Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., announced today that it has developed marine biodegradable drinking straws that can contribute to reduction of waste plastic in the oceans. These new straws use NEQAS™-OCEAN, a biodegradable cellulose acetate resin from NEQAS Corporation, as their raw material. The straws have earned the "Marine Biodegradable &Biobased Plastics" mark from the Japan Bio Plastics Association.
Example of Biodegradable Straw Usage . Image Credit: Teijin Limited
Teijin Frontier’s straws combine the high transparency and marine biodegradability of NEQAS™-OCEAN with the ability to be designed with a larger diameter than conventional cellulose acetate straws, thanks to the company’s specialized polymer processing technology. With a diameter of up to 11 mm, the straws can accommodate beverages such as jelly drinks and bubble tea containing tapioca. The new straws became available for sale in Japan in April 2025.
Cellulose acetate is a polymer that is chemically modified with acetic acid derived from plant-based cellulose. It ultimately biodegrades into natural substances, such as water and carbon dioxide, through the action of water and microorganisms.
Teijin Frontier has been pursuing its environmental strategy, THINK ECOⓇ, by developing a wide range of environmentally friendly materials and products. These include ta polylactic acid (PLA) resin, BIOFRONT, which combines biodegradability and practicality. The launch of the new marine biodegradable straws further advances this strategy. Moving forward, Teijin Frontier will continue to offer solutions that contribute to reducing environmental impact by expanding the range of biodegradable plastic raw materials and products.