In line with global trends, Japan's environment ministry is working to promote domestic use of bioplastics and to end the use of disposable items made from oil-derived plastics that cause environmental pollution. The campaign to stop using single-use plastics has spread in Japan and beyond. Us coffee giant starbucks has decided to stop using plastic straws in its global stores by 2020, following the announcement by a family restaurant chain that it will stop using plastic straws this year.
The use of bioplastics reduces the consumption of oil and the amount of rubbish to be burned, as they are easily broken down by microorganisms underground. However, because of the high cost and the large - scale production system has not been fully implemented, it is difficult to popularize.
The ministry plans to fund companies and universities to develop technology to replace plastic packaging with bioplastics. It is also keen to expand and improve facilities to increase production of bio-plastic products. The ministry of health has budgeted 5 billion pounds ($45 million) for these projects in its budget request for the next financial year, for the study of methods for collecting and processing used bio-plastic products.
Japanese auto parts supplier Denso Corp, for example, is using bioplastics in its products, including polycarbonate made from castor oil polyurethane and starch. The company said that PCS made of starch had not only higher surface hardness, but also better optical properties and water stability than conventional materials. PCS made of biomaterials have a lower refractive index and are more likely to be colored, which means they don't have to be colored, Denso said in a press release. Toyota has also used Denso materials in its navigation system's oblique pad.
The heat-resistant polyurethane resin made from castor oil can be used as a protective device for connectors in automobile waste sensors. These sensors must be highly heat-resistant to measure the concentration of a particular gas. Usually made of silicone. Company claimed that the new polyurethane resin are cheaper, and can withstand temperatures up to 150 °, can significantly reduce melting or shape of its body. It also says it is the world's first resin of this type. The company established the eco-2025 action plan. It says it will continue to develop plant-based plastics and increase the number of these products. The aim is to reduce oil use and carbon dioxide emissions in the use of products.
According to the government's global warming prevention plan, by increasing domestic bio-plastic transport to 1.97 million tonnes by fiscal 2030, China could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2.09 million tonnes. In order to meet the temporary target of producing 790,000 tonnes of bio-plastics in the fiscal year 2020, the government is considering significantly increasing production of bio-plastics.
Article source: packaging industry network