Development and sales of recycled materials and products made from recycled materials
CirculeX is a recycled material containing more than 50% recycled materials, made from used plastics, LIMEX, etc. We promote the realization of a material circulation circulating society in which plastic products and LIMEX products in circulation are properly collected, recycled, and remanufactured.
Resolving environmental problems with recycled plastics
Reduce the use of virgin plastic
Reduce CO2 emissions
By using waste plastics and other materials instead of virgin materials (non-renewable materials), we can reduce the amount of petroleum resources used and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions.
Promote material circulation
by mechanical recycling
Rather than thermal recovery, which uses the heat generated by incinerating waste for power generation or hot water supply, we promote material recycling, which has the greatest CO2 reduction effect (kg-CO2) compared to other methods of effective use of plastics, even from the perspective of LCA, a method of mechanical recycling assessment.
Utilization of post-consumer materials
Ensure consistent quality
We can also use post-consumer materials such as plastic products used by consumers. We regularly inspect the materials and can provide recycled materials that maintain a certain level of quality.
Case study
Saera Co., Ltd.: Umbrella
Jointly developed by Saera, PALTAC and TBM. CirculeX is used for the fabric and handle of the umbrella. More than 60 million plastic umbrellas are discarded annually, most of which end up in landfills. By making it "all plastic", it is not only recyclable but also excellent in durability and safety.
Lawson Co., Ltd.: Garbage bags
CirculeX garbage bags, which contain more than 50% recycled plastic from Southeast Asia, are now on sale at Lawson stores nationwide (13,987 stores as of the end of February 2022, excluding Lawson Store 100). Compared to regular garbage bags, they reduce the amount of virgin material used and greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2. They also ensure traceability through raw material certification and are Eco Mark certified.
Mizuno Corporation: Clothing packaging materials
Packaging materials made from 98% recycled materials made from used PET bottle caps and stretch film have been adopted as clothing packaging materials by Mizuno. Mizuno aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and is gradually switching over from June 2022.
Background to the demand for recycled materials
The growing global recycled materials market
The global recycled plastics market is expected to grow from $50.78 billion in 2023 to $88.96 billion in 2030, at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period *1. Among the companies participating in the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, the top 10 brands and manufacturers in terms of plastic consumption are expected to need to supply more than 3 million tons of recycled material per year to achieve their 2025 targets *2.
*1 https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/recycled-plastic-market-102568*2 https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/global-commitment-2023/overview
The need to establish a resource-autonomous economy
Economic growth and population growth have raised concerns about intensifying global competition for limited resources, highlighting the importance of securing stable resources within one's own country or neighboring regions and using and regenerating them efficiently. There is growing momentum to control the risk of supply disruptions of goods and resources through material circulation and to create a "virtuous cycle of environment and growth." Against this background, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry formulated the "Growth-oriented Resource Autonomous Economy Strategy" in March 2023. For Japan, a "resource-poor country" that relies on imports for many resources, the transition to a circular economy that uses resources sustainably could be an opportunity for economic growth and strengthening industrial competitiveness.
