https://newatlas.com/materials/plastic-dissolves-ocean-overnight-no-microplastics/ * SUBSCRIBE * LOG IN * HOME * SCIENCE + Biology + Environment + Materials + Medical + Physics + Space + View all SCIENCE news + Biology + Environment + Materials + Medical + Physics + Space + View all SCIENCE news * TECH + AI & Humanoids + Consumer Tech + Energy + Manufacturing + Military + Robotics + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY news + AI & Humanoids + Consumer Tech + Energy + Manufacturing + Military + Robotics + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY news * TRANSPORT + Aircraft + Automotive + Bicycles + Marine + Motorcycles + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT news + Aircraft + Automotive + Bicycles + Marine + Motorcycles + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT news * LIFESTYLE + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE news + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE news * BODY & MIND + Medical Innovations + Wellness & Healthy Living + Illnesses and conditions + Brain Health + Medical Innovations + Wellness & Healthy Living + Illnesses and conditions + Brain Health (c) 2025 New Atlas New Atlas Logo Menu * HOME * SCIENCE + Biology + Environment + Materials + Medical + Physics + Space + View all SCIENCE news * TECH + AI & Humanoids + Consumer Tech + Energy + Manufacturing + Military + Robotics + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY news * TRANSPORT + Aircraft + Automotive + Bicycles + Marine + Motorcycles + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT news * LIFESTYLE + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE news * BODY & MIND + Medical Innovations + Wellness & Healthy Living + Illnesses and conditions + Brain Health * SUBSCRIBE * LOG IN Show Search [ ]Search Query Submit Search Materials New plastic dissolves in the ocean overnight, leaving no microplastics By Michael Irving March 27, 2025 * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * LinkedIn * Reddit Inline image / New Atlas New plastic dissolves in the ocean overnight, leaving no microplastics A sample sheet of the new biodegradable plastic A sample sheet of the new biodegradable plastic RIKEN View 2 Images A sample sheet of the new biodegradable plastic 1/2 A sample sheet of the new biodegradable plastic RIKEN An artist's impression of the new plastic, showing the strong bonds above the water and how they break down when submerged in saltwater 2/2 An artist's impression of the new plastic, showing the strong bonds above the water and how they break down when submerged in saltwater RIKEN Scroll for more Plastics are durable and strong, which is great while they're being used but frustrating when they end up in the environment. Scientists at RIKEN in Japan have developed a new type of plastic that's just as stable in everyday use but dissolves quickly in saltwater, leaving behind safe compounds. The benefit of plastics is that they're made with strong covalent bonds that hold their molecules together, meaning they take a lot of energy to break. This is why they're so sturdy, long-lasting and perfect for everything from packaging to toys. But those same strong bonds become a problem after the useful life of a plastic product is over. That cup you used once and threw away will sit in landfill for decades, even centuries, before it fully breaks down. And when it does, it forms microplastic pieces that are turning up in all corners of the natural world, including our own bodies, where they wreak havoc on our health in ways we're only just beginning to understand. RIKEN researchers have now developed a new type of plastic that can work just as well as the regular stuff when it's needed, and break down readily into safe compounds when it's not. It's made of what are known as supramolecular polymers, which have reversible bonds that function like sticky notes that can be attached, removed and reattached, according to the team. The team wanted to make a specific type of supramolecular polymer that would be strong enough for the usual uses of plastic, but could also be made to break down quickly when required, under mild conditions and leaving only non-toxic compounds. After screening a range of molecules, the researchers identified a particular combination that seemed to have the right properties - sodium hexametaphosphate, which is a common food additive, and monomers based on guanidinium ions, which are used in fertilizers. When these two compounds are mixed together in water, they form a viscous material that can be dried to form plastics. A reaction between the two ingredients forms "salt bridges" between the molecules that make the material strong and flexible, like conventional plastic. However, when they're soaked in saltwater, the electrolytes unlock those bonds, and the material dissolves. An artist's impression of the new plastic, showing the strong bonds above the water and how they break down when submerged in saltwater An artist's impression of the new plastic, showing the strong bonds above the water and how they break down when submerged in saltwater RIKEN In practice, the team found that the material was just as strong as normal plastic during use, and was non-flammable, colorless and transparent. Immersed in saltwater though, the plastic completely dissolved in about eight and a half hours. There's one major hurdle with any degradable plastic material of course: what if it comes into contact with the catalyst for its destruction before you want it to? A plastic cup is no good if certain liquids can dissolve it, after all. In this case, the team found that applying hydrophobic coatings prevented any early breaking down of the material. When you eventually want to dispose of it, a simple scratch on the surface was enough to let the saltwater back in, allowing the material to dissolve just as quickly as the non-coated sheets. While some biodegradable plastics can still leave behind harmful microplastics, this material breaks down into nitrogen and phosphorus, which are useful nutrients for plants and microbes. That said, too much of these can be disruptive to the environment as well, so the team suggests the best process might be to do the bulk of the recycling in specialized plants, where the resulting elements can be retrieved for future use. But if some of it does end up in the ocean, it will be far less harmful, and possibly even beneficial, compared to current plastic waste. A paper describing the research was published in the journal Science. Source: RIKEN Tags MaterialsPlasticPlasticsOcean plasticsPlastic wasteMicroplastic BiodegradableRIKENJapanSalt-waterEnvironmentally-friendly * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * LinkedIn * Reddit 5 comments Michael Irving Michael Irving Michael has always been fascinated by space, technology, dinosaurs, and the weirder mysteries of the universe. With a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and several years experience under his belt, he joined New Atlas as a staff writer in 2016. Most Viewed * Subaru is now the most reliable car brand Automotive Toyota and Lexus no longer most reliable carmakers, says Consumer Reports * The plasma chamber of the WEST Tokamak reactor Energy France runs fusion reactor for record 22 minutes * The proposed Yarlung Tsangpo Hydroelectric Project will produce three times as much electricity as the Three Gorges Dam, pictured here Energy The largest hydroelectric dam in the world has been approved Load More 5 comments Sign in to post a comment. Please keep comments to less than 150 words. No abusive material or spam will be published. Alan March 27, 2025 08:24 PM "RIKEN researchers have now developed a new type of plastic that can work just as well as the regular stuff when it's needed, and break down readily into safe compounds when it's not" --- Yet another great sounding invention that will probably take decades to make it to market, if it makes it at all. How do we change this problem? SteveMc March 28, 2025 04:43 AM One problem that comes to mind: sweat is salt water, so carrier bag handles may be a weak spot for this new product. Hydrophobic coatings are toxic are they not? When this coated plastic alternative dissolves, the remainder of the hydro-coating will do what exactly? This is not a dig at this, just genuine questions :) Tech Fascinated March 28, 2025 04:53 AM Sounds promising if other challenges like cost and production can be solved. windykites March 28, 2025 05:26 AM Steve: Don't make bag handles out of the new plastic! Also don't make swimming costumes out of it! LOL Is it only microplastics that can get onto the bloodstream? I would imagine they are inert. The particles must be very minute. Calcfan March 28, 2025 01:22 PM While developments like is are nice to read about the most critical aspect was not covered. What is the cost?. That will always be the limiting factor. Saving comment... [ ] Post New Atlas Logo FREE NEWSLETTER Over 190,000 people receive our email newsletter. Get your daily dose of extraordinary ideas! Subscribe Google News Logo * HOME + SUBSCRIBE + FEATURES + REVIEWS + ABOUT + ADVERTISE + TERMS + PRIVACY + CONTACT + RSS + FAQ * SCIENCE + Biology + Environment + Materials + Medical + Physics + Space + Quantum Computing * TECHNOLOGY + AI & Humanoids + Computers + Consumer Tech + Drones + Energy + Home Entertainment + Manufacturing + Military + Music + Robotics + Telecommunications + Virtual Reality + Deals * TRANSPORT + Aircraft + Automotive + Bicycles + Marine + Motorcycles + Urban Transport * LIFESTYLE + Architecture + Around the Home + Children + Collectibles + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + Outdoors + Pets + Remarkable People + Tiny Houses + 20th Anniversary * BODY & MIND + Illnesses and conditions + Brain Health + Medical Innovations + AI in Health + Imaging & Diagnostics + Medical Devices + Psychedelics + Wellness & Healthy Living + Aging Well + Diet & Nutrition + Fitness & Exercise + Sleep Follow Us * twitter * instagram * pinterest * flipboard * facebook * linkedin (c) 2025 New Atlas