Eco-friendly Plastic Household Items Transformed into Bio-based Materials

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Consumer interest in bio-based materials that can replace conventional chemical materials such as plastics is increasing. According to a survey by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute, 59.9% of domestic consumers, or 2 out of 3, responded that they have experience using eco-friendly certified products, with the highest demand found in household goods.

Bio-based materials widely used include bioplastics. These can be classified into two types: "biomass plastics" and "biodegradable plastics." Biomass plastic materials use plant-extracted raw materials such as sugarcane, and are characterized by a significant reduction in carbon emissions throughout all stages of product manufacturing (from pre-manufacturing, manufacturing, transportation, usage, to disposal). As carbon emission restrictions and reductions are mandated worldwide, the trend in Korea is also to actively utilize biomass plastics.

Seung Moonsoo, CEO of Cleanwrap, said, "The trend of 'conscious consumption' and 'good consumption,' which advocates valuable consumption, has taken root, increasing the demand for sustainable eco-friendly products."

Cleanwrap introduced its main products as an eco-friendly line for sustainable management. The eco-friendly Clean Bags, Clean Gloves, and Clean Roll Bags are biomass plastic products made from plant-based raw materials extracted from sugarcane, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 35% compared to conventional plastics throughout the entire production process, thereby preventing global warming and environmental pollution. They have been certified with the eco-friendly mark by meeting the Ministry of Environment’s EL727 certification standards for "reducing global environmental pollution impact" and "reducing harmful substances."

EcoMass, a bioplastic specialist company, launched biodegradable straws made from PBS (Polybutylene succinate), a biodegradable plastic material, instead of conventional plastic straws. The individual packaging material is also made from biodegradable plastic, and when buried in soil with a temperature of 60°C and 90% relative humidity, 90% decomposes within six months. Especially, while straws made from the existing PLA material can only be used up to a water temperature of 40°C, EcoMass expects that straws made from PBS, which have excellent heat resistance, can also be developed as coffee sticks.

Comex released the "Right Container Returning to Nature" last year, made from oxo-biodegradable plastic materials instead of conventional plastics. This product contains TGR®, an oxo-biodegradable raw material, and after disposal, it undergoes a 36-month biodegradation period, allowing the product to naturally decompose.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.