Breakthroughs in biodegradable material technologies

Biodegradable plastics can be composted or recycled, reducing waste and enabling reuse in systems like composting facilities, aligning with circular economy goals of minimizing environmental impact.

Cellulose, extracted from plant fibers like wood or hemp, is used in biodegradable films and packaging, offering eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based plastics.

In 2025, researchers from RIKEN and the University of Tokyo developed a plastic from food additives that dissolves in seawater in hours, releasing nutrients and avoiding microplastics.

Magnesium-based alloys degrade safely in the body over months, ideal for temporary bone implants, as they corrode into nontoxic byproducts, unlike permanent titanium implants.

EcoPure® is an additive that enhances plastic biodegradation in landfills by promoting microbial activity, reducing decomposition time while maintaining material strength.

Mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, is grown with agricultural waste to form biodegradable packaging, decomposing in weeks, as pioneered by startups like Roha Biotech.

Polylactide (PLA), made from lactic acid in crops like corn, is a biodegradable polymer used in compostable bags and food packaging, breaking down in industrial composting facilities.

3D printing enables tailored biodegradable implants and packaging, minimizing waste and allowing complex designs, as seen in polylactide (PLA) scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Algae-based plastics reduce reliance on food crops like cornstarch, offering faster biodegradation and sustainability, as they utilize non-food biomass and absorb CO2 during growth.

Chitosan, a derivative of chitin from crustacean shells, is biodegradable, nontoxic, and used in medical applications like sutures and drug delivery due to its biocompatibility.