November 12, 2024 – Teijin Frontier Unveils Revolutionary BIOFRONT®PLA Resin for Enhanced Biodegradability
Teijin Frontier, a renowned global chemical company, has recently announced the launch of its latest innovation, BIOFRONT®PLA (polylactic acid) resin. This groundbreaking biodegradable resin demonstrates superior decomposition capabilities in natural environments, such as oceans, rivers, and soil, surpassing traditional PLA and offering a novel approach to tackling plastic pollution.
The development of BIOFRONT®PLA involves the incorporation of a novel biodegradation accelerator, which significantly enhances the resin’s hydrolysis rate. This enables bacteria and fungi to decompose the material more efficiently, without compromising its structural strength, crystallinity, or processability. Unlike conventional PLA, which requires high temperature and humidity for decomposition, BIOFRONT®PLA degrades rapidly in natural settings, even in waters and soils with low microbial density.
Through precise control of the accelerator’s dosage and configuration, Teijin Frontier has achieved fine-tuned regulation of PLA’s decomposition time, catering to specific requirements for material lifespan across various applications. This innovation not only promises to substantially reduce plastic pollution, particularly microplastics, but also provides the industry with a more environmentally friendly material option.
BIOFRONT®PLA resin boasts a wide range of applications, being processable like traditional PLA polymers. It is suitable for films, injection-molded products, extrusions, and fibers for textiles and nonwovens. Its excellent compatibility ensures manufacturing efficiency and product quality, making it a preferred alternative for industries seeking to minimize their environmental impact.
Furthermore, BIOFRONT®PLA resin stands out with its plant-based raw materials and accelerated degradation properties, contributing to significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions compared to petroleum-derived plastics. Over its lifecycle, it aligns closely with global goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a circular economy.
Currently, BIOFRONT®PLA is fully commercialized and available in both Japanese and global markets. Teijin Frontier expresses its commitment to continuing research and development in biodegradable materials, aiming to further mitigate the negative environmental effects of plastics. The introduction of BIOFRONT®PLA marks a significant step forward for Teijin Frontier in the realm of sustainable and biodegradable materials worldwide.