LIMEX can be recycled. By recycling LIMEX, which has the characteristics of both plastic and paper, we aim to suppress the depletion of global resources and form a circular economy.

• The offcuts of LIMEX sheets after manufacturing and printing and post-use LIMEX products (LIMEX sheets and plastic alternatives) can be re-pelletized.
• Recycled LIMEX pellets is applicable to injection molding etc. Post-use LIMEX sheets can be transformed to plastic alternative products.
• Recycled LIMEX pellets can be used for manufacturing LIMEX sheets.* Do not mix LIMEX with existing paper or plastic recycling.

Appropriate recycling of LIMEX.

Compared to polypropylene, which is a petroleum-based resin, LIMEX has been proved to be a material with a lower rate of deterioration of physical properties and higher recycling efficiency than PP in terms of melt flow rate (MFR) ^*1 and Charpy impact strength^*2. In addition, when we verified the sorting of LIMEX and PP with an optical sorter, we were able to detect them as different substances and prove that they can be sorted. The collected post-consumer LIMEX products (paper alternative products) will be upcycled into plastic alternative products. TBM will promote the resource recycling of LIMEX by cooperating with domestic and overseas partner companies. *1 MFR: A numerical value that represents the fluidity of a thermoplastic resin when it is melted.
*2 Charpy impact strength: Impact test to evaluate the energy required to break the test piece and the toughness of the test piece.

Examples of initiatives with companies

The menu used in the cafe operated by Seven & i Food Systems is upcycled to trays and used in Denny's stores. We also upcycled the LIMEX lucky bags used in Seven-Eleven Okinawa to lunch plates and donated them to orphanages in Okinawa Prefecture.

Examples of initiatives with local governments

In collaboration with Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture and Keio University, "Building a regional model with low environmental impact in Sabae City, sustainable manufacturing", we collected LIMEX printed materials and upcycled them to lacquer products such as lacquer ware. With Kanagawa Prefecture, we have launched the "Kanagawa Upcycling Consortium" as an initiative to promote recycling-type community development. We have also signed cooperation agreements with Yokohama City, Hayama Town, and Kyotango City, and are attracting attention from many local governments.