Our Product
Sustainable and Versatile —
Biodegradable Thermoplastics
from 100% Biobased Sources
Our Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biodegradable thermoplastic made entirely from plant-based raw materials. It combines marine biodegradability* with high elasticity and strength, making it ideal for applications that demand both environmental performance and mechanical durability. As a next-generation solution, it opens up new possibilities for uses that conventional biodegradable plastics could not support.
* The rate of biodegradation varies depending on seawater temperature and environmental conditions.
Applications in Food Containers,
Cosmetics, and More
Key Features of PHB
Feature 01
Our high-molecular-weight PHB offers higher elasticity and heat resistance compared to conventional types.In addition, its processability and impact resistance can be improved by combining it with additives tailored to specific applications.
Feature 02
When blended with Polylacticacid (PLA), commonly used in microwave-safe food containers, PHB improves heat resistance and prevents warping during heating.
Feature 03
Our powder-type PHB can be tailored in particle size and shape, making it suitable for products like cosmetic powders that require softness and smoothness.
* Images are for illustrative purposes only.
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We offer a range of PHB materials with varied viscoelastic and strain-hardening characteristics, available in pellet or powder form to suit your specific needs. Reach out to us for more information or samples.
Our Challenge
Addressing Social Issues
Combating Marine Plastic Pollution with Advanced PHB Technology!
The origin of marine biodegradable resins dates back to 1925 when Dr. Lemoigne at France's Pasteur Institute discovered PHB. Initially, PHB was hard and brittle with a narrow difference between melting and thermal decomposition temperatures, presenting significant challenges for practical applications. However, in the mid-1970s, a British chemical company worked to address these issues and successfully commercialized PHB in shampoo bottles. Since then, advancements in copolymerization technology have led to the development of "Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)" with lower melting points and improved flexibility. Nevertheless, copolymerization has introduced new challenges such as slower crystallization rates making processing difficult, and physical property degradation due to secondary crystallization after molding.
Our Solution
Innovative Solutions from KH Neochem
Leveraging KH Neochem's Heritage and Expertise to Create High-Performance Marine Biodegradable Fibers
Our roots lie in the successful large-scale production of acetone and butanol through fermentation in 1948. To update our foundational cultivation technology, we established the "KH i-Lab" open innovation facility in Kawasaki City, collaborating with universities, startups, and biofoundries to advance cutting-edge technology development. Our PHB, produced through fermentation-based cultivation, demonstrated faster degradation than cellulose—a widely used representative biodegradable material—in marine-mimicking tests, as shown in the figure on the right. Drawing on expertise cultivated in the functional materials business of our petrochemical operations, we offer marine biodegradable resins that deliver high stretch processing capabilities, excellent strength, superior user experience, and long-term stability in product packaging—all achieved through environmentally conscious additive formulations. Through the development efforts at KH i-Lab, PHB is progressing from the "searching" stage to the "creation" stage, moving forward toward the next stage of commercialization.
PHB and Cellulose in Seawater
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