Research Institute in Mie Obtains Patent for Biodegradable Plastic Film

The Mie Prefectural Science and Technology Promotion Center, located in central Japan, announced on January 25, 2005 that it obtained a patent on January 7 for an environment-friendly plastic film developed by its Industrial Research Institute. This plastic film decomposes naturally through the action of sunlight and rainwater.

The film is produced by combining a new macro-molecular material derived from lignin extracted from wood with polylactic acid derived from cornstarch. In recent years polylactic acid has attracted attention as a biodegradable plastic.

The Institute found that the lignin derivative is decomposed by light. Taking advantage of this and other properties, it has successfully developed a new plastic film that keeps its strength while being more biodegradable than conventional biodegradable films.

This eco-friendly plastic film is on exhibit at the 2005 World Exposition, being held in Aichi Prefecture from March 25 to September 25. This Expo exhibit can be seen at the Mie Prefectural booth in the Chubu Community for Millennial Symbiosis pavilion, which is jointly run by nine prefectural governments from the Chubu (Central Japan) region.



Posted: 2005/06/07 11:10:40 AM
Japanese version