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The next generation LIMEX is
Created through carbon recycling

Carbon recycling is a technology that regards CO 2 as a carbon resource (carbon), collects it, and reuses (recycles) it as various carbon compounds.

Fuels, chemicals, and minerals can be manufactured using recovered CO 2 as raw material, which reduces GHG emissions including CO 2 released into the atmosphere compared to conventional fossil fuel-based products, and contributes to climate change. You can contribute to solving fluctuation problems.

Calcium carbonate, the main raw material for LIMEX, is not derived from minerals such as limestone, but is a raw material derived from CO 2 recovered from the atmosphere and exhaust gas using carbon recycling technology, making it carbon negative *1.

"Next Generation LIMEX *2" replaces the mineral-derived calcium carbonate used in conventional LIMEX, which uses limestone as its main raw material, with CO2 derived from exhaust gas and calcium-containing substances discharged from factories such as concrete sludge and steel slag. It is a low-carbon material that promotes contribution to carbon neutrality by replacing waste with calcium carbonate, which is chemically synthesized using a process with a low environmental impact.

次世代LIMEXの製造プロセス画像 *1 A state in which the amount of greenhouse gases removed and absorbed is greater than the greenhouse gas emissions from economic activities.
*2Next-generation LIMEX also falls under the definition of conventional LIMEX materials, which is a composite material with an inorganic filler dispersion system that contains 50% or more of inorganic substances such as calcium carbonate.

Huge impact of carbon recycling on decarbonization

According to the IEA's predictions, the expected reduction contribution of CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, Storage), which includes carbon recycling technology, to energy-derived CO2 emissions is approximately 19%, making it one of the top 3 It's in. The spread of carbon recycling technology can greatly contribute to creating a carbon-neutral society.

Source: IEA “Energy Technology Perspectives 2020”

Rapidly growing carbon recycling market

ICEF predicts that the market size of products made from CO2 using carbon recycling technology as raw material will grow to $297.5 billion (approximately 40 trillion yen) in 2025 and to $837 billion (approximately 120 trillion yen) in 2030. It is said that it can be done.

Source: The Innovation for Cool Earth Forum (ICEF); Carbon Dioxide Utilizaiton (CO2U) – ICEF ROADMAP 1.0, assuming 1 dollar = 140 yen

Development history of next-generation LIMEX

LIMEX is an inorganic filler-dispersed composite material containing over 50% inorganic substances such as calcium carbonate. Until now, the use of limestone-derived calcium carbonate, which is abundant and has low risk of depletion, has been used as an alternative material for plastics that can reduce the amount of petroleum-based plastics used and CO2 emissions throughout the life cycle, and also reduce water consumption. It has already been adopted by more than 10,000 companies and local governments (including the number of business establishments) as an alternative material to paper that reduces waste.

In 2013, TBM was selected for the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's innovation center location promotion project "Subsidy for advanced technology demonstration and evaluation equipment maintenance costs, etc.", and from 2016 we will expand the use of products using LIMEX materials in society, and in 2021. With the support of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Subsidy for the location of companies that create employment in areas affected by tsunami and nuclear disasters (manufacturing industry location support project)", we completed a mass production factory (Tagajo City, Miyagi Prefecture), and have expanded our business both domestically and overseas. We have also built a global supply chain by establishing a production system for LIMEX materials and establishing overseas subsidiaries.

In terms of research and development, we have been selected for the NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization)'s Strategic Energy Saving Technology Innovation Program, and have been working with many domestic and international partners to develop materials through open innovation. Ta. Additionally, we have registered over 200 patents worldwide and obtained them in over 40 countries. In addition to being introduced at international conferences such as COP and G20, it has also been registered as an outstanding Japanese technology on UNIDO's (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) sustainable technology dissemination platform STePP.

The development of next-generation LIMEX has also been selected for NEDO's ``Project to promote the commercialization of startups that utilize latent technology seeds in the region and technology seeds in the energy and environment fields,'' and we have also conducted joint research with Tohoku University. Ta. Finally, we were able to find a way to commercialize the product.

NEDOと東北大学のロゴ

Features of next generation LIMEX

The next-generation LIMEX uses mineral-derived calcium carbonate, which was used in the conventional LIMEX, which uses limestone as its main raw material, from CO2 from exhaust gas and calcium-containing waste discharged from factories, such as concrete sludge and steel slag. It is a low-carbon material that contributes to carbon neutrality by replacing it with calcium carbonate, which is chemically synthesized using a process with a low environmental impact.

Technical development of calcium carbonate suitable for LIMEX

It is important to design and control the particle shape and size of calcium carbonate, which is chemically synthesized using carbon recycling technology, to suit LIMEX. Through the development of LIMEX, TBM has registered over 200 patents in over 40 countries around the world. We have already obtained a domestic patent for material development using carbon recycling technology.

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Environmental performance of next-generation LIMEX

By using calcium carbonate as the main raw material, which is made by absorbing and fixing CO 2 from the atmosphere and exhaust gas using carbon recycling technology, when manufacturing plastic substitutes, compared to conventional petroleum-based plastic products, It is possible to reduce the amount of petroleum-derived plastic used and CO 2 emissions throughout the life cycle. Furthermore, it is possible to recycle the CO 2 repeatedly while fixing it. Furthermore, by using calcium-containing waste as a raw material, it also contributes to the effective use of resources through recycling.

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Wide range of next-generation LIMEX applications with high added value

In the past, calcium carbonate produced through carbon recycling was mainly considered for use in cement and aggregate. Next-generation LIMEX can be used in a variety of high value-added applications, from industrial materials to everyday consumer goods, such as industrial films, food packaging, and label base materials.

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Image of technology

As a member of the World Economic Forum's Unicorn Community, I attended the World Economic Forum's Annual General Meeting (commonly known as the Davos Conference, held from January 15th to 19th, 2024 in Davos, eastern Switzerland). At the same time, we announced prototype injection molded products and sheet products that will serve as prototypes for the next-generation LIMEX.

In addition to global innovation through the technological capabilities of the new material "LIMEX," TBM was recognized for its operation of Japan's largest material recycling plant, construction of a material recycling system for LIMEX and plastics, and business related to resource circulation. We participated in the "Unicorn Community" in June.

Click here for the interview video of Davos Conference Live 2024 (TV Tokyo BIZ Youtube Channel)
Click here for the agenda paper (contributed article)

In the future, TBM will aim to mass produce the next-generation LIMEX announced this time, and at the same time, will further reduce its environmental impact by using plant-derived resins and recycled resins for the resin part, which is an auxiliary raw material, instead of conventional petroleum-derived ones. In the future, we will promote the development of carbon negative materials.

Partner introduction

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Greenore is a spin-off company from Columbia University in 2016, co-founded by Professor Alissa Park and Dr. Sean Zhou, a Columbia University research team that was working on developing CCUS technology.
In 2023, through a joint venture with Baotou Steel, a Chinese state-owned steel manufacturer, Greenore will be the first in the world to launch a mass production factory for CCU calcium carbonate, capturing CO 2 emitted from chemical plants and releasing it from steel plants. By chemically synthesizing calcium ions contained in steel slag, a by-product, we produce calcium carbonate, which is expected to be carbon negative based on LCA.
TBM has developed next generation LIMEX using CCU calcium carbonate manufactured by Greenore as the main raw material. This innovative product was unveiled as a prototype at Davos 2024.

GREEN OREのロゴ

Developer story

Mr. Nakamura's image

Tomoya NakamuraNext Generation Business Promotion Office Manager/Administration Headquarters Assistant Manager

After joining Accenture's Strategy Group in 2008, he has experience in a wide range of projects including medium-term planning for manufacturing clients, new market entry strategy formulation, sales reform, and digital transformation. In 2017, he joined TBM Co., Ltd. and was involved in overseas expansion and application development. In 2018, he was involved in the grouping of Bioworks Co., Ltd. and became a director. In 2021, he was involved in a capital and business alliance with the SK Group and became a director of SK TBMGEOSTONE, a joint venture with the SK Group.

Challenges to popularize CCU technology

We are very happy to announce that we have set our sights on developing next-generation LIMEX, which captures CO 2 from exhaust gas and uses it as a raw material.

In order to balance population growth, economic development in developing countries, and decarbonization, it is essential not only to reduce CO 2 emissions, but also to absorb and reuse emitted CO 2. So, for the energy sector to achieve carbon neutrality in 2070, CCUS will have to account for approximately 19%.

However, we cannot wait until 2070. According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's carbon recycling roadmap, products using CCU technology will not be widely available until around 2030, but we are working to bring this forward and spread products using CCU technology into society as soon as possible. I have tried my best.

Due to technical and quality issues, carbonates containing calcium carbonate, which are made from CO 2, were considered to be mainly used as raw materials for concrete and cement, but the cost was not suitable. Next-generation LIMEX is a high-value-added outlet for this calcium carbonate, and as a company aiming to become a top player in the sustainability field, we feel that we have a responsibility to take the lead in spreading CCU technology through next-generation LIMEX. .

In Japan's basic policy for achieving GX, the content of public comments from TBM has been recognized, and measures to support the introduction and demand stimulation of calcium carbonate products should be added to the section on CO2 reduction concrete, etc. It's done.

Although our challenge has only just begun, we will continue to strive to popularize CCU technology and meet the expectations of the countries, local governments, and many companies that support us. Thank you for your continued support. .

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Mr. Takamatsu's image

Yorinobu Takamatsu Technology Center Director

After graduating from Waseda Graduate School, he engaged in research and development of polymer technology at 3M Japan Co., Ltd. and held the position of Senior Specialist (Technical Ladder). Engaged in research and development of molecular design and polymerization technology for adhesives and adhesives, mainly based on acrylic polymers, and application to manufacturing technology. He has filed 108 patent applications in Japan (54 international applications), obtained 43 patents, launched various products, and contributed to annual sales of approximately 20 billion yen. Joined TBM in 2021. At the Technology Center, which is the core of TBM's technology, he is involved in all material development work, including developing compound materials suitable for various uses for LIMEX and CircleX, adding functionality, and developing new products.

Development of next-generation LIMEX that brings together technical know-how

As the director of the Technology Center, our technology base, I am promoting the development of LIMEX for a variety of applications. The core technology of TBM is a kneading technology to uniformly fill the resin with 50% or more of inorganic filler, such as calcium carbonate, and a kneading technology that is compatible with existing molding methods (injection, extrusion, blowing, inflation, vacuum, etc.). This is the compounding technology and molding technology.

Calcium carbonate obtained by CCU technology and the heavy calcium carbonate currently mainly used are similar and different, and we have developed an understanding of their production mechanism, clarified the differences in their properties, and the technical know-how we have accumulated to date. We are bringing together the following and developing it into the next generation of LIMEX. I want to spread LIMEX so that everything around us becomes LIMEX.

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Mr. Takahashi's image

Kenshi TakahashiNext Generation Business Promotion Office/Production Technology Department

After completing his studies at Tohoku University Graduate School of Environmental Science, he joined Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. In addition to engaging in the development of waste recycling processes, he also gained experience in supporting the startup of a new factory. In 2021, joined TBM Co., Ltd. Involved in the startup of the Tagajo factory and production process improvements, as well as promoting technological development towards the realization of next-generation LIMEX.

Toward realizing the potential of next-generation LIMEX

Since my university days, I have consistently worked to solve environmental and recycling issues. As I was looking for a new challenge as I turned 30, I came across LIMEX and joined TBM because I was attracted to its innovative concept and its potential to further improve environmental performance through the use of carbon recycling technology. Did.

Technology development for next-generation LIMEX started around April 2021. However, at that time, the in-house research environment was not fully developed, and we had to think about how to specifically conduct research and how to proceed efficiently with limited resources. Meanwhile, with the cooperation of professors at Tohoku University, with whom we had contact, we gradually verified the technology and developed into joint research with the same university. Furthermore, it was selected as a NEDO grant project, accelerating development. Despite all the hardships we faced, I believe we were able to achieve commercialization in a short period of time.

On the other hand, there are still challenges for social implementation. In addition, calcium carbonate produced through carbon recycling has the potential to not only improve environmental performance but also have various functions. We will continue to work hard to realize this great potential.

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LIMEX INNOVATION REPORT

LIMEX Innovation Report

The Technology and Potential

P46

Creating LIMEX using recycling technology

P50

LIMEX evolves into an environmentally appealing material that tackles CO2​

Yoshiyuki Kojima: Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science and Engineering, Nihon University

Chairman of the Inorganic Materials Society
LIMEX2.0 logo

Low Impact Material for Earth

The evolving LIMEX brand

Derived from limestone, LIMEX uses the stone symbol. The name LIMEX originally came from the fact that limestone is Limestone in English.

LIMEX was born from calcium carbonate, which is a new technology that recovers and recycles CO 2 from factory exhaust gas, and because it is not calcium carbonate derived from limestone, we designed the LIMEX 2.0 symbol, which is not a stone. We will inherit the current LIMEX, which has an overall shape of X and have infinite possibilities, and promote branding as an even more evolved LIMEX as an environmentally friendly new material originating from Japan.

In order to maintain the global environment where people live, we will incorporate new chemical synthesis technology, and the meaning of LIME in LIMEX will evolve to "Low Impact Material for Earth."

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Yusei Sone

Yusei Sone

TBM Co., Ltd. Public Relations and Marketing Headquarters
Brand creative team manager

After graduating from university, he established SONE DESIGN in 2009 after gaining 9 years of experience in various creative fields at a production company (Provision), a product development company (GPP), and a design company (TSDO). Focusing on graphic design related to branding, logo mark development, packaging, and editorial, he works as a branding director in a wide range of fields including video, photography, websites, products, product development, and exhibitions. Joined TBM in 2022 to promote branding and creativity.

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