable in soil is difficult to decompose. By modifying mixing and molding technologies, Panasonic HD has developed this molding material with 100% biomass content that has complete marine biodegradability —and comparable strength to polypropylene (PP) used in durable applications.
The new material is available as white pellets that can be colored as needed.
Panasonic plans to start selling pellets by 2027 and aims to leverage its unique properties for many applications, including household appliance casings, automotive parts, consumer goods, and beverage and food containers.
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