Panasonic’s bioplastic breakthrough, strong enough for cars
Panasonic Holdings has developed a plastic material that is degradable in seawater and is strong enough to be used for automotive interiors and home appliances, looking to market the material in two years.
Current biodegradable plastics have been limited to use in thin products, such as bags and drinking straws. They are also susceptible to damage from water and external pressure, making them unsuitable for products that are used for long periods of time.
Panasonic said it has enhanced the material's strength by homogeneously processing plant fibers and resin from plant oils. When developing the material, the company leaned on its experience producing automotive products like stereos and navigation systems. It envisions the material being used for automotive interiors, as well as home appliances.
Given the low heat resistance of biodegradable plastics, the company said it is carefully considering specific applications.
The new material will offer a wide range of opportunities for everyday products. Panasonic says it can be used for thicker items such as cups and buttons. A cup made of this material, for instance, can hold water for an entire day without degrading.
"This is one of the world's first ocean-degradable materials that also has a certain level of strength," a company representative said.
Panasonic will showcase the material at the CES technology trade show in Las Vegas that opens Tuesday.
The material received certification as an ocean-degradable plastic from the Japan BioPlastics Association. Testing of the material confirmed about 90% decomposition in seawater within two years, according to Panasonic. The company plans to price the new material about 1.5 to 2 times higher than its conventional counterparts.
Bioplastics are seeing a broadening range of applications. Starbucks Coffee Japan is set to switch to straws made from a bioplastic material from Japanese manufacturer Kaneka at 32 stores in Okinawa this month. There are plans to expand their use to over 1,900 locations across Japan in March.
The coffee chain introduced paper straws in 2020, but some customers complained that they affected the taste of drinks.
The global market for biodegradable plastics will more than double from an estimated $7.38 billion in 2023 to $16.96 billion by 2030, according to research company Global Information.
