Scientists make new plastic that dissolves in water in a few hours

Plastic pollution remains one of the most serious environmental challenges facing the world today. It is not only contaminating our oceans but also entering the food chain, and shockingly, microplastics have been found in the placentas of unborn babies. Traces of plastic pollution have even reached the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean.

In a promising development, scientists in Japan have created a new type of degradable plastic material that may significantly reduce plastic pollution in oceans and soil.

Developed by researchers from the RIKEN Centre for Emergent Matter Science and the University of Tokyo, the new plastic mimics the strength of petroleum-based plastics. However, unlike conventional plastics that take between 20 to 500 years to decompose, this innovative material breaks down in salty water within a much shorter timeframe.

During a demonstration at a laboratory in Wako City near Tokyo, scientists showed how the material dissolved in salty water within about an hour. When exposed to salt, the plastic breaks down into its original components, which are then naturally processed by bacteria in the water. Crucially, the process leaves behind no microplastic or nanoplastic particles—a major concern with traditional plastics.

The new material also shows promising functional properties:

• It is non-toxic to humans

• It has fire-resistant capabilities

• It does not release carbon dioxide during decomposition

Although salt is also found in soil, decomposition underground takes longer. Researchers estimate it takes around 200 hours for the material to break down in soil.

Not Yet Commercial, But Industry Interest Is Growing

While the material is not yet ready for commercial use, the research team, led by Takuzo Aida, is actively developing a coating method to make the product market-ready. The project has already attracted significant interest from stakeholders in the packaging industry, signaling the potential for real-world applications in the near future.

According to the UN Environment Programme, plastic pollution is expected to triple by 2040, with between 23 to 37 million metric tons of plastic waste projected to enter the oceans annually.

Adding to the urgency, a 2023 study published in the journal Nature revealed that India accounts for one-fifth of global plastic pollution. The country burns approximately 5.8 million tonnes of plastic per year, and an additional 2.5 million tonnes are released into the land, air, and water as debris—making India the highest plastic polluter in the world.