Absorbent pads are everywhere—in cosmetics and face masks, food‑tray liners, medical gauze, and even pet‑training pads. Yet as the world looks for eco‑friendly alternatives, the petroleum‑based materials used in most pads are coming under scrutiny.Enter the innovative partnership between EF Polymer, a startup that invented a plant‑derived super‑absorbent material, and Soken Chemical, a long‑established chemical manufacturer with decades of expertise in chemical sheet processing. Together, they have created a brand‑new absorbent sheet with the potential to reshape multiple industries. We spoke with the key members of both teams about the road to commercialization and what lies ahead.From left: Mr. Okubo, Mr. Suzuki, and Mr. Konno of Soken Chemical’s New Business Planning Division; Mr. Nakagawa, Polymer R&D Specialist at EF PolymerQ. How did the collaboration begin?Attracted by the technologyMs. Okubo, Soken Chemical“It started when EF Polymer pitched at a startup event. Our team was intrigued by their plant‑based super‑absorbent material, and thought, ‘We might be able to do something together.’ We held our first online meeting in July 2023, which kicked off concrete discussions—even though we didn’t yet have a clear plan.”A shared focus on polymers“Both companies work with polymers, but in complementary ways: EF Polymer specializes in new materials, while Soken excels at applied technologies and processing. We already wanted to shift from petroleum‑based to plant‑based products, yet doing it alone was challenging. Partnering with EF Polymer opened new possibilities.”Q. Where did development start?From granules to sheet—an idea born of adhesive expertiseMr. Konno, Soken Chemical“About two years ago we tested EF Polymer’s granules in‑house. They absorbed and retained water far better than we expected from a plant‑derived material.Because Soken’s core business is adhesives—especially pressure‑sensitive tapes—we naturally wondered if the polymer could be formed into a sheet. If so, the range of applications would expand dramatically.”The result is the EF Polymer Sheet, launched for full‑scale sales on 7 April 2025.Key FeaturesNext‑generation absorbent sheet made from 100% plant‑based super‑absorbent polymer and biodegradable non‑woven fabricAbsorbs 10–20 times its own weight in water and then breaks down naturally—drastically reducing environmental impact.Gentle on sensitive skin and adaptable for beauty, medical, agricultural, food-packaging, pet-care, hospitality, and other sectors.More details：https://efpolymer.jp/news/efp-sheet-soken-chemicalsQ. What potential does the EF Polymer Sheet have?Discussion between Ms. Okubo and Mr. NakagawaClosing the loop, starting with agricultureMs. Okubo, Soken Chemical“The biggest value lies in its truly circular nature—from raw material to disposal. We’d like to focus first on beauty products and agricultural supplies. Imagine a moisture‑retention sheet laid around plant roots to keep soil damp and reduce drought stress—something farmers have long needed.”A no‑burn optionMr. Nakagawa, EF Polymer“Traditional plastic ‘mulch sheets’ prevent evaporation but must be collected and incinerated—especially a heavy burden, especially for older farmers. A sheet that simply biodegrades in the soil removes that labor and cost.”Beyond farming, the sheet could replace burn‑after‑use materials such as medical absorbent pads, disposable underlays, product labels and packaging, mud‑guard mats at camps or music festivals, insect‑rearing substrates, and more. Wherever items are normally incinerated, the EF Polymer Sheet offers a ‘bury and forget’ alternative instead of post-use collection and burning.Future Potential in Application:Specialty agriculture – water‑retaining, degradable ground coversMedical & hygiene – blood or fluid‑absorbent gauze and dressingsBeauty & personal care – facial masks that hold lotionsPackaging – compostable wraps and labelsDrone‑spray liners – disposable sheets for agricultural dronesOutdoor events – degradable toilet or anti‑mud matsDisaster relief – hygienic floor sheets for sheltersAquaculture – biodegradable protective nets for seaweed and shellfishGreen burials – natural shrouds for tree funeralsInsect farming – eco‑friendly bedding for edible or hobby insectsIndustrial release films – low‑impact cutting or molding linersQ. What were the biggest challenges?Conversation between Mr. Konno and Ms. SuzukiThe toughest hurdle: turning the material into a flat, uniform sheet Mr. Konno, Soken Chemical:“The most difficult part of the entire process was converting the material into sheet form. EF Polymer’s material is inherently not well-suited for forming into sheets, so figuring out how to shape it into a flat, even layer proved far more challenging than we had anticipated.At first, we experimented with the granule form of the polymer, but no matter how we tried, we couldn’t get it to form a proper sheet. The coating process was especially problematic—it was incredibly hard to apply the material uniformly to create a smooth surface. We spent countless days troubleshooting and testing different approaches.Eventually, we went back to the drawing board and decided to use EF Polymer’s raw base material instead. From there, we began prototyping again, this time applying Soken Chemical’s expertise in formulation and processing. After much trial and error, we finally succeeded in creating the sheet we had envisioned.”The most difficult step was making the EF Polymer uniform and flat.Q. What kept you going through the challenges?“Fueled by the Drive to Take on Something completely new”Mr. Suzuki, Soken Chemical:“I was assigned to this project right after transferring to a new department, so everything around me was new—the people, the environment, the work. Developing the EF Polymer Sheet became my very first project in this new role. That made it feel personal; I really wanted to turn it into something real. That strong sense of ownership naturally gave me the motivation to push forward with passion and persistence.”A firm belief in the potential of plant-based materialsMr. Konno, Soken Chemical:“What captivated me most about this project was the potential of a 100% plant-derived material. In today’s world, sustainability is at the forefront of society’s concerns. Being able to offer an alternative to petroleum-based absorbent sheets—a more eco-conscious choice—felt incredibly meaningful.I truly believed that if we could bring this material into the world, it would resonate with people. That belief gave me the strength to keep going, even when the technical obstacles felt overwhelming.Plus, there are almost no existing products where a plant-based material has successfully been processed into sheet form. That challenge—doing something no one else had done before—was exactly what made the project so worthwhile. It wasn’t easy, but that’s why it was worth trying.”Q. What are your future plans and outlook?Driving innovation through cross-industry collaborationMs. Okubo, Soken Chemical:“Until now, Soken Chemical has primarily focused on industrial and high-performance materials—products used in displays, automotive parts, and other precision B2B sectors. We’ve long pursued technical perfection in manufacturing.Partnering with industries such as agriculture and cosmetics was a completely new experience for us. These are fields we don’t usually interact with, so working with them opened up entirely new ways to apply our technologies. It also led to fresh discoveries and opportunities for growth.We see this as a major chance to evolve—not just as a business, but also as a team of professionals. Moving forward, we want to actively expand into new sectors where we can leverage our existing technologies in unexpected ways. This kind of cross-disciplinary innovation is something we’re excited to accelerate.”Caring for people and the planet—starting from the farmMr. Nakagawa, EF Polymer:“Since the founding of EF Polymer, our mission has always been to deliver sustainable solutions that are gentle on both people and the planet. Agriculture, in particular, has always been a key focus for us. After all, eating is living—agriculture sustains our lives.For decades, however, petroleum-based materials have been heavily used in farming. While convenient, they can put strain on the soil over time. That’s why we believe materials like the EF Polymer Sheet—made from plant-based sources—can make a real difference.By improving soil conditions and reducing environmental burdens, we aim to create healthier growing environments. Thanks to the work of Soken Chemical, we now have a material that can do just that. Our goal is to get it into the hands of farmers and local communities first, and from there, expand its reach as part of a broader circular future.”Creating the Future of Sustainable Absorbent ProductsPositioned as a next-generation material that delivers real sustainability, the EF Polymer Sheet is currently being tested and developed across various fields—from agricultural inputs and medical hygiene products to packaging and cosmetics.As industries around the world move away from petroleum-based products and toward more sustainable choices, materials like EF Polymer Sheet will play a crucial role. By combining functionality with environmental consciousness, the EF Polymer Sheet contributes to product innovation and supports broader efforts in Green Transformation (GX).EF Polymer is expanding rapidly and welcomes future projects with industry leading companies interested in exploring eco-friendly applications. For inquiries, contact us at EF Polymer Inc.Company OverviewSoken Chemical Co., Ltd. Founded in 1948 to help rebuild postwar Japan, Soken Chemical has supported everyday life through the power of chemistry. In addition to its adhesive and other chemical solutions, the company provides engineering and maintenance services for industrial systems. Active across Asia, Soken plays a vital but often invisible role in supporting the “everyday normal” that people rely on.EF Polymer Inc. EF Polymer Inc. is a startup dedicated to tackling global environmental issues such as water scarcity and waste through proprietary, plant-based technology. By upcycling discarded fruits like oranges and bananas, EF Polymer created the world’s first fully biodegradable super-absorbent polymer (SAP). Championing a circular ecosystem, the company seeks to transform agriculture from the ground up and partners with a wide range of industries to accelerate the transition away from petroleum-based materials toward a more sustainable future.