UPM reaches phase II of Sappi venture
Material manufacturers, UPM and Sappi, have reached the next stage of their Joint Venture which was first announced in December last year
Materials manufacturer, Futamura, has suggested that glitter made from its NatureFlex range of cellulose films will safely biodegrade in the environment after use
Futamura, a Japanese manufacturer of cellulose films and packaging products, has announced a solution to help reduce the quantities of microplastics generated from glitter products.
Microplastics are defined as plastic particles less than 5mm in size, which can be either intentionally manufactured at that size (primary microplastics) or created when larger plastic items break down (secondary microplastics).
Glitter has been particularly criticised in recent years for its contribution to microplastic pollution in oceans and soil.
According to Futamura, biodegradable glitter can be created from its NatureFlex materials, which will safely degrade in the environment it was disposed of after use without producing harmful microplastics.
The NatureFlex range of cellulose films have demonstrated wastewater biodegradability, as well as degradability in marine and soil environments.
The ecological features of NatureFlex also allows it to comply with REACH regulations that came into effect in October 2023, aiming to place restrictions on microplastic production.
Andy Sweetman, sales and marketing director at Futamura, says: ‘Glitter is a tricky market due to the product almost certainly ending up in the environment, whether wastewater, marine, or soil.
“NatureFlex allows for a more viable, less damaging, end-of-life scenario than conventional glitter produced from plastic materials. A switch to compostable glitter is a step towards reducing the ever-growing microplastic problem we are facing in our soils and seas today.’
A report by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in 2020 suggested that 42,000 tonnes of intentionally present microplastics were being released into the environment annually.
The vast scale of the issue has led to a ban which came into effect in the UK and EU in October 2023, including forbidding the sale of any non-biodegradable or insoluble plastic glitter for the arts and crafts markets.
Currently, glitter based on conventional plastics can still be sold into cosmetic applications due to a transition period granted under the EU’s Microplastics Regulation, which prohibits the sale of synthetic polymer particles under 5mm.
However, once this period ends cosmetic applications will also be banned from using glitter in products that will generate microplastics.
Despite regulations on primary microplastics, secondary microplastics still account for an estimated 69-81% of microplastics found in oceans and other natural environments, according to estimates cited by governmental bodies including the European Parliament.
Futamura Chemical Company was established in 1947, and has been involved in plastic production since at least 1966. With production sites in the UK, USA, and Japan, the company employs around 1500 people.
While Futamura is a global leader in renewable and compostable cellulose films such as NatureFlex, producing an estimated 65% of the global total of cellulose films, it also has a separate plastic films division primarily operating in Asia which produces conventional, fossil-based plastics.
