CJ Biomaterials, Inc., a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang, announced that it has signed a partnership with Swedish biomaterials compounding company, BIQ Materials, to expand the commercialisation of their patented artificial turf infill made using PHACT PHA.
cj biomaterials
Infill, commonly used in soccer and sports fields, supports artificial turf and absorbs impact, helping to prevent player injuries. However, in 2023, the European Union (EU) classified petroleum-based infill as intentionally added microplastics under REACH Regulation 1907/2006, noting that current infill materials are a major contributor to persistent microplastics in the environment. The use of petroleum-based polymeric infill and its sale will be banned beginning in 2031. As a result, the two companies anticipate an increased demand for infill made from biodegradable materials that meet EU market performance standards, and they have been collaborating proactively to address this demand.
CJ Biomaterials will supply PHACT PHA A1000P, a material uniquely suitable for artificial turf infill, which BIQ Materials will use to manufacture products. This collaboration between CJ Biomaterials and BIQ Materials is expected to accelerate the commercialisation of PHA.
The partnership signing ceremony, held on October 30th at the CJ BIO distribution subsidiary in Frankfurt, Germany, was attended by officials from both companies, including Allan (Hyuk Sung) Chung, Head of CJ Biomaterials, and Fredrik Bergegard, Chairman of BIQ Materials. Chung stated, "Through this agreement, we expect to expand the adoption of PHACT PHA in the European market." He added, "We will continue to collaborate with strategic partners to develop innovative biomaterial solutions that meet the performance requirements of unique applications that also seek to address growing concerns around persistent microplastics in the environment."
PHA is a naturally occurring polymer that microorganisms accumulate inside their cells by consuming plant-derived components, including sugars. It has the unique property of biodegrading completely in soil and marine environments, as well as in industrial and home composting facilities. Because it leaves behind no persistent microplastics, PHA is increasingly seen as a viable alternative for replacing petroleum-derived plastics. CJ Biomaterials began commercial production of PHA in 2022 and launched it under the brand name "PHACT," which combines PHA and ACT, meaning "action," and embodies the company's commitment to leading a paradigm shift in the biodegradable material market based on PHA.
CJ Biomaterial's PHACT PHA A1000P was also recently recognised for its product quality and unique properties with the 2025 Innovation in Bioplastics Award from the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). This award is presented annually by PLASTICS to recognise innovation and sustainability in the bioplastics industry. CJ Biomaterials was selected as this year's recipient in recognition of the forward-looking and sustainable technology behind PHACT A1000P, a new-to-the-world biopolymer now successfully mass-produced for the first time.
This most recent partnership also builds on CJ Biomaterials’ commitment to accelerating its global PHA business through strategic collaborations. In September, the company signed a business agreement with Cosmax, the world's leading cosmetics ODM, to develop PHACT PHA-based cosmetics containers. In March, the company partnered with Itochu Plastics, a subsidiary of Japan's Itochu Corporation, to begin exploring the local bioplastics market.