Japan: A good news has come from Japan for the world struggling with plastic pollution. Japanese scientists have developed a new revolutionary plastic, which dissolves completely in sea water in a few hours. This discovery is considered to be an important step towards environmental protection, which can free the oceans from plastic waste in the coming times.
The demo of this new plastic developed by scientists from RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science and Tokyo University was shown in a lab in Wako city, where a small piece of plastic dissolved completely in just an hour when put in salt water
Does not leave any toxic or harmful residue
According to scientists, this plastic dissolves many times faster than traditional biodegradable plastic. Not only this, it does not leave any toxic or harmful residue, which completely eliminates the possibility of microplastic formation.
Many sectors have shown interest in this plastic
Although the commercial use of this technology has not been announced yet, according to Takuzo Iida, the lead scientist of the project, "Many sectors including the packaging industry have shown keen interest in this plastic."
Does not release carbon dioxide when burned or decomposed
Iida explains that this new material starts breaking down in about 200 hours when dissolved in sea salt water as well as when it comes in contact with salt present in the ground. This plastic is non-toxic, non-flammable and does not release carbon dioxide when it is burned or decomposed.
Can be used with coating
This new material is as strong as traditional plastic and can be used with coating. Scientists are currently researching what could be the most effective way to coat it, so that its actual use can be more simple and safe.