In a world-first innovation, scientists at RIKEN and the University of Tokyo have created a new type of plastic that completely dissolves in seawater within hours and fertilizes soil within 10 days. Led by Dr. Takashi Nishikawa, the team crafted the material using sodium hexametaphosphate and guanidinium-based monomers—ensuring it’s not only biodegradable, but also nutrient-rich, releasing phosphorus and nitrogen to enhance soil health. No microplastics Non-toxic to marine life 91% recyclable Ideal for farming mulch, fishnets, and eco-packaging This is more than plastic — it’s a living material designed to vanish cleanly and give back to the planet. #JapanInnovation #BiodegradablePlastic #GreenTech #PlasticPollution #OceanSafe

In a revolutionary step toward ending plastic pollution, Japanese scientists have created a new biodegradable plastic that dissolves completely in seawater within hours and enriches soil within just 10 days. Developed by researchers at the RIKEN Center and the University of Tokyo, the material not only breaks down harmlessly—it releases nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, boosting soil fertility instead of harming ecosystems. The plastic uses salt-bridge chemistry, combining sodium hexametaphosphate and guanidinium-based monomers to form a structure that’s stable in normal use but degrades rapidly when exposed to marine or soil conditions. This dual-function design means it could be used in agriculture, fishing, or packaging without leaving a harmful trace. With recovery and reuse rates of over 80%, this innovation supports a circular economy and could drastically reduce the world’s reliance on harmful, persistent plastics. #BiodegradablePlastic #SustainableInnovation #OceanCleanup #SoilHealth #PlasticPollutionSolution