Introducing the Award-Winning PHA Toothbrush

CJ Biomaterials, Inc., a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang and a primary producer of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers, was recognized with the prestigious German 2023 Red Dot Design Award for its PHA Head-Up Toothbrush. It was developed in collaboration with Revelop, an eco-friendly design specialist.

Made with a blend of industrially compostable polylactic acid (PLA) and PHA, rather than petroleum-based plastic, the toothbrush has an enhanced environmental profile and was selected as the winner in the “Sustainable” category within the Design Concept discipline in the awards program.

The PHA Head-Up Toothbrush features an 8° angled brush head, which allows the toothbrush to efficiently dry and remain hygienic and bacteria-free, even when resting on a surface —eliminating the need for a separate toothbrush holder or sterilizer, further contributing to its sustainability features.

“We hope recognition in the Red Dot Design Award will help to promote the advantages of PHA and accelerate the commercialization of PHA-based products by demonstrating the versatility of its applications in various end products,” says Max Senechal, chief commercial officer of CJ Biomaterials.

PHAs are a unique material derived from nature and produced sustainably. These materials 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.

PHA biopolymer combinations offer enhanced properties.

PHAs work well as modifiers to other polymers or biopolymers and can be used to increase bio-based content, accelerate biodegradation, and improve the functional properties of resins and finished products. As one of only a few companies capable of mass-producing PHA, CJ Biomaterials is committed to impactful action delivering eco-friendly solutions with its extensive PHA technology platform.

Senechal adds that the company has continually strived to expand the application of PHA, recently developing cosmetic packaging by blending PHA and PLA that are being used to package the popular cosmetic brand Riman Korea.

CJ Biomaterials has also collaborated with various companies, including CJ Olive Young, NatureWorks, Dongil Platech, Yuhan-Kimberly, Accor Hotels, and Banila Co to broaden the use of PHA in the beauty/personal care market, household packaging materials and other applications. The company’s amorphous PHA was also added to the FDA’s inventory of Food Contact Substances in May of this year, allowing it to be used in food packaging materials in the US, following approval previously granted in Korea.