最終更新日: 2025年3月18日
LIMEX Pellet
LIMEX Pellet, whose main raw material is calcium carbonate (limestone), is a material that can be used as a substitute for plastic. It is manufactured by heating and mixing calcium carbonate powder, polyolefin thermoplastic resin, and various additives, and cutting the uniformly dispersed composite material into uniform sizes and shapes. Like general plastic pellets, it can be used in a variety of molding methods and can be used with existing equipment.
As an alternative to petroleum-based plastics
Compared to conventional petroleum-based plastics, "LIMEX Pellet" can significantly reduce the amount of petroleum used, contributing to the conservation of limited petroleum resources. It also makes it possible to reduce CO2 emissions throughout the entire lifecycle, from procurement of raw materials to disposal. The main raw material, limestone, has a stable supply compared to petroleum-based plastics, and its price fluctuates little, making it possible to provide it at a stable price.
"LIMEX Pellet" can be easily mechanical recycling in existing recycling facilities just like single materials, so we offer "LIMEX R Pellet" made by re-pelletizing scraps generated during the manufacturing process of "LIMEX Sheet", and "LIMEX UP Pellet" made by re-pelletizing used LIMEX products. We have also developed a material called "Bio LIMEX" for bag products, replacing petroleum-based plastic with plant-derived plastic. We are working to visualize and reduce the environmental impact that occurs during the product life cycle through LCA (Life Cycle Assessment).
This section provides specific details about the environmental performance of PET bottles in comparison with other petroleum-based plastics, including detailed data on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as CO2 throughout the product's entire life cycle (from raw materials procurement to disposal) and the amount of petroleum-based plastics used.
• Inventory database (main reference for emission intensity): LCI database IDEA version 2.2 (2018/01/18) ・IDEA version 2.3 (2019/12/27) ・version 3.2.0 (2022/04/15)| IDEA Lab, Safety Science Research Division, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology | Sustainable Management 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 as 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

Blown film 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

blow molding
GHG emissions

• Functional unit: 1 bottle (manufactured by LIMEX: 75g/bottle)
• Scope: [Pellet procurement/manufacturing - blow molding - disposal]
• Disposal: Assume incineration as general waste.
*The impact of blow molding is assumed to be the same for LIMEX based on HDPE.
* Evaluate the simplified process flow by grasping the key points of the supply chain
• Calculation year: 2023
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