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2023/12/21

Plant-derived Compostable Polymer BioPBS Acquired Marine Biodegradability Certification from the Japan BioPlastics Association

The Mitsubishi Chemical Group (the MCG Group) announced that its plant-derived compostable polymer "BioPBS" acquired certification in November 2023 as a marine biodegradable biomass plastic under the marine biodegradable plastic identification and labelling system established by the Japan BioPlastics Association (JBPA).

JBPA’s marine biodegradable plastic identification and labelling system was implemented in July 2023 and adopts the positive list system in which plastic products are certified and registered upon confirming the product’s marine biodegradability and safety. A product is certified as a marine biodegradable biomass plastic if it includes 25% or more biomass plastic. The MCG Group’s BioPBS FD92* grade acquired the marine biodegradable biomass plastic certification.

BioPBS is a plant-derived compostable polymer developed by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, which owns the basic patent, and manufactured by PTT MCC Biochem Company Limited, which is a fifty-fifty joint venture of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited in Thailand. The polymer is decomposed into water and carbon dioxide by microorganisms found in nature. In addition, compared to other compostable polymers, it shows excellent performance such as low-temperature heat sealability and flexibility, and therefore is increasingly being used in food packaging, cutlery, fishing equipment, etc.

The MCG Group will take this opportunity of having gained certification to further expand the usage of BioPBS, and will continue to not only provide high value-added and performance products but will also contribute toward the realization of a sustainable society.

*FD92 is the grade number of polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA)

Reference
Japan BioPlastics Association’s marine biodegradable plastic identification and labelling system (Japanese)
http://www.jbpaweb.net/identification/identification-marinebiodegradable/index.html

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