An alternative material to petroleum-based plastics for everyday products
Kinari is an innovative range of cellulose-based composite resins that can reshape everyday life products by serving as a reliable alternative to conventional plastics.
Since 2015, the MI Division of Panasonic Holdings Corporation has been engaged in research and development initiatives aimed at reducing the use of petroleum-based plastics through kinari, a bio-based material whose large-scale production has a significant environmental impact, also due to limited recycling rates.
By developing innovative bio-based composite resins, the company aims to contribute to a resource-conscious society — offering a material that is inherently plant-derived and, depending on its composition, fully compostable at the end of its life.
Gallery
Open full width
Open full width
kinari material – Highlights:
Up to 85% cellulose fiber, zero compromise on performance
Panasonic Holdings Corporation, focusing on naturally derived cellulose fibers, has developed kinari, a plant-based material containing up to 85% cellulose fibers while maintaining properties similar to those of conventional petroleum-based plastics. They also introduced an all-dry production process that eliminates the use of water, significantly reducing energy consumption and lowering CO₂ emissions compared to conventional manufacturing methods.
From electronics casings to automotive parts: a material for everyday life
The goal is to offer an alternative material embedded in electronics components and everyday products, enabling applications in home appliance casings, building materials, automotive components, and other daily-use items. To support this transition, Panasonic Holdings Corporation has demonstrated a complete lifecycle system covering production, disposal, sorting, and recycling. Depending on the product composition, the material will either be mechanically recycled and reused in new kinari products or biodegraded.
Cost parity, full biodegradability, and a wood-like aesthetic
The company is improving production processes to keep costs comparable to petroleum-based resins while developing fully biodegradable materials with similar strength and performance. kinari products are available in different forms: one that preserves the properties of the original material and another that allows greater color flexibility. Thanks to the all-dry process, high-concentration cellulose fiber materials can achieve controlled, natural-color variations and a wood-like aesthetic, even without the use of colorants, enhancing both sustainability and design appearance.
Plant waste as raw material — and a nine-month composting window
Overall, kinari is a material that reduces resource consumption, energy use, and CO₂ emissions by utilizing overlooked plant waste (like timber from forest thinning, post-consumer wood, straw sheaf, seaweed etc.) as a raw material. Moreover, Panasonic Holdings Corporation is also developing products certified to fully biodegrade within nine months under industrial composting conditions, in line with its research and development goals.
About the author
Materially helps companies in the development and promotion of sustainable innovation starting from materials. We work with a focus on circular economy and materials innovation through a design thinking approach. Our team’s expertise and our network rely on 20+ years of international projects and experiences.
WebsiteInstagramLinkedin
