Short summary:

Osaka University has announced the guidelines for material design to equip thermoplastics with a marine biodegradation function, and developed blending and compounding technology that enables fine tuning of the properties required in plastic products. We have established the “MBBP Development Platform,” which will aim to develop and popularize marine biodegradable plastic products based on this technology, and will work together to develop products beyond the boundaries of the field of industry.

Description:

　Plastic has enriched our daily lives with its characteristics such as its low cost, light weight, high designability and compatibility ascribed to its flexible formability, etc. While it has been used in a wide range of fields thanks to its durability and resistance to rotting, it has caused various environmental problems because of its resistance to decomposition in the natural environment. In recent years, marine pollution caused by plastic has become increasingly serious around the world, and more than 9 million tons of plastic waste are discharged from land into the ocean every year. It has been reported that the quantity of marine plastic waste will exceed that of fish by 2050. A worldwide movement has begun recently to reduce the one-way use of plastic, including plastic shopping bags, for which fees are now being charged.
　In order for us to continue to use plastic in the future, it is necessary to change existing plastics into those that can coexist with the earth. In March 2020, Osaka University successfully developed a composite sheet with excellent marine biodegradability from inexpensive and familiar materials such as starch and cellulose. This outcome was reported on TV and made headlines in the media.
　In order to develop and popularize marine biodegradable plastics that can coexist with the earth, they must have an equivalent performance and price competitiveness to that of existing plastics. Thus, Osaka University has announced the guidelines for material design to equip thermoplastics with a marine biodegradation function, and worked on the development of blending and compounding technology that enables fine tuning of the properties required in plastic products. This technology leads to the production of master batches/compounds of Marine-Biodegradable Biomass Plastics (MBBP).
　We have established the “Marine-Biodegradable Biomass Plastics (MBBP) Development Platform,” which will aim to develop and popularize marine biodegradable plastic products based on this technology, and will work together to develop products beyond the boundaries of the field of industry.
　We can provide the following materials and technology that we own to companies and organizations that participate in the platform:
･ Material design for the addition of marine biodegradability
･ Thermoplastic starch pellets
･ Biodegradable plastic blending technology => physical property fine tuning
･ Environment-friendly filler compounding technology => improved physical properties
　The guidelines of this platform are consistent with SDGs. Concrete actions are needed now if we want to leave a beautiful earth to our descendants. We look forward to having many companies participate in the MBBP Development Platform.

Benefits:

Sea

Benefits Description:

We aim to contribute to resource recycling and the circular economy through the active use of biomass, and solve the problem of marine plastics by equipping plastic products with marine biodegradation functions.

Technology type:

Process, Material

Developed in:

Japan

DEVELOPMENT STATUS:

Readiness level (TRL)
Technology optimization / prototype validated in operational environment (TRL 7)

Collaboration partners
41 entities including domestic or foreign companies and public research institutes (See MBBP website above）

CONDITIONS FOR USE:

Collaboration type
R & D contract or research collaboration

Available technical assistance
Materials, Documentation

State of Development / Opportunity / Seeking:

・Available for exclusive and non-exclusive licensing
・Exclusive/non-exclusive evaluation for defined period (set up for options)
・Collaborative/supportive research

※Seeking
1. Development partner
2. Licensing　

Marine-Biodegradable Biomass Plastics（MBBP) Website:

http://www.chem.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp/mbbp/about.html

WIPO GREEN Database Website:

https://wipogreen.wipo.int/wipogreen-database/database

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