[cIRcLE](23.Glow Of Diamonds)
Background Information
The production of plastic from petroleum produces carbon dioxide due to the combustion of fossil fuels.
In 2015, carbon dioxide emissions from plastic production were about 720 million metric tons. This isestimated to be about 2.8 billion metric tons by 2050 [1].
In order to reduce the large amount of carbon dioxide emissions from plastic production, we propose adevice called cIRcLE. This device synthesizes biodegradable plastic from sunlight, water, and carbon
dioxide.
Although there are already businesses that produce materials for plastic through artificial
photosynthesis, plastic causes negative impacts on the environment. Specifically, they emit carbon
dioxide when burned for disposal, and microplastic pollute the ocean. Even biodegradable plastic
decomposes into water and carbon dioxide, so when produced using petrochemicals, they result in therelease of fossil fuel-derived carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
In cIRcLE, carbon neutrality is achieved by using carbon dioxide as an ingredient.
Outline
In cIRcLE, hydrogen is first extracted from water, and this hydrogen and carbon dioxide are used tomake lactic acid. Then, polylactic acid, a biodegradable plastic, is produced from the lactic acid.
In the reaction to extract hydrogen from water, titanium dioxide, a photocatalyst that exhibits catalytic
activity when exposed to ultraviolet light, is used. The ultraviolet rays used here are mainly fromsunlight. With current technology, the efficiency of converting solar energy has reached 7.2%[2]. This is
more than 30 times higher than the efficiency of plants, which is 0.2%[3]. On cloudy or rainy days, anultraviolet irradiation system is used.
Hydrogen bacteria then absorb the extracted hydrogen and carbon dioxide from the air to produce lactic
acid through carbon assimilation. By thermal decomposition, this lactic acid is synthesized intopolylactic acid, which is then sold as biodegradable plastic.

Marketability
a.Target Analysis
We sell biodegradable plastic produced by cIRcLE to plastic processing plants. Factories benefit fromthe stable availability of materials since they no longer need to import ingredients such as petroleum. Inaddition, the biodegradable plastic cIRcLE produces can be offered at $3/kg, which is significantly lower
than the conventional $7~10/kg[4]. This will also make the price of products manufactured at the plantcheaper than the usual biodegradable plastic products, increasing product purchases, and the plant'sprofits.

b.Marketing Strategy
We will provide brochures to companies to explain that our biodegradable plastic is environmentallyfriendly and does not cost that much. We will also introduce cIRcLE at tech conventions to raiseawareness and increase the number of companies purchasing our plastic.
Financial Projection

Because cIRcLE uses advanced science and technology, we will put $500,000 into its development. Inaddition, we will obtain government subsidies[5] to reduce the initial investment. Since the photocatalyst
is a catalyst, there is no need to purchase it every year. Similarly, hydrogen bacteria grow fast, with one
individual multiplying to 16 million in 24 hours[6], so only the initial cost is required. Due to cIRcLE being
an unprecedented product, there is no clear production cost, but according to our calculations it will be
profitable from year 2 and we will be able to distribute dividends.
Conclusion
cIRcLE applies current technology to the sustainable production of biodegradable plastic. Here, thecarbon dioxide released during decomposition is again absorbed by hydrogen bacteria to produce new
biodegradable plastic. This is a breakthrough technology for decarbonization. To improve theircorporate image by expressing their efforts to achieve the SDGs, companies will purchase our plastic
more. This will allow us to have stable profits.
References[1]https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Plastic-and-Climate-FINAL-2019.pdf[2]https://www.tytlabs.com/presentation/case-1.html[3]https://www.shimadzu.co.jp/boomerang/44/04.html[4]https://www.sanko-shoji.jp/lecture/cn4/pg128346.html[5]https://www.env.go.jp/earth/earth/ondanka/energy-taisakutokubetsu-kaikeir03/matetr03-08.pdf[6]https://www.obayashi.co.jp/news/detail/news20190617_1.html