--- title: Dissolving plastics pollution description: New plastic that dissolves in seawater image: https://betterworld.solutions/hubfs/Plastic_420-1.jpg --- Together as business leaders, we can make a difference. 'Heroes of Net Zero' [Follow Us](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-rea-8961b617/detail/recent-activity/posts/) [![](https://betterworld.solutions/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bw-theme/images/bw-logo-01.svg)](https://betterworld.solutions/) - - [Why we are taking action](https://betterworld.solutions/statement) - [Real World Examples](https://betterworld.solutions/examples) - [Net Zero Training](https://betterworld.solutions/net-zero-sustainability-training) - [Create your own Policy](https://betterworld.solutions/form) - Menu Menu # Dissolving plastic pollution ![Plastic_1337](https://betterworld.solutions/hs-fs/hubfs/Plastic_1337.jpg?width=2000&height=1113&name=Plastic_1337.jpg "Plastic_1337") Japanese scientists aim to tackle the huge problem of microplastics in the ocean with a new material that biodegrades in seawater. The goal is to reduce the impact of microplastics – fragments less than 5mm across – that are now present in the air we breathe and every corner of the planet including remote regions of the deep ocean and the Arctic. Takuzo Aida, a materials scientist who heads the Emergent Soft Matter Function Research Group at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science in Wako, Japan says they have developed a new material that dissolves in seawater without leaving contaminants. The Wako scientists say this could be a new path to reducing plastics pollution, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with burning plastics. Microplastic contaminants are known to cause a range of problems in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, including slowing the growth of animals, which impacts fertility and causes organ dysfunction. The new plastic being developed is a culmination of three decades of pioneering in supramolecular polymers which have weaker, reversible bonds than conventional plastics “like sticky notes that you can attach and peel off,” explains Aida. These supramolecular polymers have the ability to 'self-heal' when broken and then pressed back together. Takuzo Aida’s team set out to discover a combination of compounds that would create a supramolecular material with good mechanical strength, but that can break down quickly under the right conditions into non-toxic compounds and elements. Aida had a specific reaction in mind, one that would lock the material’s molecular bonds and could only be reversed with a specific ‘key’—salt. After screening various molecules, the team found that a combination of sodium hexametaphosphate (a common food additive) and guanidinium ion-based monomers (used for fertilizers and soil conditioners) formed ‘salt bridges’ that bind the compounds together with strong cross-linked bonds. These types of bonds serve as the ‘lock’, providing the material with strength and flexibility, explains Aida. Read more [https://www.riken.jp/en/news\_pubs/research\_news/rr/20250327\_1/index.html](https://www.riken.jp/en/news_pubs/research_news/rr/20250327_1/index.html) Photo by [Nick Russill](https://unsplash.com/@nickruss?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/a-pile-of-seaweed-on-a-rocky-beach-_GPbp3nL6EU?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash) ### **Explore** If enough businesses act, together we can slow down or help to prevent Global Warming. [![](https://betterworld.solutions/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bw-theme/images/footer-panel/footer-panel-3.png)](https://betterworld.solutions/examples/c02-savings-in-mechanical-seal-usage) ### **A Summary of Evidence** We estimate that widespread adoption of more climate-friendly policies in industry globally, could have the equivalent impact of taking [630.5 million](https://betterworld.solutions/examples/c02-savings-in-mechanical-seal-usage) cars off the roads. [![](https://betterworld.solutions/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bw-theme/images/footer-panel/footer-panel-2.png)](https://betterworld.solutions/examples) ### **Real World Examples** Just a few examples where we have the know-how to do things differently and help both the environment and the bottom line. [![](https://betterworld.solutions/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bw-theme/images/footer-panel/footer-panel-1.png)](https://betterworld.solutions/form) ### **Create your Policy** The case for a great return on investment, from water and energy savings is very clear. "Adopt an [Investment Policy to Prevent Global Warming](https://betterworld.solutions/form)". ### Popular Links - [Video Diary Box Set](https://betterworld.solutions/video-diary-box-set) - [CO2 Summary Table](https://betterworld.solutions/examples/c02-savings-in-mechanical-seal-usage) - [Steam Turbines Case Study](https://betterworld.solutions/examples/c02-savings-in-mechanical-seal-usage/refineries-steam-turbines#video-case-study) - [Pulp & Paper Calculations](https://betterworld.solutions/examples/c02-savings-in-mechanical-seal-usage/pulp-and-paper-plants) - [Betterworld Newsletter](https://betterworld.solutions/newsletter) - [Net Zero Training](https://betterworld.solutions/net-zero-sustainability-training) ![Betterworld Solutions logo white](https://betterworld.solutions/hubfs/raw_assets/public/bw-theme/images/betterworld-solutions-logo-1.png) The AESSEAL plc [Investment Policy to Prevent Global Warming](https://betterworld.solutions/form) is a business-friendly investment policy intended to encourage all stakeholders in any organisation to bring sustainability projects that match the stated aim of that organisation’s policy, to the attention of the right people. Follow us on social media  https://betterworld.solutions is made in association with AESSEAL plc | Registered office address - AESSEAL plc, Global Technology Centre, Bradmarsh Business Park, Mill Close Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 1BZ | Registered in the UK, Company Number 2101607 | You can find the group [Privacy & Cookie Policy here](https://betterworld.solutions/privacy-policy) . - [Home](https://betterworld.solutions/) - [Why we are Taking Action](https://betterworld.solutions/statement) - [Create your own Policy](https://betterworld.solutions/form) - [A Summary of Evidence](https://betterworld.solutions/examples/c02-savings-in-mechanical-seal-usage) - [Real World Examples](https://betterworld.solutions/examples) - [Video Diary Box Set](https://betterworld.solutions/video-diary-box-set) - [Betterworld Newsletter](https://betterworld.solutions/newsletter) - [Net Zero Training](https://betterworld.solutions/net-zero-sustainability-training) - [Real World Examples](https://betterworld.solutions/examples) - [Renewable Energy](https://betterworld.solutions/examples?f=renewable) - [Waste Reduction](https://betterworld.solutions/examples?f=waste) - [Water Savings](https://betterworld.solutions/examples?f=water) - [Power Conservation](https://betterworld.solutions/examples?f=power) - [Lowering Emissions](https://betterworld.solutions/examples?f=lowering) - [Recycling](https://betterworld.solutions/examples?f=recycling) × ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Reg Rea", "url" : "https://betterworld.solutions/examples/author/reg-rea" }, "dateModified" : "2025-06-04T13:37:11.375Z", "datePublished" : "2025-06-04T12:24:24.000Z", "headline" : "Dissolving plastics pollution", "image" : [ "https://betterworld.solutions/hubfs/Plastic_420-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://betterworld.solutions/examples/dissolving-plastics-pollution", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://betterworld.solutions/hubfs/aesseal_branding/AESSEAL-text-logo.jpg" }, "name" : "AESSEAL plc" } } ```