Cases presented at J4CE public-private
dialogues in FY2023

March 2024

List of 20 cases in the document
Theme

Collaborative initiatives onplastic between upstream
and downstream industries

Pitches at the businessnetworking event

resenter
City of Sendai

Initiatives for plastic resource recycling through public-private
partnerships

Daiei Kankyo Co., Ltd.

Accreditation for the “Recycling Business Plan” based on the newplastic recycling law

Kao Corporation

RecyCreation: Horizontal recycling of refill packs and collaboration
with other companies

Chaintope Inc.

Secure traceability (DPP-compliant)

JEMS Inc.

Polyester fishing net recycling traceability

Refinverse Inc.

Recycling business for carpet tiles, fishing nets and airbags

TBM Co., Ltd.

Plastic and paper alternative material “ LIMEX ” andplastic resource recycling business

Taisei Corporation

Milk-run transportation system for construction waste recover

NEION Film Coatings Corp．

Film Coatings Corp.: Horizontal recycling of label backing paper

FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.

Reuse and recycling of MFPs and toner cartridges

Envipro Holdings Inc.

Manufacture of cushion mats reusing rubber scraps from Toyoda
Gosei

PwC Advisory LLC

M&A strategies to improve circularity

Elefantech Inc.

Mass production technology for printed circuit boards using metal
inkjet printing

WOTA Corp.

Small-scale decentralized water recycling system

BioPhenolics Inc.

Production of aromatic biochemicals from biomass

EII, Inc.

AI automatic vehicle dispatch system

Fermenstation Co., Ltd.

Production of raw materials for cosmetics andother products using unused biomass resources

AC Biode Corporation

Collaborative inititaives
using digital technology

Title

Event

10th

11th

Carbon capture from the air filters to make glass raw material

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Establishment of large-scale collection routes for waste plastic
derived from small household appliances

Dentsu Inc.

Circulation platform “De, owaresenai Project”(So we don’t let things end here project)

12th

1

City of Sendai: Initiatives for plastic resource recycling
through public-private partnerships
 Promoting recycling of product plastic and plastic containers and packaging from households in accordancewith Plastic Resources Recycling Act.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative•

On 30 September 2022, Sendai city became the first in the country toobtain ministerial approval for a recycling plan (*1) under the Plastic
Resources Recycling Promotion Act.

•

Scheme’s success requires co-operation of recycling implementers(e.g. in considering sorting methods) with regard to disposal of
miscellaneous 'plastic waste’, with its many challenges for recycling.

•

Initiatives started in April 2023. In developing this plan, verification oftreatment methods (e.g. sorting, recycling, etc.) were carried out incooperation with recycling operators.

•

System reduces costs by integrating and streamlining processes
from sorting to recycling.

•

The initiative targets plastics discharged from households andintegrates the processes from sorting to recycling at J&T Recycling
Corporation's facilities in the city.

•

In addition, city decides on method of recycling, enabling creativeand inventive processes under local conditions, such as recycling
into familiar products, together with the recycling implementer.

Collaborators

J&T Recycling Corporation(recycling implementer)

Target products/
materials

Product plastic and plastic containers and packaging
from households(*Limited to 100% plastic material)

Initiative

Material recycling of product plastics and plastic
containers and packaging.
Production of PE/PP mixed fluff and PE/PP mixed
reduced volume products.

* 1 Municipalities prepare recycling plans independently or jointly based on
Article 33 with ministerial authorization, enabling integration andrationalisation of intermediate treatment processes such as sorting andcompaction, which were previously carried out separately by municipalities
and recycling implementers under the Containers and Packaging Recycling
Law.
Website:https://www.city.sendai.jp/

Methods of discharging product plastics and plastic containers
and packaging.
Containers andPackaging Recycling Law

Plastic Resource
Circulation Act

Plastic packaging containers

RecycleProduct plastic

IncinerateasHouseholdwaste

Bulk collection& recycling

Daiei Kankyo: Accreditation for the “Recycling BusinessPlan” based on the new plastic recycling law
 Based on the Plastic Resource Circulation Act, streamlining of collection and recycling of waste plastics
discharged by multiple businesses.
Overview of initiative• In April 2023 , Daiei Kankyo Group's Mie Chuo
Kaihatsu and DINS Kansai each obtained accreditation
for the Recycling Business Plan* .
•Based on this plan, waste plastics are collected andrecycled from multiple waste generators.

•

Pelletized by optical sorting → crushing → washing.
They are also recycled into recycled pallets at theGroup company, Plafactory.
Group companies

Mie Chuo Kaihatsu

Target products/
materials

Food packaging
materials
Factory scraps

Waste plastic
bottleMaterial recycling(pelletization)

Material recycling( PET bottle
compressedpackaging )Initiative

Palletmanufacturing, etc.

Key points of initiative•

Mie Chuo Kaihatsu is the first company in Japan toobtain accreditation for the Recycling Business Plan.

•

Waste plastic, previously subject to incineration or
thermal recycling treatment, is converted into pellets
by optical sorting, crushing and washing, thereby
contributing to GHG reduction in waste disposal.
Plastic recycle facility<process flow>
Raw materials

Sort, clean etc.

Pelletize

Products

DINS Kansai

Beverage PET
bottlemanufacturing

Company profile: Established in 1979. The company operates waste-related businesssuch as waste management and recycling and soild remediation, as wellas valuable resource recycling business.
Homepage: https://www.dinsgr.co.jp/

Manufacture at Pla factory

Compliance with the Plastic Resource Circulation Act
Apr. 2023

Mie Chuo Kaihatsu obtained certification for the ‘Recycling Business Plan (Article 48, Paragraph 1, Item 2)' for the first timein JapanOutsource
Outsource
Scope of
Exception to
the Waste
Management
and Public
Cleansing Act

Multiple Waste
Generators

Collection and Transportation BusinessCollection and transportation

Resource
Recycling

Recycling Business
Disposal (Recycling)
Certification ceremony (Ministry of the Environment)* Based on Article 48 of the Plastic Resource Circulation Act , (1) a waste generatoror (2) a recycling business entrusted by multiple waste generators will create aplan and, upon approval by the competent minister, will be able to dispose ofwaste. A system that eliminates the need for legal business licenses.

Kao: RecyCreation- Horizontal recycling of refill packs andcollaboration with other companies
 Promotion of film container collection schemes and development of recycling technologies that crossindustry boundaries, for social integration of film container recycling.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative• Promoting initiatives such as containers and packaging
weight, more efforts for recycling.
• From September 2020, collaboration with Lion
Corporation (industry competitor) for film container
recycling (refill packs).
• From October 2020, in-store collection at retailer ItoYokado (Hikifune store); from November 2021, in-store
collection and delivery return services at 30 Wellsia
Pharmacy locations in Tokyo and Saitama (including the•Streamline separation, collection and transport topromoting recycling through separate collection atretail outlets such as supermarkets and drugstores,
and through collection and transport using delivery
return services.

•

Development of recycling technology also enabledcommercialisation of refill packs partly made fromrecycled material; as of May 2023, approximately
10% recycled material.

head office).

• From June 2021, a pilot plant for film container
recycling introduced at Kao's Wakayama ResearchInstitute, and recycled refill packs commercialised in
May 2023.
Collaborators
Target products/
materials
Initiative

Industry competitor: Lion
Retail: Ito-Yokado, Wellcia Pharmacy.
Distribution: Hamakyorex.

Structure of recycled refill packs(Image)Surface-side
Nylon
Ink
Adhesiveused refill packmaterial recycling
Production of film containers and blocks
using recycled materials.

Company profile: Consumer goods chemical manufacturer founded in 1887.
Website: https://www.kao.com/jp/

Adhesive

Usedrefill packs

Collection

Crush &
wash

Pelletize

Recycled
refill packs

Polyethylene
Recycled resin
Polyethylene
Contents side

The process of creating recycled refill packs (left) and structure of recycled refill packs (image) (right)

Chaintope: Secure traceability (DPP-compliant) Creating new value through visualisation and proof of CO2 reductions using original blockchain, Tapyrus.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative•

Traceability and visualisation of electricity generation
and renewable energy use by public facilities at the
Saga City Cleaning Plant and other facilities, using
blockchain (from 2021).

••

Visualisation of electricity consumers at Kyushu
Institute of Technology (from December 2022).
Demonstration projects to encourage electricitysaving behaviour by facility users (staff, students).

Use of unique blockchain technology to circulate
results of power generation and renewable energy
use while keeping information on productcomponents and other information confidential.
Used as proof of waste-derived power generation forresource recycling.

•

Demonstrates individual behaviour (electricity
saving) to reduce environmental impacts, leading tobehavioural change.

Collaborators

Municipalities, universities, private sector(Saga City, Saga Prefecture; Kyushu Instituteof Technology; Iizuka City, Fukuoka
Prefecture; Iwatani)

Target products/
materials—

Initiative

Visualisation and certification of wastederived power generation performance,
renewable energy use performance andbehavioural changes related to energy
saving and other actions to reduce
environmental impact using digitaltechnology

Company profile: Established in 2016. Blockchain technology venture.
Website: https://www.chaintope.com/

Image of visualisation of local production andconsumption of renewable energy in the region.
Visualisation5

On-campus electric mobility③Proof of local production
and consumption ofrenewable energy①Record ofrenewableenergy②Record ofenergyconsumption

Renewable energy generation data
produced in the region or on campus

Blockchain system(proof of generation/consumption achievements)

Renewable energy
supply data on thecampusJEMS: Polyester fishing net recycling traceability
 Development and operation of Circular Navi, a value certification service for resource recycling, whichenables traceability and visualisation in resource recycling for private sector companies.
Outline of initiatives

Key points of the initiative•

A digital platform that can guarantee the traceabilityof products, materials, etc. within the supply chain.

••

A number of demonstration projects on traceabilityof resource recycling have been carried out withprivate companies using this platform.

Tracing and disclosing information on resource
recycling at each stage from fishing nets to the
manufacture of recycled products can draw theattention of user companies and consumers to theenvironmental benefits.

•

Development of recycled polyester resin products
derived from fishing nets in collaboration with Teijin
Limited and 26 other Team RE:ism companies, anddisclosure of traceability data via Circular Navi.

•

Going forward, the company plans to promotebenefits for supply chain participants (e.g.
differentiation from other companies‘ products by
sharing information on recycled material
components) by increasing the amount of
information handled and the stakeholders to whom
information is disclosed.

Collaborators

Chemical manufacturers, vein industry
companies, automobile manufacturers,
house manufacturers, generalcontractors, car manufacturers,
municipalities, etc.

Target products/
materials

Fishing nets, plastic materials, etc.

Initiative

Traceability and environmental value
through digital platforms

Company profile: established in 1994. IT company involved in the construction ofsales management core systems, mainly for the waste management
industry.
Website: https://www.j-ems.jp/

Fishing net
retrieval

Cleaning

Pellets

Moldedproducts

Store use

Refinverse: Recycling business for carpet tiles, fishingnets and airbags
 Developing diverse waste-based circular businesses, manufacturing various materials from waste.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative•

Integrated value chain from resource recovery tomaterial production.

•

Resource businesses for industrial waste disposal andprocurement and supplying raw materials for chemical
recycling, and material businesses recycling carpet tiles,
fishing nets and airbags.

•

Responding more flexibly forconverting waste into
resources and materials, development of solution
businesses using its own technology and know-how.

Collaborators
Target products/
materials
Initiative•

Proprietary technology enables high-quality, highly
productive recycled materials.

•

Consider new businesses by utilising technology,
knowledge and networks gained from resource
development and materialisation.

Horizontal recycling process for carpet tiles.
Raw materials

Airbags.

■Virgin resin■Recycled resin

Carpet tile
manufacturer

Carpet tileusers

REFINE POWDER (Recycled resin)

Business expansion through a local production for local consumption modelfor nylon.

Making new things using waste as a resource,
so-called “recycling”(manufacturing of carpet tiles, sound insulation
sheets, building and flooring materials,
automotive parts)

Company profile: Set up recycled plastic production business in 2003, manufacturing
recycled materials derived from waste plastics, and support for schemes
transforming waste into new value.
Website:https://r-inverse.com/

Collection
Recycling

Manufacturers of production and consumption
materials: textiles, building materials, ships,
automobile manufacturers, etc.
Used carpet tiles, used fishing nets

Manufacturing

Fishing
harbour

Fishing net
recoveryFishing net
recoveryMaterialization(In-house)

Expand production volume
Fishing net
recoveryFishing
harbour-Materialization(Partner companies )Design and sell machinery equipment for local resource
utilization
Issue business licenses

Refinverse
Material sales

Manufacturer

TBM : Plastic and paper alternative material “ LIMEX ” andplastic resource recycling business
Development of LIMEX, a limestone-based new material introduced at international conferences such as G20 and COP, with patents
registered domestically and overseas due to its unique technology originating from Japan, as well as resource recycling model through
LIMEX and plastic recovery and recycling.

Overview of initiative

Key points of initiative•

Developed LIMEX, a new material made mainly from calcium
carbonate (limestone). Deployed at over 10,000 companies andlocal governments as alternative to plastic and paper.

••

Resource recycling business for used LIMEX and plastics, promoting
closed loop collaboration with multiple companies and recycling
models with local governments.

Limestone, LIMEX’s main raw material, is abundant worldwide,with excellent supply security and low risk of pricefluctuations. As an alternative to plastic and paper, it reduces
GHG emissions and plastic, water, and forest resource use.

••

LIMEX utilizes carbon recycling technology that recovers CO2 fromexhaust gas and uses calcium carbonate, chemically synthesizedwith calcium from factory byproducts, as the main raw material.

As recycler of container packaging plastics and productplastics, formulation of plastic recycling plan with Yokosuka
City. Obtained certification from the Minister of theEnvironment and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Collaborators

Local governments, retailers, manufacturers

Target products/
Materials

LIMEX, plastic

Initiative

Material manufacturing, sales, and productdistribution (garbage bags, plastic bags, foodcontainers, packaging, labels, toys, stationery,
clear files, construction materials, materials,
sales promotions, printed materials, etc.) *Includes products made from recycledmaterials.

Company profile: Established in 2011 . Develops environmentally friendly materials,
manufacture and sell products, and businesses that promote resource
circulation .
Homepage: https://tb-m.com/

Recycling plant for LIMEX and plastics

Office,Commercial
facility,
Plant,
Warehouse,
Householdetc.

Delivery

Waste plastic

Selection

Yokosuka plant(established in Nov 2022)
Automatic selection
Annual throughput:40,000 tons,
one of the largest in Japan

Crushing &grinding

Cleaning

Recycledpellets

Pelletizing

Plastic molding
manufacturer

Qualitycheck

Taisei Corporation:
Milk-run transportation system for construction waste recovery


Development of efficient recovery and recycling system for building material scraps, traditionally disposed of in landfills by industrial waste
disposal companies, by using a wide-area certification system and standardizing transportation rules among multiple building material
manufacturers.

Overview of initiative••

Key points of initiative

Building material scraps generated at construction sites
are usually landfilled by industrial waste disposal
companies. A wide-area certification system enables
recycling into raw materials for building materials.
Building material scraps are collected from construction
sites and transported to building material manufacturing
plants.

Collaborators

Nippon Express
Various building material
manufacturers

Target products/
materials

Building material scraps

Initiative

Collection, recycling(Recycled materials used as building
materials)•

Promoting circulation of building material resources byrecycling building material scraps.

•

Comprehensive logistics management by a third party.
Standard rules for transporting offcuts among building
material manufacturers.

•Compared to the usual process of transporting to anintermediate treatment plant, CO2 emissions anddisposal costs associated with vehicle transport can be
reduced.

Overview of Milk-Run transportation system
Construction sites

Secondary transport
instructions

Site A

Site B

Site D
Separate building scraps

Gypsum board factory

ConfirmemissionsCollection
instructions

Glass wool factory

Site C

Company profile: Founded in 1873. Planning, surveying, design, supervision,
construction, engineering, management, and consulting related toarchitectural work, civil engineering work, equipment installation work,and other general construction work.
Homepage: https://www.taisei.co.jp/

Receiving factory (manufacturers)

Nippon Express

Transshipment depot(Logistics Center)

Round-trip collection
Nippon Express(Nippon Express)

Rock wool sound absorbing board

Secondary transport(Specified by each manufacturer)

Stabilize the operation and expanse resource circulation
through companies’ participation

Floorboard shredding plant
Scrap wood is recycled asbuilding materials

NEION Film Coatings Corp.:
Horizontal recycling of label backing paper
Further information.

 Circular recycling scheme for label backing paper through collaboration between
arterial and venous industries.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative••

Establishment of venous industry function in addition to
traditional arterial industry, realising a circular recycling
scheme.

•Chartered freight countrywide. Improved transport efficiency
reduces CO2 emissions and assists in labour shortage.

•

Horizontal recycling of raw materials leads to production of
dedicated recycled backing paper, with lower cost andresource conservation via TOYOBO unique technology••

Release paper, essential backing for the manufacture and useof labels, is not recycled and is disposed of or incinerated.
Annual waste volume is 1.39 billion m2 in manufacturingindustry in Japan.
By replacing the release paper with a special recycled backing
paper designed from recyclable materials, used backing paper
is recovered from label user as valuable material (resource).
Horizontal recycling scheme for label backing paper via
material recycling of recovered materials and reuse as raw
material for dedicated recycled backing.

Collaborators

•
•
•
•
•

TOYOBO Co. Ltd.
Shionogi Pharma
Toppan Infomedia
Mitsui Bussan Chemicals
Yamato Box Charter

Target products/
materials

label backing paper

Initiative

Collection and recycling (recycled material
for label backing paper).

Circular recycling scheme for label mounts.

Printing company

Users
Final products

Label

Printing &die-cutting

Collection
box

Company profile: Founded in 1957. Businesses related to 'adhesive films',
including development, production and sales.
Website:https://www.neion.co.jp/

Used cardboard
for recycling

Final sorting &recycleRawmaterials

Label original fabricAdhesive film
manufacturing

CardboardforrecyclingFUJIFILM Business Innovation:
Reuse and recycling of MFPs and toner cartridges
 The company is promoting a resource recycling initiative under company-wide recycling policy aiming for virtually 'zero
waste'. Through the reuse and recycling of parts and containers such as toner cartridges for multifunction devices, theamount of new resource input is being reduced.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative

•

•

•

Under company-wide recycling policy aiming for virtually'zero waste' and promoting recycling of resources,
establishment of closed-loop system, and recycling-oriented
production system for entire product lifecycle from planning,development and manufacturing stages to disposal.

 Use of reused parts reduces CO2 emissions over entire
product lifecycle (raw material procurement,
manufacturing, transport, use and disposal) by up to
56% compared to manufacturing new machines.

Japan's industry-first zero landfill (recycling rate of 99.5% ormore) in 2000, on-going.
(FY2022 results, 99.97% recycling rate).

Closed-loop system•
Disassemble& cleanat the factory

Used bycustomers

Collect

Component sorting

Another loop

Inspection

Completion &delivery

RecycleDesignRepairReturn to
raw materials

Quality inspection &assurance
Materialization and molding
Production line

Recycled MFPs are manufactured from used MFPs
collected from customers. Use of reused parts reduces
input of new resources by up to 84% by weightcompared to newly manufactured machines.

Since the 1990s, on-going efforts to reuse tonercartridges, toner recovery bottles and other parts andcontainers, reducing cumulative input of new resourcesby 35K tonnes.
Collaborators

Recycling partner companies

Target products/
materials

MFPs, toner cartridges and toner collection
bottles

Initiative

Recovery, reuse, recycling and manufactureof remanufactured machines.
(Reused and recycled materials used for
MFPs, toner cartridges and toner collection
bottles)Company profile: Founded in 1962, the company was renamed FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corporation from FUJI XEROX Corporation in 2021.
Among the businesses developed by the FUJIFILM Group are business innovation and graphic communications.
Website:https://www.fujifilm.com/fb/

Envipro Holdings: Manufacture of cushion mats reusing
rubber scraps from Toyoda Gosei
 Scrap rubber (difficult to recycle with stagnant recycling rate) recycled into cushion mats.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative••

Some rubber waste is reused through heat recovery andthen recycled, but rubber waste unsuitable for theseuses is incinerated or landfilled, requiring resource
recycling initiatives to reduce rubber waste and improverecycling rate.

•

As rubber is difficult to sort and recover due to the wide
variety of formulations and the limited number of recyclable
rubber types, incineration (heat recovery) and landfill are
the current treatment and disposal methods.

•

Scrap materials generated in the production process of
Toyoda Gosei's automotive rubber parts (e.g. weather
strips) are reused as cushion mats, thereby reducing
waste and recycling resources.

Designed and sold by Toyoda Gosei, mats are manufactured
by Toyo Rubber Chip, an Envipro groupcompany, with scrap rubber from automobile parts which
was previously incinerated (with heat recovery).

•Mats are reprocessed into multi-purpose cushion mats, toreduce fatigue from standing work, and as shock absorbers
for golf course and gym equipment.

Collaborators••

Target products/
materials

Scrap rubber from automobile parts

Initiative

Recycling (production of cushion
mats by reusing rubber scraps).

Toyo Rubber Chip Co., Ltd.
Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.

Company profile: Established in 2010. Based on concept of 'Leada Circular Economy (CE)', the Envipro Group is developing businesses
such as recycling and supporting companies in changing their CE
business models, based on two approaches of CE supporting
manufacturing and CE supporting local communities.
Website:https://www.envipro.jp/

Cushion mats made from recycled rubber scraps,
examples of usage
Usage Image

12
Standing workin factories or shops

Shock absorption forequipment fallingat golf courses or sports gyms

PwC Advisory: M&A strategies to improve circularity
 Using external resources through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as a means of improving corporate
circularity.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative••

Identification of potential strategic areas to bestrengthened through matrix of 'CE areas x M&A
significance’.

•

To prioritize CE areas to be strengthened through
M&A, selection requires both 'resource efficiency
impact x time’, and evaluation from the perspectiveof profitability and GHG emissions.

Circular management requires bold transformation,and M&A is considered effective for companies toacquire unavailable resources to improve circularity
and create momentum for transformation.

•

Circular economy (CE) areas are identified and thesignificance of M&A to strengthen CE is examined.

•

Prioritize CE areas to be strengthened through M&A
and select the most suitable M&A scheme from fourtypes.

Four types of M&A scheme.

Collaborators

Private-sector corporations

Target product/
materials

General (business and management
strategies)

Initiative

Improving corporate circularity
through mergers and acquisitions

Majority-secured■ Acquire a majority stake and control management■ High alignment with the company's strategy, fully
controlling the resources and capabilities of thetarget company
e.g. New business expansion, licenses acquisition

Open innovation■ Alliance through investment in startups.
■ Establishing a CVC can be effective in speeding up
decision-making and avoiding conflicts with the core business.
e.g. joint development of bio-materials and establishment ofa CE fund.

JV■ Joint investment in a new company or carving out
proprietary technology for external capital infusion.
■ Building CE business by multiple companies providing
resources and capabilities to each othere.g. Establish a plastic recycling business and overseas
expansion by manufacturers, trading companies, andvenous industry

Consortium■ Collaboration in arterial & venous industry, or same industry■ Industry-government-academia collaboration■ Establish industry best practices
e.g. Closed-loop model, Local circular model

Company profile: Established in 1999. Provides management support and other services based on PwC’s purpose of 'building trust in society and solving critical issues'.
Website:https://www.pwc.com/jp/ja/about-us/member/deal-advisory.html

Elefantech: Mass production technology for printed circuitboards using metal inkjet printing Development of unique manufacturing method for printed circuit boards, significantly reducing environmental impact andimproving cost performance, to achieve world’s first* mass production.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative•

Conventional manufacturing methods for printed
circuit boards have significant environmental impact
due to large amounts of waste liquid and wastewater.

•

Unlike existing manufacturing methods, which
discard unnecessary parts, wiring is formed only
where necessary, reducing environmental impact.

•

Process developed to form circuits by nano-forming
metals into an ink state, printing them on a substrateby inkjet and then forming a further metallic layer byelectroless copper plating.

•

Reduced lead times and improved cost performancedue to simplified manufacturing process.

Collaborators—

Target products/
materials

Printed circuit board

Initiative

Saving resources

Company profile: Established in 2014, to develop printed electronics manufacturing
technology and providing manufacturing services.
Website: https://www.elephantech.co.jp/en/

Environmental improvements via Elephantech process.

1: Trial calculation on a single-sided flexible board (copper thickness 18 µm, copper
coverage 30%).
2: Trial calculation on a double-sided flexible substrate (25 µm polyimide film, 6.6µm copper thickness, 30% copper coverage, 0.1 µm gold thickness, 10% gold
coverage).
For different board designs, carbon footprint reductions are in the range of 7080%.
Production costs: comparison of assumed costs for large-scale mass production andsales*Company research.

WOTA: Small-scale decentralized water recycling system■ Develops small-scale decentralized water recycling systems to seek structural solutions to the world's
water problems.
Overview of initiative

Key points of initiative•

Developed “WOTA BOX”, portable water recycling systemand “WOSH”, water recycling hand-washing stand enablinguse of water in places without running water.

••

Small-scale decentralized water recycling system thatrecycles and reuses 98% of household domestic wastewater,
introduced in 2023 in depopulated municipalities in Ehime
Prefecture, and in high water cost, Toshima Village, Tokyo.
Also signed basic agreement to install in public housing in
one of the Caribbean’s most water-stressed island nation,
Antigua and Barbuda.

WOTA BOX and WOSH – provides private showers andhandwashing services after disasters. Helps create a clean,healthy environment (important for both physical andpsychological health) in areas with no running water.

•

Compared to large-scale, centralized systems, small-scaledecentralized water recycling systems reduces the need forconstruction for water supply, sewage, and treatment
facilities, realizing cost benefits especially in depopulatedareas. Three separate systems (drinking water, domestic
water, and toilet water) utilizes biological, membrane, andsterilization treatment to recycle water safely andefficiently.

Collaborators

Local governments (depopulated areas, islands,etc.), evacuation centers during disasters,companies (food stores and commercial
facilities for hand washing station users, etc.)

Target products/
materials

Water

Initiative

Realization of “small-scale decentralized water
recycling system”

Company profile: Established in 2014 . In order to solve various problems caused byuneven distribution, depletion, and pollution of water resources on theearth, developed small-scale decentralized water circulation system torecycle and reuse domestic wastewater with autonomous water
treatment control technology.
Corporate website: https://wota.co.jp/en/

WOTA BOX

WOSH

Diagram of a small-scale decentralized water
recycling system for residential use

BioPhenolics:
Production of aromatic biochemicals from biomass
 Development of technology for the production of aromatic biochemicals from non-edible biomass.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative•

Biochemical production (synthetic biology) faces
productivity and economic efficiency issues.

••

Requires system to develop integrated refining andmass production technologies, in addition to smart
cell (improved micro-organism) technology, for lowcost, mass supply by 2030, to replace petrochemicals.

Founded by researchers at Tsukuba University with
20 years of experience on aromatic metabolism in
microorganisms and use in society, and experts on
successful mass production at major chemicalcompanies and start-ups.

•

Use of biochemicals in long-life applications will also
reduce CO2 emissions through carbon capture bybiomass.

•

Going forward, production sites will expand to SouthEast Asia (e.g. Thailand and Vietnam).

Collaborators

Assumed customers are all chemical
users

Target products/
materials

Production of aromatic biochemicals
from non-edible biomass such as
cassava and waste molasses

Initiative

Recycling (recycled materials assumed
to be biomass plastic raw materials fordurable consumer goods, including carsand electronics)

Company profile: Venture business at University of Tsukuba for
production technology for biochemicals. Established in 2023.
Website:https://bio-phenolics.com/

BiotechBiotech Manufacturing
Manufacturing with
withSmart
SmartCells
Cells"Biological Chemicals = Bio-CCUS = Potential for Reducing CO2 in the Atmosphere"
Long-life application
CO2
CO2absorption
absorption

EV body

Waste
molasses

Cassava
Cassava

Biomass
Biomass(Renewable(Renewable Resource)
Resource)

Fermentation
Fermentation
production
production
using
using smart
smart cells
cells

BioBiochemicals
chemicals

Construction
Construction
materials
materials

PC

Smartphones

Functions as Bio-CCUS

16

EII: AI automatic vehicle dispatch system
 Automatic vehicle dispatch system replacing human dispatch planning in the freight distribution sector, usinglatest AI algorithms for optimal vehicle dispatch with various limitations and numerous collection points.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative•

Improvements to the efficiency of high-frequency smalllot goods transportation in society, addressing the “2024problem” and reducing CO2 emissions in the distributionsector.

••Dealing with challenges in transport industry such as
preparing dispatch lists, and specific-dependent,
analogue admin systems.

•

Development of simple and low-cost AI auto-dispatch
algorithm and SaaS-type AI auto-dispatch system as aservice for all pick-up and delivery companies.

Features of AI Automatic Dispatching System(SaaS）：• An affordable and user-friendly automatic
dispatching system.
•
Standardized route-based automatic dispatchingalgorithms.
•
Support for utilization facilitated by GPT(Generative Pre-trained Transformer).
•
Navigation feature equipped on drivers' mobile
devices.- Addressing the 2024 Issue (Rest BreakRules, Time Constraints).
•
Visualization of CO2 emissions.

•

Low cost and CO2 emissions reductions by improving
transport efficiency, more equitable driving time, easierfor new recruits (less dependent on specific individual).

Collaborators

All collection and delivery logistics
businesses are covered.
Examples: distribution centres, foodproduction, supermarket retail, apparel,
waste collection and transport.

Target products/
materials

Goods, waste, etc.

Initiative

Improved transport efficiency and reduced
burden of dispatch planning

Company profile: Founded in 2018 as research and development
start-up; plans, designs and develops system solutions tosolve on-site needs in the environmental and energy sectors
using advanced technologies such as AI/IoT, robotics andbig data.
Website: https://eii-net.co.jp/

Comparison of human and AI dispatch results
Vehicle type: 2-ton dump truck
Vehicles:25
Collection points:83
Offices: 11
AI driving time:118h
AI computation time: 30 sec
Human driving time: 139h
Human dispatch time:2h
Reduction in driving time:21h
Reduction rate in driving
time 15.1%
Reduction rate in dispatch
time 99%

Vehicle driving routeFermenstation: Production of raw materials for cosmetics andother products using unused biomass resources Fermentation upcycling technology utilising micro-organisms to generate and commercialise high valueadded biomaterials from unused biomass.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative•

Production of ethanol and other biomaterials using
unique fermentation and distillation technologies. Joint
research into new materials with major food andbeverage manufacturers.

••

100% naturally derived and traceable raw materials, soldto major cosmetics manufacturers as raw materials forcosmetics and sundries, as well as planning and sellingown-brand products.

Strong links with large companies (food and beveragefactories), JA, primary industry sites and local authorities
to utilise unused biomass resources. Access to diverse
range of materials and proven track record of utilisation.
In-house database of unused resources also maintained.

••

Over 10 years' expertise in research and development
specialising in underutilised resources.

Four partnership-based businesses based on highly
innovative upcycled raw materials; fermented raw
material sales, R&D business co-creation, OEM, own
brand (BtoC).

•
Collaborators
Targetproducts/
materials
Initiative•

Biomass resource providers (primaryindustry, beverages, food)
Product sellers (e.g. cosmetics, lifestyle,retail)Unutilised biomass, such as off-specificationcereals, vegetables and fruit, juice and wine
pomaceRecycling (applications for bio-materials include
cosmetics, food and beverages, supplements,
home care and chemical products)

Company profile: Research and development start-up using unique fermentation
technology to build a society that recycles and recirculates unused
resources, established in 2009.
Website:https://fermenstation.co.jp/

Collaboration: Regenerative and circulatory partnership for untapped biomass
Byproducts and residues
generated in
manufacturing
processes

Regenerative andcirculatory
partnershipfor untappedbiomass
Value addition through materializationand commercialization (Upcycling)
Large corporation(manufacturing industry, etc.)

Nonstandard/surplu
s produced
during the
distribution
process

Products with new
added valuePartnershipcompanies

Provide unused resources
Product sales

Sustainable
new business

Cosmetics, Lifestyle

Retail, Local

AC Biode Corporation: Carbon capture from the air filters tomake glass raw material Filters with Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology capture CO2 from the atmosphere and recycle it into raw
materials for glass and cement.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative••

App used to track and visualize CO2 capture.

•

DAC can be implemented anywhere with little or no
additional power consumption, leading to behaviourchange.

•CO2 capture from air purifiers with DAC capabilities, andvisualisation using an app. Future applications planned
for air conditioning, ducts, promotions.
Captured CO2 (using air filters) regenerated into glass,etc.

•

Unlike other DACs, CO2 separation, cleaning andliquefaction are not required.

•

Air purifiers with DAC and DAC equipment already sold.
Contracts have been signed in Japan, Europe, Republic ofKorea and other countries.

Reco Glass Carbon Capture + Air purifiers and DAC equipment(a collaborative project with Revcel Ltd.).
Air cleaner + air filter

No additional energy

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000015.000084759.html

Collaborators••

Target products/
materials

Chemically the same composition as
conventional glass, and similar glass
production and processing is possible

Initiative

Recycled glass used for bottles, cosmetic
containers, glass souvenirs for events, crystal,glasses, windows

Air purifier manufacturers
Glass manufacturers

Company profile: chemistry-based start-up founded in April 2019. Offices in Japan,
Luxembourg and Cambridge, UK. Conducts R&D and business in Japanand Europe.
Website:https://acbiode.com/

World's first recycling into glass(according to our research)

Case study

6 months

No additional
power use
2kg filter
800g CO2
absorption
every 10 days

Mitsubishi Electric: Establishment of large-scale collection routes
for waste plastic derived from small household appliances A survey and analysis was carried out with the aim of establishing a mechanism to promote the recycling ofplastic, which lags behind metals in recycling in small household appliances.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative••

Collaboration of arterial and venous companies
active in resource recycling through a publicly
advertised project by the Tokyo Metropolitan
Government.

•

Digital technology visualizes amount collected, withsystem enabling resource recycling project members
to share amount collected in real time, and to verify
effectiveness of publicity measures and othermeasures to increase collection.

Waste plastic from small household appliances has
lower recycling rate as a resource than waste plastic
from four items specified by the Home Appliance
Recycling Law (refrigerators, air-conditioners,
washing machines and televisions).

•

Establishing resource circulation processes fromcollection and dismantling of small household
appliances to reprocessing, and implementing
recycling mechanism on a small scale targeting ricecookers.

•

Dismantling of used rice cookers completed.

Collaborators

•
•
•
•
•

Tokyo Metropolitan Gov.
Bic Camera
Future Ecology
Veolia Group
digglue Inc.

Target products/
materials

Waste plastics from rice cookers andhousehold appliances.

Initiative

Recycled (recycled materials are considered
for use in appliances, etc.)

Company profile: Established in 1921. Businesses related to manufacture and sale ofheavy electrical systems, industrial mechatronics, information andcommunication systems, electronic devices and household electricalappliances.
Website:https://www.mitsubishielectric.co.jp/

Operation Structure

Collect small household
appliancesat electronics retailers

Disassemble & sortsmall household appliances
Future ecology

Collect small household appliances
Bic Camera

Disassemble small household appliances
Sort plastic

Enter
performancedata

Manufacture recycled products
Considering potential collaboration
partners

Material recycling of plastic

CompoundVeolia Jenets

Digitalplatform
digglue

Crush plastic
Crushing service provider

Sort mixed plastics
Considering potential collaboration
partners

Investigation & analysis, promote a series of business activities,
Provide a digital platform for resource circulation

Provide advanced plastic sorting
technologies
such as electrostatic separation,
expertise in household appliancerecyclingDentsu: Circulation platform “De, owaresenai Project”(So we don’t let things end here project)
 Digital platform connecting arterial and venous industry with consumers, promoting collection andrecycling activities from a marketing perspective.
Outline of initiative

Key points of initiative

•

•

•

In November 2023, a demonstration of a circulation platform
combining 'collection' and 'sales promotion' was launched.
The aim of the project is to confirm and identify issues related tochanges in student awareness and behaviour in collection andrecycling, as well as the effects of sales promotions, by utilising thecircular platform developed by the Dentsu Group for the social
implementation of the circular economy.
••

Collaborators•••

Meiji: manufacture and sale of products and provisionof discount coupons
Lawson: installation of sales and resource recycling
boxes
Nakadai Holdings: circulation system for recoveredmaterials, network construction.
Dentsu: verification of planning design andexperimental results
Dentsu PMP: system development and implementation

Target products/
materials

Paper cartons and caps for Meiji Oishii Gyunyu and other
LAWSON products.

Initiative

Collection (with incentive payments/discount coupons).
Recycling (open loop for use in new products)

•
•
•
•

DX for goods and information, linking arterial and venous industry
and consumer, aggregating type/quantity of collected materials
and tracking information.
Monetization through sales promotion channels via collection
through incentives such as coupons
Promotion of awareness and behavioural change by providing
individual incentives to consumers according to the collected
items and collection history.
Cost reduction and rationalisation through the operation of amulti-company shared collection platform, and more efficient
recycling through separate collection by material.
Developing next generation of sustainable customers who
participate in on going purchasing and collection, building
communities and utilising sales promotions.

Open loop
Utilize in new
products

VenousIndustry

RecycleManufacturing

Products+
Information

Collection

How to use

Purchase paper pack product, register JAN code using
smartphone after use, return to collection box at store andreceive discount coupon. Collection and recycling.

Company profile: Established in 1901. Japanese advertising agency.
Website:https://www.dentsu.co.jp/

Arterial Industry

Sales

Consumers

Companies participating
in experimental test

Planning
Development

List of all cases presented at J4CE public-private dialogues in
FY2023
Theme

Collaborative initiatives onplastic between upstream
and downstream industries

Pitches at the businessnetworking event

Collaborative inititaives
using digital technology

resenter

Title

City of Sendai

Initiatives for plastic resource recycling through public-private
partnerships

Daiei Kankyo Co., Ltd.

Accreditation for the “Recycling Business Plan” based on the newplastic recycling law

Suntory Holdings Limited

PET bottle recycling efforts to realize a sustainable society

Kao Corporation

RecyCreation: Horizontal recycling of refill packs and collaboration withother companies

Chaintope Inc.

Secure traceability (DPP-compliant)

JEMS Inc.

Polyester fishing net recycling traceability

Refinverse Inc.

Recycling business for carpet tiles, fishing nets and airbags

TBM Co., Ltd.

Plastic and paper alternative material “ LIMEX ” andplastic resource recycling business

Taisei Corporation

Milk-run transportation system for construction waste recover

NEION Film Coatings Corp．

Film Coatings Corp.: Horizontal recycling of label backing paper

FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.

Reuse and recycling of MFPs and toner cartridges

Envipro Holdings Inc.

Manufacture of cushion mats reusing rubber scraps from Toyoda Gosei

PwC Advisory LLC

M&A strategies to improve circularity

Elefantech Inc.

Mass production technology for printed circuit boards using metal inkjet
printing

WOTA Corp.

Small-scale decentralized water recycling system

BioPhenolics Inc.

Production of aromatic biochemicals from biomass

EII, Inc.

AI automatic vehicle dispatch system

Fermenstation Co., Ltd.

Production of raw materials for cosmetics andother products using unused biomass resources

AC Biode Corporation

Carbon capture from the air filters to make glass raw material

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Establishment of large-scale collection routes for waste plastic derived
from small household appliances

Dentsu Inc.

Circulation platform “De, owaresenai Project”(So we don’t let things end here project)

Event

10th

11th

12th

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