Japanese researchers have unveiled a new plastic that fully dissolves in seawater within hours, offering a promising solution to the escalating crisis of ocean pollution and microplastics.
A research team in Japan has developed a breakthrough plastic that disintegrates in seawater in as little as two to three hours, potentially revolutionizing the fight against marine pollution. The innovation, co-developed by the University of Tokyo and Japan’s premier research institute RIKEN, retains the strength of conventional petroleum-based plastics but vanishes in saltwater without leaving harmful residues.
The plastic is made by bonding two ionic monomers to form a salt-based structure that remains strong in normal use but breaks down in saline conditions. Once exposed to seawater, the material dissolves into its original monomers - compounds that can be further digested by naturally occurring bacteria.
“When we place it in an aqueous solution with the same salt concentration as seawater, it dissolves quickly in about two to three hours, depending on its thickness and size,” said lead researcher Takuzo Aida, Group Director at RIKEN’s Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS). “Essentially, it returns to its monomer components.”
In a demonstration at RIKEN's Wako City lab near Tokyo, a small sheet of the plastic visibly disappeared in saltwater after light agitation, underscoring the material’s potential.
Aida emphasized that many so-called biodegradable plastics do not fully decompose and instead contribute to harmful microplastic pollution. In contrast, their newly developed plastic avoids that outcome.
The development comes amid dire warnings from the UN Environment Programme, which predicts plastic pollution will triple by 2040, with 23–37 million metric tons entering oceans annually. In 2020 alone, an estimated 2.7 million metric tons of microplastics - tiny fragments under 5mm - entered the environment, harming both marine ecosystems and human health.
Microplastics have been detected in the human brain, arteries, and various organs, sparking global concern over their long-term impact.
While commercialization plans have yet to be finalized, Aida said there is growing interest, particularly from Japan’s packaging industry, which relies heavily on plastics. "If we can really manage to reduce that, we can expect less environmental damage,” he noted.
Currently, only about 9% of the world’s plastic waste is recycled, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable alternatives.
A U.S. appeals panel has rejected Apple’s request to pause a ruling that restricts the tech giant from charging commissions on in-app purchases made outside its payment system—delivering a major blow to the company in its long-running legal fight with Epic Games.
President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation reinstating a travel ban that restricts entry to the United States for citizens of 12 countries, citing national security threats and inadequate vetting processes.
In a historic move, President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing their involvement in cases targeting U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Israeli officials over alleged war crimes.
Albania’s Parliament has approved a bilateral agreement to enhance security cooperation and provide long-term support to Ukraine, marking a new phase in Tirana’s alignment with Kyiv amid ongoing regional instability.
In a sweeping new proclamation issued late Wednesday night, President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on the enrollment of new Chinese and other foreign students at Harvard University.
A U.S. appeals panel has rejected Apple’s request to pause a ruling that restricts the tech giant from charging commissions on in-app purchases made outside its payment system—delivering a major blow to the company in its long-running legal fight with Epic Games.
President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation reinstating a travel ban that restricts entry to the United States for citizens of 12 countries, citing national security threats and inadequate vetting processes.
In a historic move, President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing their involvement in cases targeting U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Israeli officials over alleged war crimes.
Albania’s Parliament has approved a bilateral agreement to enhance security cooperation and provide long-term support to Ukraine, marking a new phase in Tirana’s alignment with Kyiv amid ongoing regional instability.
In a sweeping new proclamation issued late Wednesday night, President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on the enrollment of new Chinese and other foreign students at Harvard University.
As peace talks progress, voices from Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Baku reveal hopes, concerns, and expectations for a future shaped by trade, trust, and generational change in the South Caucasus.
A bridge collapse in the Vygonichsky district of Russia’s Bryansk region, near the Ukrainian border, caused a train derailment and a traffic accident early Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 30 injured, according to emergency services.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a third targeted attack against the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, early Tuesday morning, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture early Monday, causing no reported injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued, officials confirmed.
Federal authorities have arrested 14 suspects in Los Angeles linked to an Armenian organized crime ring accused of stealing $30 million in COVID relief and Small Business loans intended to support American taxpayers.
The NGO Ocean Cleanup, in collaboration with the Guatemalan government and local communities, has installed the largest trash barrier to date on the Motagua River. This major effort aims to capture and remove vast amounts of garbage before it reaches the sea.
A surge of over 200 wildfires across Canada has forced tens of thousands to evacuate, with smoke drifting into the U.S. Midwest, triggering health alerts and affecting daily life on both sides of the border.
Prosecutors in Brazil have filed a lawsuit to annul a $180 million carbon offset agreement signed by the state of Para, citing legal and ethical violations in the high-profile rainforest conservation initiative backed by major global firms.
Europe is facing yet another climate-driven drought, with hotspots like Spain, Cyprus, and Greece under severe alert. Hydropower, agriculture, and tourism are already feeling the pressure after an unusually hot spring.
EU climate advisers are urging the bloc to stay firm on its 2040 climate target, warning that shortcuts could jeopardize long-term progress.
A U.S. appeals panel has rejected Apple’s request to pause a ruling that restricts the tech giant from charging commissions on in-app purchases made outside its payment system—delivering a major blow to the company in its long-running legal fight with Epic Games.
President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation reinstating a travel ban that restricts entry to the United States for citizens of 12 countries, citing national security threats and inadequate vetting processes.
In a historic move, President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing their involvement in cases targeting U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Israeli officials over alleged war crimes.
Albania’s Parliament has approved a bilateral agreement to enhance security cooperation and provide long-term support to Ukraine, marking a new phase in Tirana’s alignment with Kyiv amid ongoing regional instability.
In a sweeping new proclamation issued late Wednesday night, President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on the enrollment of new Chinese and other foreign students at Harvard University.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment