Press Release

February 01, 2022
  • Waste & Recycling

MOEJ selected 3 projects for the "FY2021 Demonstration Project for a Plastic Resource Circulation System toward a Decarbonized Society" program

The Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ), has called for the fourth, fifth, and sixth applications for the "FY2021 Demonstration Project for a Plastic Resource Circulation System toward a Decarbonized Society" (subsidy project) to promote resource recycling of plastics and to reduce energy-derived CO2 emissions, by (1) replacing fossil-based plastics with renewable resources and (2) recycling composite plastics that are difficult to recycle. The fourth call for applications was held from September 6, 2021 to October 4, 2021, the fifth call from October 11, 2021 to November 8, 2021, and the sixth call from November 15, 2021 to December 13, 2021.

The applications received under this program were examined through a preliminary review of application documents and a review by the Evaluation and Review Committee composed of experts, and 3 projects were selected.

1. Outline of the "FY2021 Demonstration Project for a Plastic Resource Circulation System toward a Decarbonized Society" program

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

In addition, MOEJ carries out the following projects with the aim of reducing energy-derived CO2 emissions in the entire plastic resource recycling system by upgrading recycling technologies and systems for difficult-to-recycle plastic materials.

(i) Demonstration projects for the transition to CO2-saving bioplastics (renewable resources) that replace fossil-derived plastics and for their societal implementation

(ii) Demonstration projects for a recycling process of plastics and the reduction of CO2 emissions

2. Selection results

In the fourth round of selection under this demonstration project program (subsidy project), MOEJ received 2 applications, and as a result of a preliminary review of application documents and a review by the Evaluation and Review Committee composed of experts, selected 1 project as shown below (1 replacement project).

In the fifth round of selection, MOEJ received 3 applications, and as a result of a preliminary review of application documents and a review by the Evaluation and Review Committee composed of experts, selected 1 project as shown below (1 recycling project).

In the sixth round of selection, MOEJ received 1 application, and as a result of a preliminary review of application documents and a review by the Evaluation and Review Committee composed of experts, selected 1 project as shown below (1 recycling project).

Fourth round of selection

  1. Demonstration project for the transition to CO2-saving bioplastics (renewable resources) that replace fossil-derived plastics and for their societal implementation

Business operator

Project title

Project outline

Maruman Co., Ltd.

Demonstration project for development of plastic-free packaging materials using biomass resources

In order to replace PS- and PET-based plastic packaging materials, demonstration is conducted for adaptation of mass production technologies and plastic molding technologies for alternative products made solely of biomass-derived hydrophobic thermoplastic starch.

Fifth round of selection

(ii) Demonstration project for a recycling process of plastics and the reduction of CO2 emissions

Business operator

Project title

Project outline

GMS Co., Ltd.

Demonstration project for CO2 reduction through development of curing sheets by recycling used waste carpet tiles and creation of a process for reusing the tiles

Demonstration is conducted for developing curing sheets capable of reusing used carpet tiles (made from PVC) through material recycling, at a practical level (thickness, durability, ease of installation, transportability, etc.), and for creating a system for repeatedly using those recycled curing sheets at work-sites.

Sixth round of selection

(ii) Demonstration project for a recycling process of plastics and the reduction of CO2 emissions

Business operator

Project title

Project outline

Kurita Water Industries Ltd.

Demonstration project for the recycling process of plastics derived from used paper diapers

In order to change the current situation where limited efforts are being made to recycle the plastics contained in paper diapers and to promote such recycling efforts also in municipalities with relatively low CO2 emissions, demonstration is conducted for a scheme capable of efficiently sorting and collecting plastics by a simple mechanism, thereby enabling material recycling and CO2 emissions reduction.

For Japanese