Recycling plant operation business
Using near-infrared sorting technology, we operate the world's first plant that automatically sorts and recycles collected LIMEX and general-purpose plastics. The Yokosuka circular factory, which will be completed in November 2022, will be one of the largest in Japan, and similar factories are planned to be opened domestically and internationally. We will promote material circulation model through material mechanical recycling towards a decarbonized and recycling-oriented society.
Yokosuka circular factory
- Site area
- 13,693㎡
- Building floor area
- 7,859㎡
- Processing volume
- 40,000 tons per year
- Production volume
- 24,000 tons per year
- Location
- 58-9 Shinmeicho, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Features of the Yokosuka Circular Factory
The world's first plant that automatically sorts and recycles LIMEX and general-purpose plastics.
In cooperation with a major overseas sorting machine manufacturer, we are proceeding with the verification of material detection and sorting using near-infrared rays.
We have developed a unique program that automatically separates LIMEX from other materials such as plastic and paper.
One of Japan's largest plastic mechanical recycling plants
The plant has an annual processing capacity of approximately 40,000 tons and an annual production capacity of approximately 24,000 tons of recycled pellets.
It is one of the largest plastic mechanical recycling in Japan.
Became a pioneer in collection and recycling of plastic waste from households
While there is a demand for a recycling system that supports recycling of plastic resources,
this plant can sort and recycle miscellaneous waste plastics discharged from households.
Recycle miscellaneous business-related waste plastics that have been incinerated
With the introduction of an automatic sorting line, waste that was discharged from offices and factories that were previously incinerated
will be accepted and recycled.
At the Yokosuka Circular Factory, we are working with Yokosuka City, which has declared itself a "Zero Carbon City."
We are currently conducting demonstration experiments on mechanical recycling used LIMEX and waste plastic materials.
Recycling plant operation expansion strategy
-
1. Container and Packaging Recycling Association Route
Obtained indirect underwriting contracts through multiple local governments and the Container Recycling Association
13,290t in FY2023 -
2. Ministerial Certification Route (New Plastics Law)
Obtained direct underwriting contract from Yokosuka City -
3. Industrial waste plastic
Obtaining valuable underwriting contracts directly from industrial waste plastic contributors (real estate development companies, etc.) -
4. Single-use plastic from industry
Valuable purchase of single plastic materials such as factory scraps
Plans are to repelletize the material at TBM and sell it
Expand in Japan and overseas
Using the Yokosuka Circular Factory as a model case, which collects used LIMEX and general-purpose plastics discharged from households in bulk, automatically sorts them in the factory, and manufactures recycled pellets from each, we are using the Yokosuka Circular Factory as a model case to help other countries in Japan that rely on incineration and heat recovery to process waste plastics. We will expand into the area. We also plan to roll out this scheme as a solution to building recycling systems in overseas areas where household plastic separation mechanisms are underdeveloped.
Background to the need for mechanical recycling plants
mechanical recycling rate not increasing
In 2021, Japan's plastic material mechanical recycling rate is 21%, with a thermal recovery rate of 63% + simple incineration 8%. The rate of thermal recovery has been increasing since the revision of the Container and Packaging Recycling Law in 2006. According to EU estimates (2021), mechanical recycling rate of plastic packaging waste in the 27 EU countries is an average of 39.7%.
References: "Basic knowledge of plastic recycling 2023" (Plastic Recycling Association), "EU packaging waste generation with record increase" (2021, Eurostat: European statistical office)Improving the resource value of waste plastic is a challenge
Among general waste, PET bottles and plastic containers and packaging collected through routes based on the Container and Packaging Recycling Law, and waste plastic production and processing losses from industrial waste, are being collected and recycled separately. However, for other waste plastics, the market based on the resource value has not been fully formed, so there is little incentive for separate collection, and waste plastics with inherently high value are often sent to thermal recovery by being mixed with low-value waste plastics. To achieve this, it is necessary to increase the amount of waste plastic recycled by implementing efficient separate collection and sorting (establishment of sorting centers, etc.) according to the resource value of the waste plastic. In addition, it is necessary to promote environmentally conscious design based on the guidelines for designing plastic-using products based on the Plastic material circulation Promotion Law, securing high-quality waste plastics through voluntary collection, and economically rational recycling by collecting containers and packaging and product plastics together. "Growth-oriented Resource Autonomous Economy Strategy" (2023, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
