SEOUL, June 8 (Korea Bizwire) — The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Tuesday it will begin a project to develop a new technology that uses Sargassum horneri and other marine plants to produce biodegradable plastic material.
The ministry, along with a research team at Pohang University of Science and Technology, plans to develop a new technology that uses a strain that doesn’t require preliminary processing to produce biodegradable plastic material such as itaconic acid, 3-HP and lactic acid by 2026.
It also plans to develop a separate technology that combines monomers to acquire plastic properties, which will supplement the shortcomings of eco-friendly plastic that has weaker plastic properties than petroleum-based plastic.
The project will use invasive algae called Sargassum horneri. Each year, 24 tons of Sargassum horneri grow to pose a problem in the country, and its use will help the environment, government officials said.
Image Credit: Shinan County Office / National Institute of Fisheries Science / photonews@koreabizwire.com
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