Last updated: May 1, 2024
LIMEX Sheet
LIMEX Sheet, whose main raw material is calcium carbonate (limestone), is a material that can be used as an alternative to plastic and paper. Compared to sheets made from petroleum-based plastic, it can reduce the amount of petroleum-based plastic used. In addition, compared to paper, it uses almost no water during production, has excellent durability and water resistance, and can be used both indoors and outdoors. LIMEX Sheet is manufactured at the company's own manufacturing base, the Tohoku LIMEX Factory in Miyagi Prefecture, which uses electricity that is essentially "100% renewable energy-derived" and "zero CO2 emission coefficient."
Compared with synthetic sheets
"LIMEX Sheet" can significantly reduce the amount of plastic compared to synthetic sheets. As a result, we can contribute to the conservation of limited petroleum resources and reduce CO2 emissions throughout the entire lifecycle. Compared to petroleum-based plastics, limestone, which is the main raw material, has superior supply stability and less price fluctuations, so we can offer it at a stable price.
With regard to the environmental impact that occurs during the product life cycle, we are working to visualize and control the environmental impact through LCA (Life Cycle Assessment).
• Inventory database (main reference for emission intensity): LCI database IDEA version 2.3 (2019/12/27), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Safety Science Research Division IDEA Laboratory, General Incorporated Association Act Human Sustainable Management Promotion 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 Sheet
LIMEX Sheet has a lineup of products with various thicknesses and hardness, from 80 μm suitable for booklets and flyers to 400 μm used for table menus.
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: Seat 1㎡
• Scope: [raw material procurement] - [sheet manufacturing] - [disposal]
• Disposal: Assumed to be incinerated as general waste
*Manufacturing conditions, 80 μm, are based on prototype conditions at the TBM Tagajo Plant in 2021, and others are based on the results at the TBM Shiraishi Plant in FY2020.
* Assumed to have a coating suitable for printing
• LIMEX Sheet: Uses electricity derived from virtually 100% renewable energy
• Other plastic sheets: Assumed using average power in Japan
Reduction of petroleum-based plastics
Environmental performance
comapred to synthetic sheets
LIMEX Sheet reduces greenhouse gas emissions and uses less plastic than synthetic sheets.
150 µm
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: Seat 1㎡
• Scope: [raw material procurement] - [sheet manufacturing] - [transportation] - [disposal (incineration)]
• Disposal: Assume incineration as general waste.
*Manufacturing conditions are based on the results of TBM Shiroishi Factory in 2020
* Assumed to have a coating suitable for printing
• LIMEX Sheet: Powered by virtually 100% renewable energy
• Other plastic sheets: Assumed using average power in Japan
• Calculation year: 2021
Reduction of petroleum-based plastics
80 µm
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: seat 1 m2
• Synthetic paper is assumed to be 26.2% calcium carbonate with PP as the main raw material.
• Scope: [raw material procurement] - [sheet manufacturing] - [disposal (incineration)]
• Disposal: Assume incineration as general waste.
*Manufacturing conditions are based on trial production conditions at the TBM Tagajo Factory in 2021.
* Assumed to have a coating suitable for printing
• LIMEX Sheet: Powered by virtually 100% renewable energy
• Other plastic sheets/synthetic paper: Assuming average power consumption in Japan
• Calculation year: 2022
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.
150µm hard
GHG emissions
80µm soft
GHG emissions
• Functional unit: Seat 1㎡
• Scope: 150 μm products [raw material procurement] - [sheet manufacturing] - [transportation] - [disposal] 80 μm products [raw materials procurement] - [sheet manufacturing] - [disposal]
• Disposal: Assume incineration as general waste.
• Recycling: Assumed to be baled
* Manufacturing conditions for 150 μm products are based on the results of TBM Shiroishi Plant in 2020, and 80 μm products are based on prototype conditions at TBM Tagajo Plant in 2021.
* Assumed to have a coating suitable for printing
• Powered by virtually 100% renewable energy
• Calculation year: 2021 for 150μm products, 2022 for 80μm products
Environmental performance compared to paper
"LIMEX Sheet" uses almost no water resources in the manufacturing process and does not use wood pulp, contributing to the conservation of resources that are at high risk of depletion. It is water-proof and tear-proof.
LIMEX Sheet products are burnable and can be incinerated, but we are promoting efforts to recycling them as resources instead of disposing of them as waste.
Uses less water than paper
LIMEX does not need to use almost any water during manufacturing. LIMEX Sheet can reduce the amount of water used in factories per ton of sheet by about 97% compared to paper.
(Source) Trends in new water usage per ton of paper and paperboard production: Japan Paper Association (Source) Value obtained by dividing annual water usage at the Shiroishi mill (excluding 15% domestic water) by annual production volume (The estimated amount of domestic water was smaller than the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Standards for Design and Construction of Water Supply Facilities," "Unit water supply amount by building type, hours of use, and personnel table.")
LIMEX Sheet product numbers, features, and application examples
Can be used for UV offset, oil-based offset*1, LBP*2, digital printing, and inkjet.
*2 Please contact us for 80µm and 150µm models.
- white/soft
- Supple type with high whiteness and low specific gravity
| form | Thickness | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| sheet | 80 μm | Booklets, Flyers, Maps |
| sheet | 150 μm | Posters, booklets, flyers, pamphlets, POP, maps |
| sheet | 200 µm | Posters, booklets, flyers, pamphlets, POP |
| sheet | 300 µm | Business card, menu table, folding box, POP |
| sheet | 400 µm | Business card, menu table, folding box, tapestry, POP |
| roll | 150 μm | Posters, booklets, flyers, pamphlets, POP, maps |
| roll | 200 μm | Posters, booklets, flyers, pamphlets, POP |
| roll | 300 µm | Business card, menu table, folding box, POP |
- Translucent/Hard
- Translucent and strong type
| form | Thickness | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| sheet | 150 μm | File, mask case, illumination film, folding box (assembled box) |
| sheet | 200 μm | File, mask case, illumination film, folding box (assembled box) |
| sheet | 300 µm | File, mask case, illumination film, folding box (assembled box) |
- White/Hard
- Achieves both high whiteness and firmness
| form | Thickness | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| sheet | 300 μm | Table menu, package, door tag, store POP, hand fan, calendar |
| sheet | 400 μm | Table menu, package, door tag, store POP, hand fan, calendar |
