Mizuno’s Biodegradable Artificial Turf Made with Green Planet™ Adopted by a Municipality for the First Time
- Families Experience Turf-Laying in Tawaramoto Town, Nara -
August 3, 2026
Kaneka Corporation (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazuhiko Fujii) and Mizuno Corporation (Head Office: Osaka; President: Akito Mizuno; hereinafter "Mizuno") have jointly developed "Re Green Grass UMI," (*1) a biodegradable artificial turf made with Kaneka Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ (hereinafter "Green Planet") in 2025 (*2). The turf has now been adopted at "Tomopa! Tawaramoto," a disaster prevention park in Tawaramoto Town, Shiki District, Nara Prefecture (*3) - the first such adoption by a municipality. On Friday, July 31, a turf-laying event for families was held at the park.
Tawaramoto Town is promoting the "Tawaramoto ReBORN Project," the first initiative of its kind in Nara Prefecture, which aims to revitalize the local community by creating new industries. Under the theme of "biomanufacturing," the town is attracting startup companies that pursue innovative businesses through new technologies and ideas.
Mizuno's biodegradable artificial turf made with Green Planet has now been installed in the covered plaza of "Tomopa! Tawaramoto," with the aim of creating a space where people of all generations can interact comfortably. To mark the installation, a turf-laying event for families was held with the participation of 22 residents. The event also offered an opportunity to learn about the materials used in biodegradable artificial turf and the initiatives behind its environmentally friendly design, helping to deepen understanding of the issues surrounding marine plastic waste and microplastics.
As artificial turf wears down, fragments can unintentionally flow into the ocean, where they pose a problem as microplastics that adversely affect marine ecosystems. The biodegradable artificial turf jointly developed with Mizuno (*4) has a texture similar to that of conventional artificial turf and offers high durability, while remaining environmentally friendly: even if it reaches the ocean, it biodegrades into water and CO2 in seawater.
Guided by our mission, “KANEKA thinks ‘Wellness First,’” we provide value globally as a solution provider. By continuing to promote the adoption of sustainable sports facilities, we aim to contribute to protecting the global environment and enhancing people's health and well-being.
(*2) 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. Due to its biodegradability into CO2 and water by microorganisms living in soil and seawater, it can contribute to solving the problem of marine plastic pollution.
(*3) “Tomopa! Tawaramoto,” a disaster prevention park, was reopened in March 2026 by redeveloping the site of the former waste incineration plant, the former Yasuragi Gymnasium, and other facilities to commemorate the town’s 70th anniversary.
(*4) News Release dated June 10, 2025
KANEKA Biodegradable Polymer Green Planet™ Used for Artificial Turf Blades and Filler Jointly Developed for Indoor Sports with Mizuno
https://www.kaneka.co.jp/en/topics/news/2025/ennr2506101.html
Covered plaza with Biodegradable Artificial Turf Turf-laying event
Tawaramoto Town Mayor Mr. Hirofumi Takae
(2nd from the left)
Group photo with the mayor and the residents
