Scientists Develop Ocean-Dissolving Plastic to Combat Microplastic Pollution

The innovative material is durable, biodegradable, and breaks down in seawater without leaving harmful residues.

Researchers at Japan's RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have created a plastic that dissolves in seawater, addressing the global microplastics crisis.
The material uses reversible 'salt bridges' that provide strength but break apart in saltwater, making it biodegradable and safe for marine ecosystems.
Unlike conventional biodegradable plastics, this new plastic fully dissociates into components that marine bacteria can metabolize, leaving no microplastic fragments behind.
The plastic matches or exceeds the strength of traditional materials, is heat-resistant, and can be reshaped, offering diverse applications including 3D printing and underwater adhesives.
The material is recyclable, with over 80% of its components recoverable, and degrades quickly in soil, contributing nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen.