To protect the global environment for future generations,
KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ will help make the world healthy by resolving the issue of marine micro-plastic.
*The progress of biodegradation depends on the environment like temperature and microorganisms in seawater.
Green Planet™ is a brand name of PHBH(Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)) developed by Kaneka
The Key to Biodegradation
PHBH is produced by a microorganism fermentation process in which bio based oils are used as primary raw materials.
It is eventually decomposed into CO2 and H2O through the digestive process of microorganisms existing in the environment.
Kaneka achieved excellent biodegradability not only in soil, but also in seawater, which had been a difficult challenge.
Development Story
Kaneka began developing PHBH during the early 1990s. At the time, pollution of the world's oceans with micro-plastic was not gaining global recognition as an environmental issue, prompting us to launch the project out of a desire to provide an environmentally friendly solution that was not dependent on oil resources.
As Kaneka's researchers were visiting various sites around the world as part of their search for microorganisms that could be used to create a polymer, they found a microbe that could create PHBH right at home, in soil at the Takasago Manufacturing Site! However, the newly discovered microorganism could only be used to create small quantities of PHBH. Even if a microorganism suitable for use in mass-producing PHBH could be developed, they were still facing significant difficulties to put it into practical use.
The company eventually became the first in the world to industrialize PHBH through a series of trial and error attempts that brought together the proprietary polymer technology and biotechnology that Kaneka has developed over many years.
Today, we're working to ramp up production to commercial levels.
Widespread Uses
Toothbrushes and hairbrushes are used in the rooms and amenity bars of hotels operated by Tokyu Hotels & Resorts.
Adopted for to-go orders forks, knives, muddler spoons, and yogurt spoons.
Straws made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ are used for “SEVEN CAFÉ” run by Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.
In April 2019, we launched a collaborative project to develop cosmetics containers made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™.
Adopted for telescopic straws in 250 ml paper cartons of “Oi Ocha Green Tea”, “Oi Ocha Roasted Green Tea”, and “Healthy Mineral Barley Tea.
Adopted for the spoons mostly are provided together with lunch boxes, rice bowls or soup.
Adopted for shopping bags at Naha Airport Store operated by JALUX.
Adopted for the straws are provided in cafes adjoined to their directly-managed stores.
Collaborative promotion of initiatives to realize a sustainable society, such as promoting the use of KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™.
Contributing to sustainable town planning with KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™.
Plastic is a convenient and essential part of our daily lives,
but it often ends up in the oceans due to a failure to process it properly,
leading to adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health.
We believe that worldwide use of products made of KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™
which is biodegradable* in seawater,
will help safeguard the Earth's environment by resolving the problem of micro-plastic pollution
in the world's oceans.
Kaneka will help make the world a healthier place through the power of KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™.
*The progress of biodegradation depends on the environment like temperature and microorganisms in seawater.
News releases and news from 2018 are listed as below:
Kaneka created an Environmental Education Program using Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet
Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet selected by Kobelco Kobe Steelers Rugby Team
In-flight Sales Shopping Bags made from Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet selected by JAL
Confectionary product made from Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet selected by Bourbon
Spoons made from Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet selected by Heiwado
Toothbrushes made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet selected by Tokyu Hotels
FamilyMart spoons made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet expand its rollout area
KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet Selected by ASICS Japan for Use in Shoulder Shopping Bags
Straws made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet to be launched in DAISO 100-yen shops
Kaneka Signs Official Partnership Agreement with Kashima Antlers
Spoons made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet are adopted in FamilyMart
KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet is adopted in shopping bags for JALUX
Straws made from Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet are adopted in FamilyMart
Straws made from Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet are adopted in THE NORTH FACE cafes
Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer PHBH used in Shiseido’s cosmetics packages
Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer PHBH applied to straws for Seven Café’s new lineup
Completion of Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer PHBH Plant with annual production of 5,000 tons
Target area expanded for Seven Café straws made from Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer PHBH
Kaneka issues the first green bond by a chemical company in Japan
Trials begin of Seven Café straws made with Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer PHBH
Providing various products using Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer PHBH to the G20 Osaka Summit
Kaneka Corporation and Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. Co-Developing
Kaneka’s Biodegradable Polymer listed in the Plastic Implement Measure of the European Commission
Kaneka received the Technical Award of the Society for Biotechnology, Japan
Kaneka enhances its biodegradable plastic manufacturing capacity
*“KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer” and “PHBH” are registered trademarks of Kaneka Corporation.
*We changed our product name to "KANEKA biodegradable Polymer Green Planet" from the former " KANEKA biodegradable Polymer PHBH".
