By fiscal year 2025, the JAL Group hopes to completely remove the usage of main petroleum-derived plastics from the throwaway plastics given in their cabins and lounges, leaving a more beautiful earth for future generations.
As part of this initiative, JALUX and Kaneka have been jointly developing 100% biomass-derived Green Planet containers, which will be used for in-flight side dish containers for JAL’s international flights from June 2024. As well as contributing to the elimination of new petroleum-derived products, we also aim to further reduce environmental impact by making it possible to reuse these containers.
In addition, the design office “nendo” supervised the overall design of the in-flight meal tray under the JAL in-flight amenity renewal project, and by pursuing design and functionality for this product, they achieved a “warm texture that expresses lightweight and non-petroleum-derived plastics”. The containers are actually colored by natural minerals which means that both materials and coloring agents come from non-petroleum-derived materials. Furthermore, by reducing the weight by approximately 30% compared to current side dish containers, the product is expected to reduce CO2 emissions during flight.
JALUX and Kaneka have already introduced Green Planet to the airport and aviation industry through the airport store JAL PLAZA, JAL in-flight sales shopping bags, and onigiri (rice ball) film wrapping material at JAL Diamond Premier Lounge, and this will be Green Planet’s first reusable product. We will continue to strengthen collaboration to develop products that contribute to reducing environmental impact not only in the aviation and airport fields, but also in a wide range of other fields.
What is Green Planet?
Green Planet, developed by Kaneka, is a biomass polymer produced from vegetable oil and other raw materials by microorganisms. It easily decomposes in soil and in seawater, eventually returning to CO2 and water(*1), thereby contributing to the reduction of environmental impact. It has been certified as biodegradable in seawater by OK Biodegradable MARINE(*2).
Green Planet is attracting attention as a material that can provide innovative solutions because it can be processed into a wide variety of products in the same way as general-purpose plastics. It has been introduced in a wide range of fields through the development of various forms of products, including cutlery, shopping bags, food film packaging, reusable products, and non-woven fabrics.
(*1). The progress of biodegradation depends on the environment like temperature and microorganisms in seawater.
(*2). Biodegrades at least 90% in seawater (30℃) within 6 months. The “OK Biodegradable MARINE” certificate was issued to Green Planet(formerly called PHBHTM)in September 2017 by Vincotte, an international certifying body headquartered in Belgium. TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium NV took over the certification work from Vincotte in December 2017.