Japan team develops ‘eco-fireworks’ with water-soluble shells to cut debris

A Japanese fireworks company, Kakinoki Fireworks Industry, in collaboration with Ryukoku University professor Takahiko Nakaoki, has pioneered environmentally friendly fireworks designed to minimize post-display debris. The innovation lies in the use of water-soluble shell casings that naturally dissolve, addressing a long-standing environmental concern associated with traditional fireworks.

Conventional fireworks utilize kraft paper casings that can take up to six months to decompose. In contrast, the newly developed shells incorporate a water-soluble resin, commonly used in agricultural applications like seed coatings and soil improvers. This biodegradable material is designed to dissolve in water within a day under favorable conditions, such as in rivers or lakes where many Japanese fireworks festivals are held.

During the development process, the team faced challenges, including the resin's stickiness, which required adjustments to manufacturing processes. However, they successfully refined the technique to ensure clean separation of the shells. While kraft paper is still used to protect the shells from moisture, the amount required for a standard firework has been halved, further contributing to the eco-friendly design.

Kakinoki Fireworks has been dedicated to developing sustainable fireworks for approximately 25 years. Previous attempts to use different biodegradable resins were abandoned due to issues like microplastic generation. The collaboration with Professor Nakaoki, an expert in polymer science, proved fruitful, leading to the successful creation of these environmentally conscious fireworks.

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We want to accelerate the decomposition speed and reduce the environmental burden.