BLUE Plastics Development of a blockchain-based digital platform for traceability of recycled plastics.

Members and their roles

The feature of this initiative is that key members of the recycling chain cooperate in the development.

-Asahi Kasei is responsible for the project promotion.

-IBM Japan supports development of the digital platform.

-Lion cooperates in development as a brand owner.

-Mebius Packaging cooperates in development as a plastics molder.

-Toyama Kankyou Seibi cooperates in development as a recycling company.

Commencing time (plan)

We plan to launch a demonstration trial using a prototype platform by the end of March 2022.

Technology and business model

This project, named “BLUE Plastics” (Blockchain Loop to Unlock the value of the circular Economy), aims to build a digital platform for recycled plastics using IBM's blockchain technology. The features of the platform are below:

(1) Recycling certificate

Blockchain technology is an "irreversible" database technology that continuously records all history. Since data cannot be tampered with, traceability is ensured. Consumers can check the recycling percentage certified by this technology by scanning a QR code on the products.

(2) Visualization of the recycling chain

By scanning the QR code, consumers can confirm the companies involved in the manufacturing of the recycled products. It provides consumers with a sense of security.

(3) Transformation of consumer recycling behavior

The BLUE Plastics app records the consumer’s contribution of recycling plastics and consumers get points in the form of the "BLUE Leaf. This encourages consumers to bring waste plastic to collection boxes.

Milestone

We are planning a demonstration trial using a prototype platform by the end of March 2022.

We will expand the types and uses of resins and open the platform to be used by anyone in the plastics industry. We will consider expansion not only in Japan but also in other Asian countries.