KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ Adopted in an Industry First by Shionogi Pharma for Pharmaceutical Packaging Banding Films

KANEKA CORPORATION
May 20, 2025
Kaneka Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazuhiko Fujii) announced that KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ (hereinafter “Green Planet”) has been adopted by Shionogi Pharma Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Settsu-city, Osaka; President: Yasuyoshi Iso) as a banding film for PTP (Press Through Packaging) (*1) for the first time in the pharmaceutical industry (*2). This banding film will be used for SHIONOGI group products with PTP (*3).

Green Planet is a 100% biomass-derived biodegradable polymer developed by Kaneka based on our desire to provide environmentally friendly solutions that do not depend on petroleum resources. It has excellent biodegradability in a wide range of environments and decomposes easily into CO2 and water, both in soil and seawater, helping to address the environmental pollution problem caused by plastics. The adoption of Green Planet is made possible through its compliance with the quality standards required for secondary pharmaceutical packaging combined with Shionogi Pharma’s industrialization technologies in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Looking ahead, the application of Green Planet is expected to expand to other bundling uses, including strip packaging (SP) (*4).

SHIONOGI Group, under its basic policy and the SHIONOGI Group Code of Conduct, has identified environmental consideration as a key material issue. To contribute to environmental protection, SHIONOGI Group has established medium- to long-term action goals and is promoting initiatives to achieve them. As 100% biomass-derived biodegradable polymer, Green Planet is highly valued for its ability to reduce the use of petroleum-derived plastics.

Based on our mission of KANEKA thinks “Wellness First”, Kaneka provides value globally as a solution provider. Based on the development of technologies and applications using our proprietary polymer technology and biotechnology, we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by promoting Green Planet on a global scale.


(*1) PTP (Press Through Packaging) is a format in which tablets or capsules are placed in plastic cavities, sealed with aluminum foil, and dispensed by pressing them through the foil.
(*2) Based on research conducted by Kaneka and Shionogi Pharma.
(*3) The applicable products will be announced on the SHIONOGI Group’s information website for healthcare professionals.
(*4) SP (Strip Packaging) is a format in which powdered medications are enclosed between two sheets of material, sealed around the edges, and dispensed by tearing the package.

                                            
                                       Banding Film for Pharmaceutical Packaging made from Green Planet
                                                         (Provided by: Shionogi Pharma Co., Ltd.)