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Could This Plastic Help Solve Ocean Pollution?

Mar 26, 2025 | Food

OUR TAKE

Only 9% of plastic is recycled, and with plastic production expected to triple by 2050, solutions are more critical than ever. In late Nov 2024, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on plastic pollution met for what was supposed to be their final meeting before reaching a deal on a new Global Plastics Treaty. The discussion centered around topics like phasing out problematic plastic products and designing reusable and recyclable ones, but ultimately they were unable to come to a consensus. That makes innovation even more crucial. At a time where there is little agreement at a global level, developments like these can help bridge the gap toward a more sustainable future.

Source Summary

IKEN, Japan’s largest research institution, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, has developed a plastic that completely dissolves in salt water within hours. The plastic was created by mixing two ionic monomers (sodium hexametaphosphate and guanidinium-based compounds) which formed a liquid with strong cross-linked salt bridges. When excess salt is removed from the liquid, it forms a durable plastic that is stable until exposed to saline environments. The result is a multi-purpose plastic that dissolves in seawater. It is also highly recyclable, with tests showing that 91% of the hexametaphosphate and 82% of the guanidinium are recoverable as powders after dissolving. The goal is for various industries, especially those that depend on single-use packaging, to adopt this new type of plastic as a way to combat marine pollution.

READ MORE: How RIKEN & University of Tokyo’s Dissolvable Plastic Works

[Sustainability Magazine]

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