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 reduces CO₂ emissions throughout the entire lifecycle, from raw material procurement to disposal. The main raw material, limestone, has a more stable supply and less price fluctuation than petroleum-based plastics, making it possible to offer 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 offcuts generated during the "LIMEX Sheet" manufacturing process, and "LIMEX UP Pellet" made by re-pelletizing used LIMEX products. We have also developed a "Bio LIMEX" material for our bag products, replacing petroleum-based plastics with plant-derived plastic. We use LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) to visualize and mitigate the environmental impact that occurs throughout the product's life cycle.
This section provides specific details about the environmental performance of this product compared 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 material 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
Amount petroleum-based plastics reduced
Blown film molding products.
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: 1 grocery bag (5.8g made of LIMEX)
• Scope: [Raw material procurement/pellet production] - [Molding] - [Transportation] - [Disposal]
• Disposal: Expected to be incinerated as general waste
• Year of calculation: 2019
Amount petroleum-based plastics reduced
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
Amount petroleum-based plastics reduced
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
Amount petroleum-based plastics reduced
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