Last updated: May 1, 2024
LIMEX Pellet
炭酸カルシウム(石灰石)などを主原料とするLIMEX Pellet(ライメックスペレット)は、プラスチックの代替として使用できる素材です。炭酸カルシウム粉末とポリオレフィン系の熱可塑性樹脂、各種添加剤を加熱・混練し、均一に分散させた複合材を、均一な大きさ・形状にカットすることで製造されます。一般的なプラスチックペレットと同様に、さまざまな成形方法に対応でき、既存設備で活用いただけます。
As an alternative to petroleum-based plastics
「LIMEX Pellet」は、従来の石油由来プラスチックに比べ、石油の使用量を大幅に削減でき、限りある石油資源の保全に貢献できます。また、原材料の調達から処分までのライフサイクル全体でCO2排出抑制が可能です。主原料の石灰石は石油由来プラスチックと比較し、供給安定性が優れており、価格の変動が少ないため、安定した価格での提供が可能です。
「LIMEX Pellet」は、単一素材と同様に既存のリサイクル設備で容易にマテリアルリサイクルが可能なため、「LIMEX Sheet」を製造する過程で生じる端材を再ペレット化した「LIMEX R Pellet」や、使用済みのLIMEX製品を再ペレット化した「LIMEX UP Pellet」を提供しています。
また、袋製品については石油由来プラスチックを植物由来プラスチックに置き換えた「Bio LIMEX」の素材開発を実現しています。製品のライフサイクルで生じる環境影響については、LCA(ライフサイクルアセスメント)を通して環境影響の可視化とその抑制に取り組んでいます。
ここでは、各種石油由来プラスチックと比較した環境性能について、製品のライフサイクル全体(原料調達段階から処分)を通じてのCO2等の温室効果ガス(GHG)排出量や石油由来プラスチックの使用量といった詳細データによって具体的にお示しします。
• 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 by molding application
LIMEX Pellet は、多様な成形方法に対応でき、インフレーション、真空、射出、ブローなどの成形方法ごと、ご希望の用途に応じて物性値の異なる多様なグレードを取り揃えています(成形段階でのGHG排出量に関しては成形する製品によって数値が異なるため、ここでは割愛しています)。
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: 1 kg pellets (including undiluted MB)
• Scope: [raw material procurement/pelletization] - [transportation] - [disposal]
• Transportation: 300 km of truck transportation in Japan is assumed. Marine transportation is also included for overseas manufactured products.
• Disposal: Assumed to be incinerated as general waste *The molding process is not considered
• Calculation year: 2022 and 2023
Reduction of petroleum-based plastics
Environmental performance as a 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