Scientists in Japan have created a plastic that dissolves in seawater, according to the news report by BBC
The new material is said to break down rapidly within two to three hours, depending on its size and thickness.
Unlike many existing biodegradable plastics, which leave behind microplastics that can pollute oceans and threaten marine life, this new material completely disappears without leaving harmful remnants.
Developed through a collaboration between the University of Tokyo and the RIKEN Centre for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS), the innovative plastic is made by combining two small molecules that form a strong bond, giving the material its durability and flexibility.
While biodegradable plastics have been explored for years, the researchers claim their creation is far more efficient, dissolving much faster and leaving no trace behind. In tests using a seawater-like saline solution, the plastic dissolved within about two to three hours, depending on its thickness.
The material’s dissolving properties extend beyond just water. Takuzo Aida, the lead researcher at CEMS, noted that when tested in soil, a 5-centimeter piece of the plastic completely disappeared after just over 200 hours.
