May 11, 2025 – In the global pursuit of solutions to the plastic waste recycling conundrum, Japanese companies are taking innovative strides. Recently, nine companies from diverse sectors in Japan have joined forces in a highly forward – looking cross – industry cooperation project. This initiative is specifically targeted at the challenges in PET resource recycling, aiming to convert PET beverage bottles and non – food – use PET into recycled beverage bottles through chemical recycling (CR) technology. This attempt, the first of its kind in Japan to recycle non – food – contact – grade PET into beverage bottles, holds the promise of opening up a new path for the efficient circular utilization of PET resources.
The companies participating in this project form a powerful lineup, each bringing its own strengths. Kirin Holdings Company, Limited takes the lead in this project. With a long – standing commitment to sustainable development and resource recycling, it has rich experience and an enterprising spirit, guiding the project’s progress. JEPLAN Co., Ltd. specializes in the research, development, and practical application of PET recycling technology and is a mainstay of technological innovation in the industry. TDK Corporation and Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., as leading players in the manufacturing of electronic materials and components, will contribute their advanced technologies and innovative ideas from the electronics field, injecting technological vitality into the project. Kao Corporation and Fancl Corporation, which have made significant achievements in the manufacturing of daily chemical products, health foods, and cosmetics respectively, can provide professional chemical technical support and extensive industry practical experience. Kirin Beverage Company and Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd., as leading enterprises in the beverage production industry, not only provide direct application scenarios for the project’s results but also, based on market demand feedback, help make the project results more market – relevant. PET Refining Technology Co., Ltd., with its profound accumulation in PET recycling technology, serves as the key provider of core technologies for the project.
According to AsiaMB, the project sources its raw materials widely and innovatively. In addition to traditional used PET beverage bottles, non – food – contact PET materials are also included. Industrial PET film waste generated during the production of electronic components (provided by TDK and Murata), used cosmetic bottles collected from stores (from Kao and Fancl), and obsolete vending machine product samples from Kirin Beverage will all become valuable raw materials for chemical recycling. PET Refining Technology Co., Ltd. will carry out chemical recycling on these raw materials. The participating companies will then strictly inspect and evaluate the quality of the resulting CR resin and consider using it in the production of beverage bottles and cosmetic bottles. Currently, the project has entered the implementation phase, and some companies have taken the lead in applying the results. Kirin Beverage started using CR technology for the production of some products in April; Kao followed suit in May, using CR – recycled PET bottles for the production of some cosmetics. Asahi Soft Drinks also plans to start using this resin from October, and Fancl is also actively considering its application possibilities.
This cross – industry cooperation brings together the advantages of all parties and breaks down industry barriers. From expanding the source of raw materials at the supply end, to focusing on technology at the R & D end, and then to actively applying in practice at the market end, it provides a systematic solution to the problem of insufficient PET resource recycling throughout the process. As the project progresses, significant results are expected in the short term. This will not only offer a replicable model for plastic resource recycling in Japan but also contribute to the global sustainable development cause, inspiring more similar cooperation projects to be launched and jointly promoting the recycling of global resources to a new level.