Suntory Holdings Limited
Suntory Holdings Limited
's cases
The “Mata Aeru (Let’s meet again) Bottle Project” to Promote Horizontal Recycling of PET Bottles
Suntory Holdings Limited
In 2011, Suntory Group became the first in the Japanese soft drink industry to establish a bottle-to-bottle mechanical recycling system*1 for PET bottles (produce), and the following year, in 2012, to introduce PET bottles made of 100% recycled materials (implement). Since then, we have promoted technological innovation over the years,
Development of Flake to Preform (F-to-P) Direct Recycling Technology for PET Bottles
Suntory Holdings Limited Kyoei Industry
Suntory Holdings, which owns the beverage manufacturer Suntory Beverage & Foodl, and Kyoei Industry, a recycled materials manufacturer involved in the recycling, processing and sale of synthetic resins, have been advancing activities to reduce the environmental impact of PET bottle production,
Development and Practical Implementation of Used Plastic Recycling Technology by R Plus Japan, a Cross-Industry Joint Venture Company
R Plus Japan Suntory Holdings Limited
In accordance with the Suntory Group's Plastic Policy, Suntory MONOZUKURI Expert has been working with Anellotech, a US biochemical venture company, on the joint development of PET bottles made from 100% plant-derived materials.
Returnable beer bottle collection project
Brewers Association of Japan ASAHI BREWERIES, LTD. Kirin Brewery Company, Limited Sapporo Breweries Limited Suntory Beer Ltd. ORION BREWERIES, LTD.
The five member companies of the Brewers Association of Japan (Asahi Breweries, Ltd., Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd., Sapporo Breweries Ltd., Suntory Beer Ltd., and Orion Breweries, Ltd.) mainly use returnable beer bottles for their bottled beer products sold in Japan.
Basic values and policies for initiatives towards circular economy
As a multifaceted beverage and liquor company supported by the blessings of nature such as water and agricultural products, Suntory Group's mission is “To Create Harmony with People and Nature.” With the aim of contributing to the creation of a sustainable society where nourishing and enriching people’s lives and conserving the natural environment go hand in hand, and where people and nature have a positive impact on each other, we established our Sustainability Vision in 2019. We have selected seven themes for the Group to focus on, including water, CO2, and containers and packaging. With regard to containers and packaging, as a company that uses a large amount of plastic, we see the issue of environmental pollution caused by the inappropriate handling of used plastic as an urgent issue that we should take the lead in addressing. To this end, we formulated Suntory Group Plastic Policy in 2019 and aim to realize a recycling-oriented society based on four pillars: 1) Recycle ＆ Renewable, 2) Reduce ＆ Replacement, 3) Innovation, and 4) New Behavior.
Market opportunities and our strengths in circular business
There is a growing trend for consumers to use not only cost and quality, but also social and environmental considerations as selection criteria when purchasing products. In 2012, we became the first company in Japan's soft drink industry to introduce PET bottles made from 100% recycled materials. In 2018, Suntory led the way in horizontal recycling of PET bottles by developing the world's first Flake to Preform (F-to-P) direct recycling technology that reduces CO2 emissions more than conventional methods. We are also stepping up our efforts to recycle PET bottles by working with a number of stakeholders, including local governments and educational institutions.
Setting indices/targets
As a company that uses a large number of PET bottles in our products, we have set a goal of switching 100% of the materials used in all of our PET bottles globally to recycled or plant-based materials by 2030, with the aim of achieving zero use of virgin petroleum-based materials.
Implementation system
The Corporate Sustainability Department under the Corporate Sustainability Division formulates policies for the promotion of sustainability for the entire Group, and manages the progress. In particular, we consider PET bottles to be a management issue for the entire Group, and in 2018 we launched the Plastics Task Force, which transcends operating companies and divisions, to advance efforts in this area.