A Japanese research team has discovered a novel biodegradable plastic called poly(D-lactate-co-3-hydroxybutyrate) (LAHB) that can break down on the deep-sea floor. In a test 855 meters below the surface, LAHB films lost over 80% of their mass in 13 months, while conventional bioplastics remained intact. The team submerged LAHB films with different lactic acid compositions near Hatsushima Island, Japan, and found that they underwent rapid biodegradation, with surfaces cracked and covered with microbial biofilms. In contrast, a standard polylactide (PLA) film showed no weight loss or microbial colonization. The study suggests that LAHB could be a safer alternative to conventional plastics, with potential to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. The findings have significant implications for the development of ocean-safe materials and could support the transition to a circular bioeconomy. If produced at scale, LAHB could help reduce the persistent plastic load accumulating in the world’s oceans, providing a vital step towards mitigating marine pollution.
Japanese researchers have discovered a bioplastic that decomposes by approximately 80% even in the deep sea.
