a next generation material LIMEX, TBM Co., Ltd

2020/04/27

TBM and Bioworks have developed Bio Face, a washable and reusable antibacterial face mask made of biomass-based yarn, started accepting pre-orders from Japan and overseas

TBM and Bioworks are pleased to announce the development of Bio Face, a washable and reusable antibacterial face mask, to contribute to fulfill the shortage of face masks worldwide, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TBM and Bioworks are looking for partner companies and organizations that can market and distribute Bio Face masks. Most of the disposable face masks are single use plastic products, made of petroleum-derived resin. Bio Face is made of PLA (Polylactic Acid) yarn developed through collaboration with SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD., the world’s leading manufacturer of knitting machines, and can be washed and reused. PLA, the main raw material of Bio Face, is biomass based and highly biocompatible. Bio Face is mildly acidic (close to human skin), antibacterial, and comfortable. TBM and Bioworks start to accept pre-orders from Japan and overseas starting from today.
TBM and Bioworks will promote the reuse of face masks to help fulfill the increasing demand and shortage of face masks worldwide, and at the same time pursue to improve the environmental footprint by using renewable biomass-based resources. Production of Bio Face outside of Japan is also planned.
* “Bio Face” is applied for trademark registration by Bioworks Co., Ltd
Press release>>

“Bio Face” feature page>>

2020/03/19

TBM received a “B” score from CDP for Climate Change and Water Security in 2019

TBM Co., Ltd. received a “B” score for Climate Change and Water Security in CDP 2019, one of the most trusted ESG evaluation initiatives. Putting sustainability at the core of our business, TBM has been responding to the CDP’s questionnaires voluntarily since 2017 though the questionnaires are sent only to the large-scale companies, such as Japan’s 500 biggest companies. As Climate Change and Water Security are material issues for our business strategy and actions, we receive external evaluations and make improvements in our business through our responses to the CDP questionnaires.
The past results of TBM’s CDP responses are available here>>

2019/10/12

TBM exhibited at the “7th International Packaging and Printing Exhibition for Asia”

TBM exhibited at Ricoh (Thailand)’s booth at the “7th International Packaging and Printing Exhibition for Asia,” held on September 18th – 21st, 2019 in Bangkok. The event is the largest packaging and printing exhibition in Southeast Asia, in which packaging and printing innovations and new technology come under one roof. Ricoh and TBM have already established a strategic partnership to promote the SDGs in Japan, and the aim of this joint exhibition was to test market LIMEX products and gain customer feedback with an eye toward expanding the collaboration to markets outside of Japan. Based on the information gathered, the two companies will discuss potential collaboration for distribution of LIMEX sheets and rolls as a new generation media for Ricoh printing devices as the first step leading to any possible strategic approach to the market in Thailand with the commitment to SDGs in scope.Ricoh and TBM hope to create the first successful collaboration example outside of Japan and expand the model to other regions.

2019/08/27

TBM exhibited at the 2019 Tokyo International Conference on African Development(TICAD7)

JETRO-sponsored business event “Japan-Africa Business EXPO” will take place at the 2019 Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) in Yokohama on 28-30 August. We will be displaying LIMEX at the ITOCHU Corporation’s exhibition booth in the area of “Japan Fair.” The aim of “Japan Fair” is to present Japanese industry’s eagerness to expand by displaying Japanese companies’ innovations that carry potential contribution to Africa’s sustainable growth. “Japan Fair” will gather visitors from African governments and industry leaders, who are schedule to attend for TICAD7. At this opportunity, we will introduce a revolutionary Japanese material LIMEX that will replace conventional paper and plastic.

2019/08/27

TBM begins construction of “Tagajo Factory”, which will be a model for global expansion

On August 26, 2019, we announced the commencement of the construction for “Tagajo Factory”, the second factory in Japan, in Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture. This factory is to be a mass production factory, which will be a model for the global expansion of LIMEX business. With the completion of the Tagajo Plant, volume of LIMEX will significantly increase.Thus, the completion of “Tagajo Factory” will accelerate the movement on replacing conventional plastic and paper to LIMEX. We will also engage in our recruitment activities in Miyagi Prefecture from this year, in order to start operations in winter 2020, with the aim of building a production by local employment. For that reason, we have launched the “Bridge for 2020” project with the aim of disseminating information on TBM’s activities in the prefecture, strengthening cooperation’s relationship with local communities, and strengthening sales of LIMEX products in the Tohoku area.

2019/06/14

TBM presents LIMEX Bag, a product containing zero petroleum derived resin,
at the G20 Innovation Exhibition

TBM would like to announce that it has become ready to productize its ongoing project of developing a LIMEX bag made of limestone, containing zero petroleum derived resin.Furthermore, between June 14th (Friday) to 16th (Sunday) 2019, TBM will be involved in the ‘G20 Innovation eExhibition’ at the ‘G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth’ hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Environment in Karuizawa of Nagano prefecture. At this exhibition, TBM will present various LIMEX products that can potentially replace paper and plastic, in addition to the new LIMEX Bag made of zero petroleum derived resin.
See the press release>>

2019/05/21

Featured on Bloomberg
Financing for global expansion

An article introducing TBM was published on Bloomberg.Against a backdrop of a globally growing movement away from plastic, moves toward global development of the LIMEX business, such as investment from companies such as Goldman Sachs and Itochu Corporation, future fund raising, and expansion of production capacity by constructing the Tagajo plant are introduced.
See the article >>

2019/03/08

TBM Conducts Signature Drive for HeForShe in Celebration of International Women’s Day

In commemoration of International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, TBM conducted a signature drive for HeForShe, a United Nations movement for gender equality. The signature drive was organized as part of the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives that create new value by deepening understanding for a diverse workforce and enhancing mutual respect. It aimed to reaffirm the need of gender equality, one of the approaches for TBM employees to jointly create a workplace environment where they can deliver their best performance and demonstrate originality.

2019/03/08

New Material LIMEX Chosen for Yoshinoya Menus

TBM announces that LIMEX paper products are is now used for the menus of Yoshinoya, a food service chain operated by Yoshinoya Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, president: Yasutaka Kawamura) . Taking this opportunity, TBM will propose the replacement of other Yoshinoya store items with LIMEX products and consider ways to upcycle using LIMEX through discussions with Yoshinoya.

2019/03/05

TBM Raises Capital of 1.55 Billion Yen in Creating Synergy with Companies, Bringing Aggregate Capital Raised to Over 10 Billion Yen

TBM has conducted third-party share allocations to JR East startup Co., Ltd., Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd., and the SBI Group (in alphabetical order ). With the rights offering, active investment will be conducted towards: establishment of a mass production plant to increase production volume in Japan and strengthen product competitiveness (Tagajyo manufacturing plant, construction expected to complete in 2020); marketing and human resource recruitment for accelerating domestic expansion; research and development; and joint development.
TBM will collaborate with the above companies to create synergy and engage in joint development and marketing of LIMEX products and realize accelerating growth of LIMEX.

2019/03/04

TBM to Exhibit at Ninth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific

TBM will exhibit at the Ninth Regional 3R Forum in Asia and the Pacific to be held in Bangkok, Thailand from March 4 to 6, co-organized by the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan (MoEJ), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), Thailand, and United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD). There is growing interest in environmental issues, including marine pollution due to microplastics, global warming, and resource depletion. Against this backdrop, TBM will have a boothstall at the Japanese corporate exhibition booth organized by MoEJ to introduce our new material LIMEX that can contribute to alleviating environmental resource issues. The holding of this Forum was declared at the Inaugural Regional 3R Forum in Asia in November 2009, co-organized by MoEJ and UNCRD. The Forum is convened to promote policy dialogues on 3R (reduce, reuse, and recycle) and support for implementation of 3R projects in various countries and establish a network for advancing 3R.

Dates｜Monday, March 4 to Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Place｜Bangkok, Thailand (Venue: Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers)
Co-Organizers｜Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan (MoEJ); Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), Thailand; United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD)
Participants｜Governments, international organizations, research institutes, aid agencies, private companies, NGOs, and more
Theme｜3R as a Way for Moving towards Sufficiency Economy – Implications for SDGs

2019/02/23

TBM’s Hatori to Speak at JCI Kanazawa Conference 2019 Panel Discussion

Tokuro Hatori, Sustainability Accelerator at TBM’s Corporate Communications Department , will be a panelist speaker at a panel discussion for JCI Kanazawa Conference 2019 to be held in Kanazawa City from Friday, February 22 to Sunday, February 24. In 2015, the JCI World Conference Kanazawa adopted the Kanazawa Declaration in which JCI (Junior Chamber International) pledged to collaborate towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. The JCI Kanazawa Conference is held with the objective of sharing information on activities for achieving SDGs in various areas in order to deepen understanding of the SDGs and promote actions.

Date & Time ｜Sunday, February 24, 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Place｜Akabane Hall, 2F, Hokkoku Shimbun Akabane Hall
Theme｜Panel Discussion, SDGs Goal 6 “Why Incorporate the SDGs into Business Administration”

2018/12/17

TBM promotes the development of a circular community through the upcycling of LIMEX with Kanagawa Prefecture, aimed at contributing to SDGs

TBM and Kanagawa Prefecture will promote the development of a circular community through the upcycling of LIMEX, aimed at contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations. Prior to launching the upcycling model demonstration project, TBM and Kanagawa Prefecture will form the Kanagawa Upcycle Consortium, which invites local municipalities, companies, and associations in Kanagawa Prefecture as partners. The two parties will set up a secretariat to form the consortium and lead the world in establishing a circular community development model unique to Kanagawa Prefecture.

2018/12/17

Featured in The Nikkei Business Daily
“TBM Ranks Top in NEXT Unicorn Survey: Increase in Enterprise Value”

Featured in The Nikkei Business Daily “TBM Ranks Top in NEXT Unicorn Survey: Increase in Enterprise Value” An article featuring LIMEX was published in The Nikkei Business Daily on December 17, 2018 (Monday) entitled “TBM Ranks Top in NEXT Unicorn Survey: Increase in Enterprise Value.” The article features LIMEX as a plastic alternative attracting attention following a global movement to regulate plastic waste.

2018/12/17

Featured in The Nikkei
TBM ranked fourth in Next Unicorn Survey

TBM was featured on the front page of The Nikkei on December 17, 2018 (Monday) in an article featuring the next unicorn startups entitled “Number of Startups Valued at Over JPY 10 billion Doubled.” TBM was ranked fourth in estimated enterprise value ranking. TBM was also covered in other sections, including the Emerging/Middle Market Biz section, which posted CEO Yamasaki’s interview and an article on LIMEX, and the special website for the Next Unicorn Survey.

2018/12/11

TBM Announces the Concept Model of
Alternatives to Single-use Plastic Bags at COP 24

TBM announces close to launching LIMEX and Plax bags on the market as alternatives to single-use plastic bags.
Furthermore, TBM is honored to participate in COP24 as a delegation of Japan. On 12th December 2018 (Local Time 13:15-14:30), TBM will host an event, ‘LIMEX – Limestone paves the road to a de-carbonised circular economy’, in Japan Pavilion. Here, TBM will introduce the concept model of alternatives to single-use plastic bags made of LIMEX and Plax.
See the press release >>

2018/12/06

TBM acquires Bioworks Corporation,
a Company that Develops Modifier for Bioplastics, as a Subsidiary

TBM now holds shares of Bioworks Corporation (Bioworks), the company that develops a highly functional modifier, and acquired the company as its subsidiary.
See the press release >>

2018/11/19

Featured on Bloomberg
Goldman Sachs Investing in Startup That Makes Paper From Stones

An article introducing LIMEX, titled “Goldman Sachs Investing in Startup That Makes Paper From Stones,” was published on Bloomberg. The article states that Goldman Sachs Group is seeking to make investments in 10 to 15 Japanese companies with superior technologies, and as part of this, Goldman Sachs bought a stake in TBM, a firm they considered would become a unicorn (startup with a valuation of over $1 billion) in the future.
See the article >>

2018/11/15

TBM Raises Capital of 3.1 Billion Yen in Aggregate
Creating Synergy with Respective Companies to Expand Business

TBM has conducted third-party share allocations to ITOCHU Corporation, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Shinsei Corporate Investment, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., DIP Corporation, Toppan Printing Co., Ltd., FRANCE BED HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. and MITSUBISHI PENCIL Co., Ltd.
See the press release >>

2018/11/06

TBM selected to work in collaboration in the Acceleration Program
under the JR East Startup Program

TBM has been selected for the Acceleration Program under Japan Railways East Startup Program 2018. TBM will conduct a test marketing for umbrella sharing service based in train stations with prototypes made of LIMEX. The sharing service of LIMEX umbrellas will contribute to eliminating the current cycle of mass production and mass wasted plastic umbrellas, starting with train stations of JR East.
See the press release >>

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