On February 25, 2026, Yuhan-Kimberly announced the launch of “Kleenex Flushable Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes.” The product is made from plant-based materials PHA, PLA, and pulp, making it an innovative product that combines hygiene and environmental sustainability, with the potential to reshape the market landscape.
Yuhan-Kimberly has long pursued its goal of achieving 95% of its sales from sustainable products by 2030, and has already expanded several innovative products, such as “Huggies Nature Made” diapers made with sugarcane-based biomass materials and “Kleenex paper wet wipes” made with plastic-free fabric.
Applying biodegradable fabrics to reusable sanitary cleaning wipes is an extremely challenging task—even for an industry-leading brand. While maintaining the performance standards required for flushable cleaning wipes, introducing more environmentally friendly materials is not easy. The solution lies in collaboration between material suppliers and manufacturers. The core of the new product—the biodegradable fabric—brings together the technological capabilities of Yuhan-Kimberly, CJ CheilJedang, and Yujin Hanil.
Through the cooperation of these three companies, the fabric is produced without any petroleum-based materials, using only plant-derived PHA, PLA, and FSC®-certified natural pulp. Tests conducted by an authoritative Korean testing institution confirmed that the material achieves more than 90% biodegradation within 45 days.
The commercialization of biodegradable fabric for sanitary wipes began in 2022, when Yuhan-Kimberly and CJ CheilJedang signed the “Green Action Alliance” agreement to jointly promote a sustainable industrial ecosystem. From the research and development of PHA-based fabrics to the final product launch, the project required more than three years of development. The new product also adopts Hydro-Knit technology, a key technique that enhances fabric durability, ensuring the wipes remain strong even after multiple washes.
To ensure safety when in contact with tableware or skin, the product has obtained a Dermatest “Excellent” rating and has been verified to contain none of the 26 allergenic substances listed by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, as well as no microplastics.
In addition, the wipes achieve a 99.9% antibacterial rate (tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae). A representative from Yuhan-Kimberly’s Kleenex division stated:
“While ensuring unique hygiene and convenience, this new product also represents meaningful progress in environmental sustainability. As the leading brand in sanitary wipes, we will continue promoting production and consumption that consider the planet’s environment, while strengthening the global competitiveness of Korean household products.”
The new product is now available in major supermarkets, the Kleenex Naver official store, and other major online and offline retail channels.