South Korean Company Launches Polylactic Acid (PLA) Bottled Water
On October 30th, Clean Lab, a South Korean company specializing in household products, announced the launch of its new bottled water brand, "Relief," officially entering the bottled water market. This is an environmentally friendly bottled water made from 100% plant-based biodegradable material PLA (polylactic acid).
Clean Lab plans to expand its product line with this new business to align with current consumer trends focused on environmental and health, and to lead the environmentally friendly bottled water market.
"Relief," meaning "returning to nature," is characterized by all packaging made from 100% plant-derived PLA material. PLA is a biodegradable material that can be industrially composted and biogasified, and is gaining attention as an environmentally friendly container alternative to petroleum-based plastics. PLA decomposes completely into water, carbon dioxide, and compost, minimizing its environmental impact.
Its safety for human use has also been verified. PLA is a bioabsorbable material that decomposes in the body into lactic acid, thus exhibiting extremely high stability and making it suitable for use in medical sutures. Furthermore, tested by KOTITI, a nationally accredited testing and research institution in South Korea, PLA is free of microplastics with a minimum detection unit of 5μm, ensuring its safe use.
Meanwhile, its water quality meets the standards for premium bottled water. It is rich in essential natural minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, offering a smooth, pure, and refreshing taste.
Clean Lab plans to target health-conscious and environmentally conscious young people as its primary consumer group. A report from the Korea Environmental Research Institute shows that South Korean consumers are willing to pay an average of 896 won more for low-carbon certified bottled water and 1068 won more for microplastic-free certified bottled water.
A representative from Clean Lab stated, "The launch of 'Relief' is a significant step forward, integrating Clean Lab's sustainable development management philosophy into products that are crucial to consumers' daily lives. We will continue to practice ESG management based on material innovation and advocate for sustainable lifestyles."
