LIMEX Pellet
Limestone-based LIMEX Pellet is a material that can be used as an alternative to plastic. It is manufactured by heating and kneading calcium carbonate powder, polyolefin-based thermoplastic resin, and various additives. It can be molded with existing equipment for a variety of molding methods.
As an alternative to petroleum-based plastics
“LIMEX Pellet” can significantly reduce the amount of petroleum used compared to conventional petroleum-based plastics, contributing to the conservation of limited petroleum resources. In addition, it can reduce CO2 emissions throughout the product life cycle, from procurement of raw materials to disposal. Compared to petroleum-based plastics, limestone, which is the main raw material, has superior supply stability and less price fluctuations.
For bag products, we have developed a material called “Bio LIMEX” that replaces petroleum-based plastic with plant-derived plastic. With regard to the environmental impact that occurs during the product life cycle, we are working to visualize and control the environmental impact through LCA (Life Cycle Assessment).
• Inventory database (main reference for emission intensity): LCI database IDEA version 2.2 (2018/01/18) and version 2.3 (2019/12/27) | National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Safety Science Research Division IDEA Lab｜Sustainable Management Promotion Organization (SuMPO)
• Impact assessment method: Climate change IPCC 2013 GWP 100a
Comparison with other companies' products is not possible. ｜It is a calculated value when manufactured under specific manufacturing conditions and is not a guaranteed value. ｜The amount of plastic reduction does not include losses during manufacturing.
Environmental performance of LIMEX Pellet by molding application
LIMEX Pellet can be used in a variety of molding methods, and we offer a variety of grades with different physical properties depending on the desired application for each molding method, such as, injection, inflation, and thermoforming.
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: 1 kg pellet
• Scope: [Raw material procurement/Pellet production] - [Transportation] - [Disposal]
• Transportation: Only for LIMEX, considering Vietnam → Japan's marine transportation
• Disposal: Assumed to be incinerated as general waste
*The molding process is not taken into consideration.
• Calculation year: 2022
Reduction of petroleum-based plastics
Environmental performance as a plastic alternative
We compared greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and petroleum-based plastics reductions throughout the life cycle (from the raw material procurement stage to disposal) of each product molded with LIMEX Pellet with existing plastic products.
Thermoforming product
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: 1 drinking cup (14.4g by LIMEX)
• Scope: [raw material procurement/pellet manufacturing] - [sheeting] - [vacuum forming] - [disposal]
• Molding: The load during molding is assumed to be the same as PPF
• Disposal: Assumed to be incinerated as general waste
• Calculation year: 2022
Reduction of petroleum-based plastics
Inflation molding products
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: 1 shopping bag (5.8g by LIMEX)
• Scope: [raw material procurement/pellet manufacturing] - [molding] - [transportation] - [disposal]
• Disposal: Assumed to be incinerated as general waste
• Calculation year: 2019
Reduction of petroleum-based plastics
Injection molded product
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: 1 flowerpot (1.51kg made by LIMEX)
• Scope: [raw material procurement/pellet manufacturing] - [injection molding] - [transportation] - [disposal]
• Transportation: LIMEX only Considering Vietnam → Japan marine transportation
• Molding: The load during molding is assumed to be the same as PP.
• Disposal: Assume incineration as general waste.
• Calculation year: 2022
Reduction of petroleum-based plastics
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through recycling
Greehouse gas (GHG) emissions throughout the life cycle of LIMEX products can be significantly reduced by mechanically recycling instead of incineration.
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: 1 drinking cup (14.4g by LIMEX)
• Scope: [raw material procurement/pellet manufacturing] - [sheeting] - [vacuum forming] - [disposal]
• Disposal: Assumed to be bale
• Calculation year: 2022
