CJ Biomaterials, a division of South Korea’s CJ Group, has officially launched PHA plant-based straws in major US retail stores, including Whole Foods Market. Made from the company’s proprietary amorphous PHA resin branded PHACT, the straws are certified home-compostable and marine-biodegradable — and they solve the single biggest consumer complaint about paper straws: sogginess.
Background: Why PHA Is Gaining Ground
The global movement away from single-use plastic straws has created an enormous market for alternatives, but substitutes have frustrated consumers. Paper straws degrade in beverages within minutes. PLA straws require industrial composting facilities that most consumers lack access to. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) represent a fundamentally different class of bio-based polymers. Produced by bacterial fermentation of plant sugars, PHA polymers biodegrade wherever microorganisms are present — soil, freshwater, and marine environments.
Key Details: Product Specifications
The PHACT-based straws maintain structural integrity for over four hours in both hot and cold beverages. They carry TUV Austria OK compost HOME certification and OK biodegradable MARINE certification. Retail pricing is competitive with premium paper straws at $4 to $6 for a pack of 50.
The product range includes standard straight straws in 7.75-inch and 10.25-inch lengths, plus a flexible “bendy” variant. All SKUs are FDA-compliant and free from PFAS, BPA, and other chemicals of concern found in some paper straw products.
Industry Impact: PHA Moves to Mainstream
This launch marks a significant milestone for the broader bioplastics market. CJ Group’s fermentation capacity allows production scale that smaller PHA startups have struggled to achieve. The competitive pressure on paper straw manufacturers is noteworthy — recent studies detected PFAS compounds in certain paper straw brands.
What’s Next
CJ Biomaterials is developing PHACT-based cutlery, stirrers, and coffee pod capsules for 2027. The company is expanding PHA resin production at its Indonesia facility to 65,000 tonnes per year by 2028. For consumers seeking sustainable alternatives that work, PHA is delivering. Explore more in our Knowledge Zone on Applications.