CJ CheilJedang is accelerating the commercialization of its proprietary biodegradable biomaterial, PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates), across domestic and global industrial sectors.
According to the company on November 26, consumer products such as reusable biodegradable dishcloths and biodegradable straws made using PHA are set to be launched or piloted in markets worldwide. Because PHA is both industrially and home compostable, it aligns with the growing “plastic-free” trend and avoids microplastic generation after disposal.
The reusable biodegradable dishcloth is made from a 100% compostable blend of PHA, PLA, and pulp. It marks the world’s first commercial application of PHA in sanitary household products. The product was jointly developed by CJ CheilJedang, Yuhan-Kimberly, and Eugene Hanil Synthetic Fiber. Containing no petroleum-based materials, the dishcloth reduces microplastic concerns and achieved more than 90% biodegradation within 45 days — faster than cellulose — in accredited domestic testing under ISO 14855 standards. It will be sold in local retail stores under the Kleenex brand.
Biodegradable straws using PHA will enter pilot service at select Paul Bassett coffee outlets early next year, with expansion planned to additional major café chains. The straws are designed to maintain durability and usability comparable to conventional plastics while avoiding fossil-based inputs. CJ CheilJedang is also working with local suppliers in the United States to expand PHA straw adoption in that market.
Earlier this month, the company partnered with Swedish biomaterial firm BIQ Materials to apply PHA granules as infill for artificial turf at a football pitch — anticipating the EU ban on petroleum-based turf infill material beginning in 2031. This marks an important step in expanding PHA utilization from consumer goods into industrial applications.
Since launching the PHA-focused brand “PHACT” in 2022, CJ CheilJedang has integrated PHA into various products, including cosmetic packaging for Banila Co. cleansing balms, biodegradable shipping materials for the Onul Dream delivery service, the “Radeual” toothbrush handles made from PHA-PLA, and compostable coated packaging for Hetbahn Cupban meals.
PHA is produced when microorganisms convert plant-based feedstocks into a natural polymer, allowing the material to biodegrade not only in industrial and household composting environments, but also in soil and marine ecosystems. A biogasification demonstration project is now underway, paving the path toward a circular resource model.
CJ CheilJedang’s PHA technology is gaining international recognition. The company recently received the “2025 Bioplastics Innovation Award” from the Plastics Industry Association in the United States, acknowledging the breakthrough and sustainability of the world’s first mass-produced amorphous PHA (aPHA).
