Efforts by Mitsubishi Chemical to Address Sustainable Plastics Production

Abstract

Promotion of the Plastic Resource Recycling Law was promulgated in June 2021 and came into effect in April 2022. The Law has established a roadmap for the promotion of resource recycling initiatives for every aspect of the commercial flow of plastic materials/products – from product design to waste disposal, and beyond. In May 2024, The Act on Advancement of Recycling Businesses, etc. was passed and enacted by the Plenary Meeting of the House of Councilors. The Law expects manufacturers and distributors of plastic materials/products to take an initiative in utilizing recycled materials in their own materials/products. While there is a growing trend, mainly in Europe, to mandate the use of recycled materials in automobiles and other products, discussions are underway to formulate the Fifth Basic Plan for the Promotion of a Recycling-Oriented Society, which includes the two laws mentioned above. The plan will for the first time clearly state the transition to a circular economy and, together with the realization of carbon neutrality, is expected to set forth specific directions and numerical targets for every type of material with a broader view toward strengthening industrial competitiveness. Both targets are difficult to achieve by the manufacturers of plastic materials/products alone. This paper introduces examples of how Mitsubishi Chemical is making efforts to address the production of sustainable plastics in order to promote the use of recycled materials．