--- title: "Toray Industries Introduces Biodegradable Polyamide 4 Spherical Fine Particles" id: "4475" type: "post" slug: "toray-industries-introduces-biodegradable-polyamide-4-spherical-fine-particles" published_at: "2024-04-24T17:37:04+00:00" modified_at: "2024-04-24T15:16:10+00:00" url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/04/toray-industries-introduces-biodegradable-polyamide-4-spherical-fine-particles-004475/" markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/04/toray-industries-introduces-biodegradable-polyamide-4-spherical-fine-particles-004475.md" excerpt: "Toray Industries, a Japan-based company, has unveiled a groundbreaking development in the field of cosmetics raw materials. They have created a new polyamide 4 (PA4) spherical fine particle that boasts biodegradability in marine environments, marking a significant stride towards sustainability..." taxonomy_category: - "Circular Economy" - "Industry" - "Medical" - "Packaging" - "Recycling" - "Sustainability" - "Trending" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Biodegradability" - "cosmetic products" - "Microplastic" - "PA 4" - "Polyamide 4" - "spherical fine particle" - "Toray Industries" --- [Home](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/) » [News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/news/) » [Trending](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/trending/) » [Sustainability](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/trending/sustainability/) » [Circular Economy](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/trending/sustainability/circular-economy/) » Toray Industries Introduces Biodegradable Polyamide 4 Spherical Fine Particles # Toray Industries Introduces Biodegradable Polyamide 4 Spherical Fine Particles ### [Toray Industries](https://www.toray.com/global/) , a Japan-based company, has unveiled a groundbreaking development in the field of cosmetics raw materials. Toray has created a new polyamide 4 (PA4) spherical fine particle that boasts biodegradability in marine environments, marking a significant stride towards sustainability in the cosmetics industry. **You can also read:** [Editor’s Letter: Navigating Misinterpretation, Nanoplastics in Bottled Water](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/02/editors-letter-navigating-misinterpretation-nanoplastics-in-bottled-wate-003135/) Traditional cosmetic products often contain non-biodegradable particles that pose a threat to marine ecosystems. These microplastic particles, prevalent in products like foundation and eye shadow, contribute to environmental pollution and biodiversity loss. Recognizing these concerns, Toray has embarked on a mission to revolutionize cosmetic raw materials with their biodegradable PA4 fine particles. ## Biodegradation Mechanism and Environmental Impact Toray’s microplastic particle will biodegrade in the marine environment The PA4 fine particles undergo biodegradation processes, wherein microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi break down the organic compounds into simpler substances, including water and carbon dioxide. While biodegradation is typically slower in marine environments compared to soil, Toray’s innovative solution offers promise in combating marine pollution and environmental degradation caused by microplastics. ## Compliance with Regulatory Standards In response to growing environmental awareness, regulatory bodies worldwide are imposing restrictions on microplastic usage in consumer products. Toray’s biodegradable PA4 particles align with these regulatory initiatives, providing a sustainable alternative that meets stringent environmental standards. ## Technical Advancements and Testing Results Toray’s proprietary technology has enabled the production of spherical polymer particles, overcoming challenges associated with the high melting point and thermal properties of PA4. Rigorous testing, including OECD 301F and ASTM D6691 assessments, has validated the biodegradability of the particles, further bolstering their environmental credentials. ## Future Outlook and Collaborative Initiatives With plans for commercialization by March 2025, Toray is actively collaborating with cosmetics manufacturers to evaluate the efficacy of their biodegradable PA4 particles. Additionally, ongoing research and development efforts aim to enhance particle sustainability by exploring biomass-based alternatives. Toray’s introduction of biodegradable PA4 spherical fine particles represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of eco-friendly cosmetic raw materials. By harnessing innovative technology and aligning with regulatory standards, Toray is poised to drive positive environmental impact and promote sustainability in the cosmetics industry. By **[Plastics Engineering](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/pe-anonymous/)** | April 24, 2024 ##### [Plastics Engineering](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/pe-anonymous/) [+ postsBio ⮌](#) ### Other posts you could read [May 13, 2026The Logistics Challenge of Scaling Mechanical Recycling](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/05/the-logistics-challenge-of-scaling-mechanical-recycling-011251/) [April 29, 2026Renewable Functional Coatings for Advanced Applications](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/renewable-functional-coatings-for-advanced-applications-011134/) [April 30, 2026Upcycling Polyolefins into Jet Fuel Components](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/upcycling-polyolefins-into-jet-fuel-components-011138/) [April 28, 2026IKV Colloquium 2026: The Journey of Research and Industry](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/ikv-colloquium-2026-the-journey-of-research-and-industry-010989/) [May 4, 2026Why Your Feeder Choice Is Quietly Undermining Consistency](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/05/why-your-feeder-choice-is-quietly-undermining-consistency-011175/) [May 12, 2026Why Recycled Polymers Still Cost More Than Virgin Resin](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/05/why-recycled-polymers-still-cost-more-than-virgin-resin-011239/) [April 22, 2026Beyond Flaps: How Composite Skins Enable Morphing Wing Design](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/beyond-flaps-how-composite-skins-enable-morphing-wing-design-010950/) [April 24, 2026Emerging Markets for Polyolefins in the Solar Industry](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/emerging-markets-for-polyolefins-in-the-solar-industry-011128/) ## Share Your Thoughts [Cancel reply](/2024/04/toray-industries-introduces-biodegradable-polyamide-4-spherical-fine-particles-004475/#respond) - [https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=4475&text=Toray+Industries+Introduces+Biodegradable+Polyamide+4+Spherical+Fine+Particles&via=Plastics_Mag](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=4475&text=Toray+Industries+Introduces+Biodegradable+Polyamide+4+Spherical+Fine+Particles&via=Plastics_Mag) - [https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=4475&t=Toray+Industries+Introduces+Biodegradable+Polyamide+4+Spherical+Fine+Particles](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=4475&t=Toray+Industries+Introduces+Biodegradable+Polyamide+4+Spherical+Fine+Particles) - [https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=4475&title=Toray%20Industries%20Introduces%20Biodegradable%20Polyamide%204%20Spherical%20Fine%20Particles&summary=Toray+Industries%2C+a+Japan-based+company%2C+has+unveiled+a+groundbreaking+development+in+the+field+of+cosmetics+raw+materials.+They+have+created+a+new+polyamide+4+%28PA4%29+spherical+fine+particle+that+boasts+biodegradability+in+marine+environments%2C+marking+a+significant+stride+towards+sustainability+in+the+cosmetics+industry.&source=Plastics+Engineering](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=4475&title=Toray%20Industries%20Introduces%20Biodegradable%20Polyamide%204%20Spherical%20Fine%20Particles&summary=Toray+Industries%2C+a+Japan-based+company%2C+has+unveiled+a+groundbreaking+development+in+the+field+of+cosmetics+raw+materials.+They+have+created+a+new+polyamide+4+%28PA4%29+spherical+fine+particle+that+boasts+biodegradability+in+marine+environments%2C+marking+a+significant+stride+towards+sustainability+in+the+cosmetics+industry.&source=Plastics+Engineering) - [https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=4475&title=Toray+Industries+Introduces+Biodegradable+Polyamide+4+Spherical+Fine+Particles](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=4475&title=Toray+Industries+Introduces+Biodegradable+Polyamide+4+Spherical+Fine+Particles) - [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ac93dfd9cec6c9cfd891fcc0cddfd8c5cfdf8ce9c2cbc5c2c9c9dec5c2cb8c818cf8c3decdd58ce5c2c8d9dfd8dec5c9df8ce5c2d8dec3c8d9cfc9df8ceec5c3c8c9cbdecdc8cdcec0c98cfcc3c0d5cdc1c5c8c98c988cffdcc4c9dec5cfcdc08ceac5c2c98cfccdded8c5cfc0c9df8acec3c8d591c4d8d8dcdf968383dbdbdb82dcc0cddfd8c5cfdfc9c2cbc5c2c9c9dec5c2cb82c3decb8393dc9198989b99](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ac93dfd9cec6c9cfd891fcc0cddfd8c5cfdf8ce9c2cbc5c2c9c9dec5c2cb8c818cf8c3decdd58ce5c2c8d9dfd8dec5c9df8ce5c2d8dec3c8d9cfc9df8ceec5c3c8c9cbdecdc8cdcec0c98cfcc3c0d5cdc1c5c8c98c988cffdcc4c9dec5cfcdc08ceac5c2c98cfccdded8c5cfc0c9df8acec3c8d591c4d8d8dcdf968383dbdbdb82dcc0cddfd8c5cfdfc9c2cbc5c2c9c9dec5c2cb82c3decb8393dc9198989b99) - [#comments](#comments)