Joint Research for Realizing a Circular Economy for Plastics

Honda Trading Corporation (Representative Director, President and Executive Officer: Tatsuya Natsume) has participated in an initiative planned and promoted by Mizuho Bank, Ltd. (President & CEO: Katsuhiko Kato) and Mizuho Research & Technologies, Ltd. (President & CEO: Masatoshi Yoshihara). Together with Ishizaka Group (Representative Director: Takamitsu Ishizaka), CFP Co., Ltd. (Representative Director: Namie Fukuda), Taiyo Oil Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Takahiro Yamamoto), Toyota Tsusho Corporation (President & CEO: Toshimitsu Imai), and Nissan Trading Co., Ltd. (Representative Director, President and CEO: Takeshi Ishii), we have conducted joint research on the feasibility of building a plastic recycling supply chain utilizing chemical recycling, primarily in Kyushu, as part of our efforts to realize a circular economy for plastics.

1. Background of the Joint Research In recent years, with the deepening of the plastic waste problem and the realization of a resource-recycling society, the demand for reducing environmental impact has been increasing both domestically and internationally. Particularly in the European Union (EU), the revision of the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive (ELV Regulation) indicates a direction where a certain percentage of recycled plastic materials will be mandated for use in new vehicle production. In response to such global regulatory trends, the Japanese automotive industry also faces an urgent challenge to expand the use of recycled materials and build new supply chains for stable procurement.

Given these circumstances, the knowledge of the eight participating companies was brought together, focusing on Kyushu, a hub for the automotive industry and where the launch of semiconductor-related industries is progressing. Joint research was conducted on the feasibility of building a plastic recycling supply chain to supply recycled materials necessary for automobile manufacturing in Kyushu.

2. Overview of Joint Research Activities (Activities) * Survey of collected quantities of used plastics * Analysis of recycling technologies (suitability for pyrolysis plants and oil refining plants) * Analysis of facility location and logistics * Cost analysis related to recycled materials * Acceptance analysis for consumers * Verification of measures to bridge price differences

(Image of Chemical Recycling Chain in Kyushu)

(Roles of Each Company) Company Name | Role ---|--- Ishizaka Group | Collection/sorting/processing/resource recycling of various waste, including plastics, mainly in Kyushu, with many years of broad experience.