Press Release

August 31, 2021
  • Waste & Recycling

MOEJ launched the "Demonstration Project for a Plastic Resource Circulation System toward a Decarbonized Society" and selected 6 projects

(August 31 2021, Tokyo) The Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ), launched the "Demonstration Project for a Plastic Resource Circulation System toward a Decarbonized Society," and called for projects in the following two areas from April 16, 2021 to May 24, 2021. MOEJ received 11 applications and selected 6 projects as a result of the review by the Evaluation and Review Committee, composed of experts.

Demonstration projects and selected companies:

  1. For the transition from fossil-derived plastics to CO2-saving bioplastics (renewable resources) and for its societal implementation.

    Kantechs Co. Ltd., SANKYO CHEMICAL CO., LTD., Marubeni Corporation

  1. For a recycling process of plastics and the reduction of CO2 emissions.

    Shonan Trading Co., Ltd., HANDY TECHNO Co., Ltd., URS　HARIMA　INC.

HIRAO Yoshihide, Director, Office for Recycling Promotion

MOEJ welcomes the many applications received for the Demonstration Project for a Plastic Resource Circulation System toward a Decarbonized Society. These are important projects to lead plastic resource circulation and decarbonization. Going forward, MOEJ will continue to examine project applications and provide support to a wide variety of projects.

MOEJ has decided to gradually change the use of conventional plastics in order to accelerate plastic resource recycling that will contribute to the creation of a low-carbon society and a circular economy. To this end, MOEJ has been promoting the transition from plastics derived from fossil resources to bioplastics derived from renewable resources.

In addition, the following projects will be carried out with the aim of reducing energy-origin CO2 emissions in the entire plastic resource recycling system by upgrading recycling technologies and systems for difficult-to-recycle plastics.

  1. Demonstration project for the transition from fossil-derived plastics to CO2-saving bioplastics (renewable resources) and for its societal implementation:

Kantechs Co. Ltd.

Demonstration project for the mass production of new functional bioplastic core materials from lignin-based unused plant resources as a substitute for petrochemicals

SANKYO CHEMICAL CO., LTD.

Development and demonstration project of multilayer barrier film made of biomass materials

Marubeni Corporation

Consideration of various utilizations of upcycled dishes called "edish," and demonstration of their molding and composting technology

2) Demonstration project for a recycling process of plastics and the reduction of CO2 emissions:

Shonan Trading Co., Ltd.,

Demonstration project for a chemical recycling system for difficult-to-recycle plastic composite materials (such as scrap materials from factories)

HANDY TECHNO Co., Ltd.,

Demonstration projects for material recycling technology of difficult-to-recycle plastics

URS　HARIMA　INC.

Demonstration project to recycle difficult-to-recycle PET trays

For Japanese