Cutting-edge materials to reduce the 'invisible environmental burden' in manufacturing gather in Osaka! Introducing the latest materials for a 'zero-waste era' including waste plastic, paper, plant resources, and recycling technologies
RX Japan Co., Ltd. will host the '14th Highly-Functional Material Week [Osaka]' at Intex Osaka from May 13 (Wed) to 15 (Fri), 2026. This event will showcase cutting-edge materials and technologies aimed at reducing the 'invisible environmental burden' in manufacturing, contributing to a decarbonized and circular economy.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 22:30
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RX Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Takeshi Tanaka) will hold the '14th Highly-Functional Material Week [Osaka]' at Intex Osaka for three days from May 13 (Wednesday) to May 15 (Friday), 2026.
Environmental issues familiar to our daily lives, such as food loss and plastic problems, have become widely known. However, in the manufacturing industry, the 'invisible environmental burden' arising from materials and manufacturing processes still poses a challenge. For example, materials containing harmful substances, wasteful manufacturing processes, and the generation of waste and wastewater—these issues are not visible after products are completed, making them largely unknown to the general public, yet they are realities that companies and workplaces have faced for many years.
Amidst this, technologies that have successfully reduced environmental impact by rethinking materials themselves are now attracting attention. The '14th Highly-Functional Material Week Osaka', to be held from May 13, will feature numerous cutting-edge materials that achieve both environmental consideration and on-site improvement, such as materials that suppress the use of harmful substances and technologies that can simplify the manufacturing process itself. The exhibition will gather the most advanced materials based on decarbonization and circularity, including those regenerated from waste plastics, paper, and plant resources that would have otherwise been discarded, as well as wastewater. It's an exhibition where you can see the 'materials of a zero-waste era'.
Official website here ▶
Materials born from 'what was discarded'
Tsukino Oleochemicals Co., Ltd.
Rice bran: a byproduct full of dreams
Extracts functional ingredients that pursue safety and security, made from allergen-free rice bran. They are developing alternatives to petroleum-derived products for inks, soaps, and asphalt.
Nippon Talc Co., Ltd.
Scallop shell-derived calcium carbonate
Approximately 200,000 tons or more of scallop shells are generated annually. In collaboration with local governments across Hokkaido, their long-cultivated crushing technology is widely used as a plastic filler.
Seiko Advance Co., Ltd.
Sustainable inks born from industrial waste
Utilizes wood flour, produced by crushing thinned wood and scraps generated during wood processing, as a raw material. By using wood flour as an ink ingredient, they reduce petroleum-derived raw materials and CO₂ emissions during printing.
Plant-derived, replacing petroleum
Kao Corporation
High-performance materials made with fermentation technology
An environmentally friendly material produced from plant-derived biomass using fermentation technology. It features the highest level of antioxidant properties among plant-derived components. It is the world's first successful mass production of aromatic compounds and gallic acid via fermentation technology.
Toyo Cloth Co., Ltd.
Urethane synthetic leather using up to 50% plant-derived content
Achieves a soft and unique tactile sensation by applying special surface processing to a porous layer. It also imparts moisture permeability and breathability. This material has a proven track record in various applications such as furniture, sofas, and bags.
Kobayashi Co., Ltd.
Reducing petroleum usage and CO₂ emissions with corn-derived materials
Plastic derived from corn starch. With a biomass content of up to 55%, it contributes to reducing petroleum usage and CO₂ emissions. It has a track record in confectionery trays and cosmetic containers, and its natural material texture is a distinctive feature.
Technologies for 'resource circulation'
Oji Holdings Corporation
Creating a recycling loop together
A new, collaborative recycling system that makes it possible to recycle materials that were previously difficult to recycle. Aiming for a future where the resource circulation loop expands beyond industry and corporate boundaries, they continue to challenge the re-materialization of more waste.
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
Converting used bioplastics into urban gas resources
Developed a technology to recover used polylactic acid, a type of bioplastic, and reuse it as a raw material for urban gas using microorganisms. They introduce initiatives for circulating waste as an energy resource.
Clearize Co., Ltd.
From 'waste water' to 'resources'
Next-generation water recycling achieved by unique electrolytic oxidation technology. Substances that were difficult to treat with conventional methods are decomposed and detoxified at a molecular level. Washing water that was previously discharged or discarded is returned to the washing process.
Exhibition Overview
Western Japan's largest exhibition featuring cutting-edge material technologies all under one roof
Exhibition Name: The 14th Highly-Functional Material Week [Osaka]
Period: May 13 (Wed) - 15 (Fri), 2026, 10:00 - 17:00
Venue: Intex Osaka Organizer: RX Japan Co., Ltd.
Co-located Exhibitions:
・The 6th Photonix [Osaka] - Optical & Laser Technology Expo
・The 2nd Recycle Tech Japan [Osaka]
・The 1st Intense Heat Tech [Osaka] - Intense Heat Countermeasures Technology Expo
Last year's 2025 Venue Scenes
Venue Layout Map
Official website here ▶
★ For media representatives: Click here to apply for coverage
---
Feel free to contact us ---
Environmental issues familiar to our daily lives, such as food loss and plastic problems, have become widely known. However, in the manufacturing industry, the 'invisible environmental burden' arising from materials and manufacturing processes still poses a challenge. For example, materials containing harmful substances, wasteful manufacturing processes, and the generation of waste and wastewater—these issues are not visible after products are completed, making them largely unknown to the general public, yet they are realities that companies and workplaces have faced for many years.
Amidst this, technologies that have successfully reduced environmental impact by rethinking materials themselves are now attracting attention. The '14th Highly-Functional Material Week Osaka', to be held from May 13, will feature numerous cutting-edge materials that achieve both environmental consideration and on-site improvement, such as materials that suppress the use of harmful substances and technologies that can simplify the manufacturing process itself. The exhibition will gather the most advanced materials based on decarbonization and circularity, including those regenerated from waste plastics, paper, and plant resources that would have otherwise been discarded, as well as wastewater. It's an exhibition where you can see the 'materials of a zero-waste era'.
Official website here ▶
Materials born from 'what was discarded'
Tsukino Oleochemicals Co., Ltd.
Rice bran: a byproduct full of dreams
Extracts functional ingredients that pursue safety and security, made from allergen-free rice bran. They are developing alternatives to petroleum-derived products for inks, soaps, and asphalt.
Nippon Talc Co., Ltd.
Scallop shell-derived calcium carbonate
Approximately 200,000 tons or more of scallop shells are generated annually. In collaboration with local governments across Hokkaido, their long-cultivated crushing technology is widely used as a plastic filler.
Seiko Advance Co., Ltd.
Sustainable inks born from industrial waste
Utilizes wood flour, produced by crushing thinned wood and scraps generated during wood processing, as a raw material. By using wood flour as an ink ingredient, they reduce petroleum-derived raw materials and CO₂ emissions during printing.
Plant-derived, replacing petroleum
Kao Corporation
High-performance materials made with fermentation technology
An environmentally friendly material produced from plant-derived biomass using fermentation technology. It features the highest level of antioxidant properties among plant-derived components. It is the world's first successful mass production of aromatic compounds and gallic acid via fermentation technology.
Toyo Cloth Co., Ltd.
Urethane synthetic leather using up to 50% plant-derived content
Achieves a soft and unique tactile sensation by applying special surface processing to a porous layer. It also imparts moisture permeability and breathability. This material has a proven track record in various applications such as furniture, sofas, and bags.
Kobayashi Co., Ltd.
Reducing petroleum usage and CO₂ emissions with corn-derived materials
Plastic derived from corn starch. With a biomass content of up to 55%, it contributes to reducing petroleum usage and CO₂ emissions. It has a track record in confectionery trays and cosmetic containers, and its natural material texture is a distinctive feature.
Technologies for 'resource circulation'
Oji Holdings Corporation
Creating a recycling loop together
A new, collaborative recycling system that makes it possible to recycle materials that were previously difficult to recycle. Aiming for a future where the resource circulation loop expands beyond industry and corporate boundaries, they continue to challenge the re-materialization of more waste.
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
Converting used bioplastics into urban gas resources
Developed a technology to recover used polylactic acid, a type of bioplastic, and reuse it as a raw material for urban gas using microorganisms. They introduce initiatives for circulating waste as an energy resource.
Clearize Co., Ltd.
From 'waste water' to 'resources'
Next-generation water recycling achieved by unique electrolytic oxidation technology. Substances that were difficult to treat with conventional methods are decomposed and detoxified at a molecular level. Washing water that was previously discharged or discarded is returned to the washing process.
Exhibition Overview
Western Japan's largest exhibition featuring cutting-edge material technologies all under one roof
Exhibition Name: The 14th Highly-Functional Material Week [Osaka]
Period: May 13 (Wed) - 15 (Fri), 2026, 10:00 - 17:00
Venue: Intex Osaka Organizer: RX Japan Co., Ltd.
Co-located Exhibitions:
・The 6th Photonix [Osaka] - Optical & Laser Technology Expo
・The 2nd Recycle Tech Japan [Osaka]
・The 1st Intense Heat Tech [Osaka] - Intense Heat Countermeasures Technology Expo
Last year's 2025 Venue Scenes
Venue Layout Map
Official website here ▶
★ For media representatives: Click here to apply for coverage
---
Feel free to contact us ---