Press release
TBM and analytical specialist Clearise are collaborating on the joint development of chemical management and quality assurance schemes for PCR-recycled material.
A basic agreement was concluded.
~Promoting the widespread use of recycled material through the creation of evaluation standards~
TBM Co., Ltd., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Nobuyoshi Yamasaki; hereinafter referred to as TBM), which possesses technical expertise in enhancing the functionality of recycled material through material development, and Clearise Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture; Representative Director: Yoshihisa Sekine; hereinafter referred to as Clearise), an independent analytical specialist company that handles everything from material analysis to safety evaluation, have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the purpose of jointly developing a scheme for managing regulated chemical substances and ensuring quality in PCR-recycled material *.
Through this collaboration, we will eliminate the lack of transparency in chemical substance management, which has been one of the biggest obstacles to the distribution of recycled material. We will promote the creation of an environment in which companies can confidently adopt recycled material in markets that demand high quality and safety standards, such as the automotive industry. At the same time, we will promote the widespread adoption of "CirculeX," a high-performance recycled material that possesses strength exceeding that of virgin plastics, thanks to TBM's unique technology.
* PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled): Recycled materials such as plastic products that are collected after consumers have used the product.
Background
Currently, legal regulations concerning material circulation of plastics are being strengthened in various countries. In Europe, efforts toward realizing a circular economy are accelerating, with the publication of a new draft ELV (End-of-Life Vehicles) regulation that mandates the use of recycled plastics in new vehicles* 1 and the entry into force of the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) that mandates the recycled material content of packaging materials* 2, and there is a strong demand for the use of recycled material. In Japan, too, based on the "Plastic material circulation Strategy," a target has been set to double the recycling of plastics by 2030, and material circulation movements involving both the public and private sectors are becoming more active.
In response to these trends, the recycled plastics market is experiencing strong growth both domestically and internationally. The domestic market is projected to reach approximately 171.9 billion yen in 2024 and approximately 325.9 billion yen in 2040* 3, while the global market is projected to reach approximately 13.7 trillion yen in 2025 and approximately 23.7 trillion yen in 2032* 4.
On the other hand, further widespread adoption of recycled material requires the same strict chemical management as for petroleum-based virgin plastics (new plastic materials). While compliance with stringent chemical regulations such as Japan's "Chemical Substances Control Law and Industrial Safety and Health Law," overseas standards like "REACH/RoHS," and the automotive industry's unique "GADSL" is required, these management rules have yet to be established for recycled material recovered through various routes. In particular, for end-users such as automobile manufacturers, who prioritize safety and quality above all else, the lack of clear chemical risk management standards has been a major dilemma hindering the adoption of recycled material.
* 1 JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization): EU reaches political agreement on vehicle design and end-of-life (ELV) regulations to promote circularity from the design stage (EU)
* 2 Delegation of Japan to the European Union: Overview of the EU's PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation)
* 3 Fuji Keizai Co., Ltd.: Survey of the market for recycled plastics and biomass plastics.
* 4 Markets and Markets: Recycled Plastics Market
■ Cooperation details
Based on this MOU, we will leverage TBM's manufacturing know-how and market needs and regulatory expertise cultivated through recycled material development, along with Clearise's advanced analytical technologies such as mass spectrometry, to promote the development of a new quality assurance scheme that visualizes risks specific to recycled material. Going beyond a mere business alliance, we will jointly develop the "chemical substance management rules (evaluation standards) for recycled material," which is a challenge for the entire industry, thereby creating an environment in which companies can confidently adopt recycled material. At the same time, we will promote the widespread adoption of "CirculeX," a high-performance recycled material, despite being derived from used plastics, possesses strength* exceeding that of virgin plastics.
* Calculation method: Comparison evaluation results with PP (polypropylene) in tests conforming to JIS K 7171 (flexural strength) and JIS K 7111 (Charpy impact strength) (company research). Physical property values are representative values and not guaranteed values. Applicable grades: "High-strength + low-odor grade", "High-strength grade"
Joint development of new evaluation standards and quality assurance schemes for PCR recycled material
We will jointly develop a new evaluation standard to objectively prove the absence of regulated chemical substances that may be present in recycled material. By combining TBM's market needs and legal regulatory information from the automotive industry and other sectors with Clearize's expertise, we aim to create an industry standard by building a quality assurance system with clearly defined analysis items and acceptance criteria.
Establishment of analytical methods for recycled material using advanced analytical techniques and risk assessment.
Leveraging Clearise's advanced analytical technologies, such as mass spectrometry, we will develop precise analytical methods and conduct risk assessments specifically for recycled material. TBM will provide its expertise in its recycled material manufacturing process and establish a highly practical evaluation system, thereby eliminating the opaque chemical risks that have been a barrier to the adoption of recycled material.
- Support for introduction and solution development in high-end markets such as the automotive industry.
We provide reliable, evidence-based support for the introduction of recycled material due to stringent standards. By proposing high-performance recycled material solutions with guaranteed safety, we will accelerate material circulation in the high-end market.
■ About Clearize Co., Ltd.
Clearize Co., Ltd. is a highly technical analytical specialist company established based on the analytical and measurement technologies of the Hitachi Group. In a wide range of fields including material analysis, structural analysis, and environmental analysis, Clearize utilizes advanced material evaluation techniques using electron microscopes and other advanced equipment, as well as state-of-the-art precision analytical instruments such as LC/MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) and GC/MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), to provide comprehensive contract analysis and testing services from both physical and chemical perspectives. With high expertise in product reliability evaluation testing, lifespan prediction, and precise analysis of trace components, Clearize provides services to a wide range of industries as a research and development partner that strongly supports companies' quality assurance systems from a technical standpoint, including compliance with domestic and international regulations on chemical substances.
■ About the high-performance recycled material "CirculeX"
"CirculeX" is a high-performance recycled material developed by TBM using its unique blending and mixing technologies cultivated in material development, using container and packaging plastics discarded from households as raw materials. It solves the problems of reduced physical properties and odor that have been major obstacles for conventional PCR recycled material recycled material also virgin plastics in terms of bending strength and impact resistance. Flexible grade proposals such as "high strength + low odor" can be made to meet customer needs, and it can be used in a wide range of product applications, both indoors and outdoors, including furniture, home appliance parts, and automotive interior materials, where the adoption of recycled material has been avoided in the past due to odor and insufficient strength.
(Related site) About "CirculeX": https://tb-m.com/business/circulex/