At a glance
| Booth | S7137 |
| Country | JP |
| Website | www.kaneka.co.jp/en |
Company profile
Kaneka began developing PHBH during the early 1990s. At the time, pollution of the world's oceans with micro-plastic was not gaining global recognition as an environmental issue, prompting us to launch the project out of a desire to provide an environmentally friendly solution that was not dependent on oil resources. As Kaneka's researchers were visiting various sites around the world as part of their search for microorganisms that could be used to create a polymer, they found a microbe that could create PHBH right at home, in soil at the Takasago Manufacturing Site! However, the newly discovered microorganism could only be used to create small quantities of PHBH. Even if a microorganism suitable for use in mass-producing PHBH could be developed, they were still facing significant difficulties to put it into practical use. The company eventually became the first in the world to industrialize PHBH through a series of trial and error attempts that brought together the proprietary polymer technology and biotechnology that Kaneka has developed over many years. Today, we're working to ramp up production to commercial levels. KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ can be processed for use in various applications, PHBH listed in the Plastic Implement Measure of the European Commission for all food types In addition to cutleries (for TO GO), the straws have been adopted for use in all Starbucks shops in Japan. ※Straws will be introduced in Okinawa Prefecture from January 23, 2025, then gradually rolled out to all locations across Japan from March onwards. Toothbrushes and hairbrushes are used in the rooms and amenity bars of hotels operated by Tokyu Hotels & Resorts. Straws made from KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ are used for “SEVEN CAFÉ” run by Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.
Capabilities and products
- Green Planet biodegradable polymer
- PHBH biodegradable polymer development
- first in the world to industrialize PHBH
- straws adopted by all Starbucks shops in Japan
- straws used for Seven-Eleven SEVEN CAFÉ