Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US, have developed a biodegradable material designed to replace microplastics commonly found in beauty products. The new material could also be used in food fortification and packaging applications. By targeting microplastic pollutants at their source, the MIT team aims to offer an eco-friendly alternative to the plastic beads currently prevalent in personal care products.Microplastics, originating from sources such as plastic packaging, cleansers and cosmetics, have become a contributor to global pollution. The research, published in Nature Chemical Engineering, has the potential to mitigate this crisis by replacing non-degradable plastics with biodegradable materials for use in cleansers.
