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How does KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ make the world healthy?

KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer
Green Planet™ is
100% biomass-derived polymers
that are biodegradable* even in seawater.

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.

What Kaneka can do to protect the limited nature

Green Planet™ is a brand name of PHBH(Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)) developed by Kaneka

  1. 01

    The Key to
    BiodegradationWHAT

    The Key to Biodegradation

    Making it possible
    to achieve biodegradable
    properties in seawater
  2. 01

    Development StoryHOW

    Development Story

    First company to successfully
    mass-produce PHBH
  3. 01

    Widespread UsesFUTURE

    Widespread uses

    KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer
    Green Planet™ can be processed for
    use in various applications.

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.

2017
Obtained “OK Biodegradable Marine” certification*The certification is applied to certain grades.
Lifecycle of PHBH
Lifecycle of PHBH
image
Biodegradation behavior in seawater
From left:
Before biodegradation, after 24 days, after 61 days, after 88 days *Results are based on internal data and do not guarantee degradation in seawater.

Development Story

PHBH that has accumulated in the body of micro-organisms
PHBH that has accumulated
in the body of micro-organisms
Fermenters for mass production
Fermenters for mass production

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

KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ can be processed for use in various applications,
from straws, shopping bags, cutlery and food packaging.
Going forward, we will accelerate the development of various applications.

2019
PHBH listed in the Plastic Implement Measure of the European Commission for all food types

Case studies and Examples of collaborative development projects

  • Tokyu Resorts & Stays Co., Ltd.
    Toothbrushes and hairbrushes made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™

    Toothbrushes and hairbrushes are used in the rooms and amenity bars of hotels operated by Tokyu Hotels & Resorts.

    For more details
  • Starbucks Coffee Japan, Ltd.
    forks, knives, muddler spoons, and yogurt spoons made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™

    Adopted for to-go orders forks, knives, muddler spoons, and yogurt spoons.

    For more details
  • Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.
    Straws made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ at “SEVEN CAFÉ””
    Straws made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ at “SEVEN CAFÉ”

    Straws made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ are used for “SEVEN CAFÉ” run by Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.

    For more details
  • Shiseido Company, Ltd.

    In April 2019, we launched a collaborative project to develop cosmetics containers made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™.

    For more details
  • ITO EN, Ltd.
    Telescopic straws 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.

    For more details
  • FamilyMart Co., Ltd.
    Spoons made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™

    Adopted for the spoons mostly are provided together with lunch boxes, rice bowls or soup.

    For more details
  • JALUX Inc.
    Shopping bags made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™

    Adopted for shopping bags at Naha Airport Store operated by JALUX.

    For more details
  • Goldwin Inc.
    Straws made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™

    Adopted for the straws are provided in cafes adjoined to their directly-managed stores.

    For more details

Partnerships

  • October 21, 2021, Kaneka Signs Official Partnership Agreement with Kashima Antlers
    Kaneka signs Official Partnership Agreement with Kashima Antlers
    ©KASHIMA ANTLERS

    Collaborative promotion of initiatives to realize a sustainable society, such as promoting the use of KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™.

    For more details
  • November 25, 2021, Kaneka and Kameoka City in Kyoto Prefecture enter into the Kameoka Future Creation Environmental Partnership Agreement
    Kaneka and Kameoka City in Kyoto Prefecture enter into the Kameoka Future Creation Environmental Partnership Agreement

    Contributing to sustainable town planning with KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™.

    For more details

What Kaneka can do
for the future

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.

Contact us

Green Planet Project, Kaneka Corporation
Email :

Product Page

Topics

News releases and news from 2018 are listed as below:

Related Videos

TV Commercial broadcasted in Japan since 2018

PHBH is also featured as part of Japan's innovative technologies to address global issues by the Japanese government.

Green Planet has been selected by the Green Innovation Fund to further reduce its environmental imapct.

*“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".