Synthesizing Methanol from Carbon Dioxide Efficiently to Promote Carbon Circulation

SUMITOMO CHEMICAL Co., Ltd. Shimane University

・Shimane University develops basic research into catalysts and reaction processes to increase reaction yield in the methanol synthesis using carbon dioxide as a raw material.

Collaboration using the world's first new dissolution and separation recycling technology for the complete recycling of polystyrene.

FP Corporation DIC Corporation

In November 2020, DIC and FPCO announced plans to collaborate in the practical implementation of a closed-loop recycling system for polystyrene that maximizes the technologies, as well as the collection and recycling systems, of both companies. In this initiative, colored foamed trays will be recycled into new trays just like conventional white trays using a new dissolution and separation recycling technology, enabling a "tray-to-tray" recycling. Additionally, this effort aims to realize the closed-loop recycling that uses chemical recycling technology to recycle polystyrene to styrene monomer, which is the raw material for polystyrene.

Low-foamed PS containers created by Low-foamed PS sheet and New molding technology.

FP Corporation Sekisui Kasei Co., Ltd.

In response to our customers' needs to further reduce the use of plastic in the market, FPCO has been conducting research on product weight reduction utilizing PSP (polystyrene paper) foaming technology in collaboration with SEKISUI KASEI CO., LTD(SEKISUI KASEI).

Circulation platform “De, owaresenai Project”

DENTSU INC. DENTSU PROMOTION PLUS INC. Lawson, Inc. Meiji Co., Ltd. Nakadai Holdings, Inc.

The aim of the project is to confirm and identify issues related to changes in student awareness and behaviour in collection and recycling, as well as the effects of sales promotions, by utilising the circular platform developed by the Dentsu Group for the social implementation of the circular economy.

Regarding the Use of Recycled Plastic

TOTO. LTD

As part of our initiative to promote the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) in our products, we are actively utilizing recycled plastic. In Japan, we use over 100 tons of recycled plastic each month. The main application is in the tank part of toilets, where over 80% is comprised of recycled plastic. In addition, we are increasing the adoption of recycled plastic in other components such as washlets, system baths, and kitchens.

closed recycling system of label backing release liner" Resource Recycling Project"

Resource Recycling Project NEION Film Coatings Corp． TOYOBO CO., LTD. Shionogi Pharma Co., Ltd.

label backing release liner typically uses composite materials of paper and 　 resin, which　are generally difficult to recycle. As a result, they become a large amount of industrial waste and are incinerated. In this project, we replace these label backing release liner with release liner for recycling made from PET-based synthetic paper. After use, the release paper is collected as valuable materials and subjected to material recycling. By using the recycled material again as a raw material for release liner for recycling, we achieve Film-to-Film recycling. This will enable the social implementation of closed recycling system of label backing release liner.

Educative activities to promote closed-loop recycling of PET bottles in collaboration with companies and an industry association

Japan Soft Drink Association Japan Airport Terminal Co.,Ltd. Tokyo International Air Terminal Corporation

The collection of PET bottles can be broadly categorized into 'Households related route collection', where they are discharged from homes, and 'Business related route collection', where they are collected from offices, factories and next to vending machines. PET bottles collected from households are easily recycled by sorting them into three parts segregation recycling (caps, labels and bottles), while bottles collected by 'Business related route' are often contaminated with foreign particles and not sorted into three parts segregation.

Proof of Concept Promoting Reuse in Local Communities With Mercari, Yakult Sanyo, Akitakata City, and Miyoshi City

Mercari, Inc. Yakult Sanyo Inc. Akitakada City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture

This is a collaborative project between Mercari, Inc., Yakult Sanyo Corporation, and Akitakata City and Miyoshi City of Hiroshima Prefecture. Together, we started a proof of concept where we collect usable items that people no longer need from Akitakata City and Miyoshi City and sell them on Mercari’s e-commerce platform Mercari Shops. So far, Mercari has partnered up with a total of 38 local governments across Japan (as of July 8, 2024) to sell their unwanted items on Mercari Shops.

Collaboration for Obsoleted Cosmetics into Building Materials

Tokyo Gas Real Estate Co., Ltd. NIHON L'ORÉAL K.K. Tokyo Gas Co.,Ltd.

Who's Involved & Their Roles: L'Oréal Japan will supply obsolete cosmetics. Tokyo Gas Real Estate will incorporate these materials into their building projects.

" Paper Cup to Paper Cup" - Recycling of beverage paper cups

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. Japan　Airlines Co.,Ltd. TOKAN　KOGYO　CO.,LTD.

This is the first project in Japan to recycle used beverage paper cups back into beverage paper cups. In order to reduce waste and increase recycling of paper resources, three companies in the supply chain collaborated to endeavor the horizontal recycling from paper cups to paper cups.

PS Recycle Technology

Sulzer Japan Limited

For pyrolysis of polystyrene, which Sulzer perform with its technology partner VTT, combining the strength of Finland’s strongest research organization with Sulzer’s existing SuRe™ styrene technology. Testing different polystyrene wastes including contaminations of polyethylene and polypropylene has been shown to achieve a 64% yield for styrene monomer. The quality of the monomer is suited to the production of polystyrene in all qualities, including for food packaging applications.

Bio Fuel Technology License

Sulzer Japan Limited

Under the cooperation with BASF, our joint development target is to improve the existing MaxFlux and BioFlux technologies for plastic recycling and biofuels with leading catalyst and adsorbent technology in terms of yields and energy consumption, thereby lowering the carbon footprint of the technology and improving CAPEX and OPEX requirements.