TBM and Analytical Firm Clearise Sign MOU for Joint Development of Chemical Substance Management and Quality Assurance Scheme for PCR Recycled Materials
TBM Co., Ltd. and Clearise Co., Ltd. have agreed to jointly develop a quality assurance scheme to ensure the safety and transparency of chemical substances in Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics, aiming to promote high-performance recycled materials like 'CirculeX' in the automotive industry.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 15:31
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TBM Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Atsuyoshi Yamasaki; hereinafter "TBM"), which possesses technical expertise in enhancing the functionality of recycled materials through material development, and Clearise Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture; President: Yoshihisa Sekine; hereinafter "Clearise"), an independent analytical firm specializing in everything from material analysis to safety evaluation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a management and quality assurance scheme for regulated chemical substances in PCR recycled materials.
Through this collaboration, the companies aim to eliminate the opacity of chemical substance management—one of the biggest barriers to the distribution of recycled materials—and create an environment where companies, particularly in markets with high quality and safety standards such as the automotive industry, can adopt recycled materials with confidence. At the same time, they will promote the popularization of "CirculeX," a high-performance recycled material that combines strength surpassing virgin plastic through TBM's unique technology.
*PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled): Recycled materials collected after consumers have used products like plastic goods.
■ Background
Currently, regulations regarding the circular economy of plastics are being strengthened in various countries. In Europe, efforts toward a circular economy are accelerating with the announcement of the new ELV (End-of-Life Vehicles) regulation proposal, which mandates the use of recycled plastics in new vehicles, and the enforcement of the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), which mandates the recycled content in packaging. In Japan, movements toward resource circulation are also active under the "Plastic Resource Circulation Strategy," which sets a goal to double the recycling of plastics by 2030.
Reflecting these trends, the recycled plastics market is showing a strong growth trend both domestically and internationally. The domestic market is predicted to grow from approximately 171.9 billion yen in 2024 to about 325.9 billion yen by 2040, while the global market is expected to reach approximately 13.7 trillion yen by 2025 and about 23.7 trillion yen by 2032.
On the other hand, for the further spread of recycled materials, strict chemical substance management equivalent to that of petroleum-derived virgin plastics is essential. While proof of compliance with strict chemical substance regulations such as "Chemical Substances Control Law / Industrial Safety and Health Act" in Japan, "REACH/RoHS" overseas, and the automotive industry's unique "GADSL" is required, management rules for recycled materials collected from diverse routes have not yet been established. Especially for end users such as automobile manufacturers who prioritize safety and quality, the invisible risk of unclear chemical risk management standards has been a major dilemma preventing the adoption of recycled materials.
■ Content of Cooperation
Based on this MOU, TBM will utilize its manufacturing know-how of recycled materials and knowledge of market needs and regulations, while Clearise will provide its advanced analytical technologies such as mass spectrometry to develop a new quality assurance scheme that visualizes risks unique to recycled materials. Beyond a simple business alliance, by jointly developing the "Chemical Substance Management Rules (Evaluation Standards) for Recycled Materials" themselves—an industry-wide challenge—they will build an environment where companies can adopt recycled materials with peace of mind. Simultaneously, they will promote "CirculeX," a high-performance PCR material derived from used plastics that nonetheless possesses strength exceeding virgin plastic.
*Calculation method: Comparison results with PP (polypropylene) in tests conforming to JIS K 7171 (flexural strength) and JIS K 7111 (Charpy impact strength) (in-house research). Physical properties are representative values and not guaranteed values. Target grades: "High strength + Low odor grade," "High strength grade."
・Joint Development of New Evaluation Standards and Quality Assurance Schemes for PCR Recycled Materials
They will jointly develop new evaluation standards to objectively prove the non-inclusion of regulated chemical substances that may be contained in recycled materials. By combining TBM's information on market needs and regulations in industries like automotive with Clearise's expertise, they will build a quality assurance mechanism with clear analysis items and pass criteria, aiming to create an industry standard.
・Establishment of Analytical Methods and Risk Evaluation for Recycled Materials Using Advanced Analytical Technology
They will utilize Clearise's analytical technology to establish methods for accurately detecting trace chemical substances in recycled materials.
Through this collaboration, the companies aim to eliminate the opacity of chemical substance management—one of the biggest barriers to the distribution of recycled materials—and create an environment where companies, particularly in markets with high quality and safety standards such as the automotive industry, can adopt recycled materials with confidence. At the same time, they will promote the popularization of "CirculeX," a high-performance recycled material that combines strength surpassing virgin plastic through TBM's unique technology.
*PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled): Recycled materials collected after consumers have used products like plastic goods.
■ Background
Currently, regulations regarding the circular economy of plastics are being strengthened in various countries. In Europe, efforts toward a circular economy are accelerating with the announcement of the new ELV (End-of-Life Vehicles) regulation proposal, which mandates the use of recycled plastics in new vehicles, and the enforcement of the PPWR (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation), which mandates the recycled content in packaging. In Japan, movements toward resource circulation are also active under the "Plastic Resource Circulation Strategy," which sets a goal to double the recycling of plastics by 2030.
Reflecting these trends, the recycled plastics market is showing a strong growth trend both domestically and internationally. The domestic market is predicted to grow from approximately 171.9 billion yen in 2024 to about 325.9 billion yen by 2040, while the global market is expected to reach approximately 13.7 trillion yen by 2025 and about 23.7 trillion yen by 2032.
On the other hand, for the further spread of recycled materials, strict chemical substance management equivalent to that of petroleum-derived virgin plastics is essential. While proof of compliance with strict chemical substance regulations such as "Chemical Substances Control Law / Industrial Safety and Health Act" in Japan, "REACH/RoHS" overseas, and the automotive industry's unique "GADSL" is required, management rules for recycled materials collected from diverse routes have not yet been established. Especially for end users such as automobile manufacturers who prioritize safety and quality, the invisible risk of unclear chemical risk management standards has been a major dilemma preventing the adoption of recycled materials.
■ Content of Cooperation
Based on this MOU, TBM will utilize its manufacturing know-how of recycled materials and knowledge of market needs and regulations, while Clearise will provide its advanced analytical technologies such as mass spectrometry to develop a new quality assurance scheme that visualizes risks unique to recycled materials. Beyond a simple business alliance, by jointly developing the "Chemical Substance Management Rules (Evaluation Standards) for Recycled Materials" themselves—an industry-wide challenge—they will build an environment where companies can adopt recycled materials with peace of mind. Simultaneously, they will promote "CirculeX," a high-performance PCR material derived from used plastics that nonetheless possesses strength exceeding virgin plastic.
*Calculation method: Comparison results with PP (polypropylene) in tests conforming to JIS K 7171 (flexural strength) and JIS K 7111 (Charpy impact strength) (in-house research). Physical properties are representative values and not guaranteed values. Target grades: "High strength + Low odor grade," "High strength grade."
・Joint Development of New Evaluation Standards and Quality Assurance Schemes for PCR Recycled Materials
They will jointly develop new evaluation standards to objectively prove the non-inclusion of regulated chemical substances that may be contained in recycled materials. By combining TBM's information on market needs and regulations in industries like automotive with Clearise's expertise, they will build a quality assurance mechanism with clear analysis items and pass criteria, aiming to create an industry standard.
・Establishment of Analytical Methods and Risk Evaluation for Recycled Materials Using Advanced Analytical Technology
They will utilize Clearise's analytical technology to establish methods for accurately detecting trace chemical substances in recycled materials.