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Photo Credit: CJ Biomaterials

, Inc. (Woburn, Mass.), a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang and a primary producer of PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) biopolymers, recently announced that its patented PHA technology is being used in the production of a new noodle cup sold at CU, South Korea’s leading convenience store chain. With CJ Biomaterials’ PHA technology integrated into the cups’ inner coating, the first of its kind in the country, they are rendered biodegradable and compostable, reducing the amount of plastic waste entering the environment. In 2023, CJ Biomaterials developed microwavable paper coating technology combining its patented PHA with PLA. The paper coating solution increases biobased content, reducing petroleum-based plastic use without compromising the function and quality of the paper cup. Through CJ Biomaterials’ partnership with CU, the coating technology will be used on the convenience store’s popular New Today’s Chicken Noodle cup packaging.

CJ Biomaterials’ PHA biopolymers can be used as building blocks to replace and improve the functional characteristics of a broad range of polymers in the production of finished goods or as starting points for sustainable chemistry. PHAs work well as modifiers to other polymers or biopolymers and can increase biobased content, accelerate biodegradation and improve the functional properties of resins and finished products. The company continues to expand on the applications of its PHA technology, developing solutions for food and beverage packaging; food serviceware; fibers and nonwovens; consumer goods; agriculture and horticulture; and 3D printing filament. Over the past year, the company worked together with Riman Incellderm to create environmentally friendly cosmetic packaging, and collaborated with various companies, including CJ Olive Young, Dongil Platech, Yuhan-Kimberly, and biopolymer manufacturer, NatureWorks, to broaden the use of PHA in multiple markets and applications.