In December 2020, ITOCHU Corporation and Toyo Ink SC Holdings Corporation (Toyo Ink Group) agreed to collaborate on the development of material recycling technology for multi-layer film packaging. Leveraging their respective technologies and networks, the two companies aim to realize high-quality material recycling.

Countermeasures against the issue of single-use plastics are urgently needed both domestically and internationally.

In Japan, approximately 16% of plastic waste is disposed of without proper treatment, such as simple incineration or landfill. Furthermore, about 56% currently relies on incineration-based measures, known as 'thermal recycling' or 'energy recovery'.

In particular, film packaging, referred to as 'flexible packaging,' used for food products and refill pouches for sanitary goods like detergents, has a complex structure.

To ensure the required performance for different applications, these materials employ a multi-layer structure that incorporates various materials such as polyolefins and polyesters, along with printing inks and adhesives. This complexity makes separation difficult.

In 2019, Toyo Ink SC Holdings, a chemical manufacturer, developed a technology to separate and remove inks and adhesives that constitute multi-layer films and packaging. Collaboration with ITOCHU Corporation began in 2020.

The goal is to achieve the world's first*1 practical application of high-quality material recycling by 2022.

A pilot demonstration plant is scheduled for construction within 2021, with verification through assessments such as LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and cost simulations. The aim is to launch post-industrial recycling*2 operations in 2022.

Additionally, commercial plant operations for both post-industrial and post-consumer recycling*3 are planned to commence around 2025.

ITOCHU Corporation has acquired exclusive marketing rights in Japan and preferential negotiation rights in Asia and Europe for key product materials related to this technology. Concurrently, by establishing a material recycling system utilizing this technology and promoting the design of environmentally friendly, recyclable packaging, ITOCHU plans to offer a wide range of environmental solutions to food and daily necessities manufacturers, retailers, and brand owners.

Through this initiative, both companies aim to transform multi-layer film packaging, which is currently difficult to reuse, into recyclable materials, targeting a domestic and international material recycling rate of over 40%*4.

*1 According to Toyo Ink's research. This is the world's first technology to simultaneously separate and recycle inks, adhesives, etc., that constitute multi-layer film materials and packaging.

*2 Refers to the recycling of waste materials generated during the product manufacturing process.

*3 Refers to waste collected from consumers after they have used a product.

*4 For example, Japan's current material recycling rate is approximately 27%. The aim is to increase this ratio by about 1.5 times.

Reprinted from:Equally Beautiful