Vegetable-Based Polymer Approved for Food Packaging in Japan

A new material, vegetable-based polylactide polymer, was approved by the Japan Hygienic Olefin and Styrene Plastics Association (JHOSPA) in June 2004 for use as a food packaging material. The application for using polylactide-based material in contact with food was submitted jointly by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Japan's leading chemical company, and the U.S.-based Cargill Dow LLC.

Polylactide is made from vegetable-based renewable resources such as corn and potatoes. It has less impact on the environment because it reduces fossil fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, and also can be composted.

Polylactide research and development has been promoted in Japan with a focus on such applications as fabrics and non-food packaging. In the U.S. and Europe, however, polylactide is already used for food packaging, having been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the EU Directive, respectively.

All plastics used for food packaging in Japan must comply with standards set under the Food Sanitation Law. In addition to this law, voluntary restrictions have been established by JHOSPA, an industry organization founded to secure the hygiene and safety of plastics used in contact with food. About three fourths of plastics used for food packaging in Japan are registered with JHOSPA and certified as approved products.

The registration of polylactide with JHOSPA is expected to accelerate development of the technology and its applications, in particular expansion of its use in food packaging.



Posted: 2004/11/15 02:09:50 PM
Japanese version