Biodegradable plastics (image: CJ Cheiljedang)
SEOUL, June 29 (Korea Bizwire) — CJ Cheiljedang Corp., South Korea’s leading food manufacturer, has succeeded in producing certified biodegradable plastic for the first time in the country.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Wednesday that CJ Cheiljedang’s biodegradable plastic (PHA) showed outstanding performance in a series of official tests, receiving a test completion certificate from the Korea Conformity Laboratories.
Biodegradable plastic is designed to decompose by more than 90 percent in soil or water. In the past, assessment of a plastic’s biodegradability and ecotoxicity in soil or water has typically been completed overseas.
The ministry believes that the recent success of domestic tests will expedite research and development (R&D) process for biodegradable plastic and offer savings on certification costs to give a boost to the industry.
CJ Cheiljedang began mass production of PHA that is comprised of 100-percent biomass, and is biodegradable in a marine environment. The company has also become the world’s first company to commercialize aPHA, an amorphous, rubber-like plastic material.
CJ Cheiljedang plans to increase production of PHA to 65,000 tons by 2025.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
