Hurdles in the path to non-petroleum materials

Combatting global warming requires disparate strategies that contribute towards a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Substituting CO2-generating petroleum-based manufacture of plastics and other chemicals with more sustainable processes is imperative. We must also limit the release of plastics that remain in the environment. This is a major target of the Government of Japan’s contribution towards SDGs.

The government has challenged industry to produce 2 million tons per year of non-petroleum plastics by 2030. But major technological and financial hurdles remain in light of current production methods.

UCDI^®PLASTIC

Technology for 100% non-petroleum plastics; that is the promise of UCDI^® PLASTIC.

UCDI^® PLASTIC includes CO2 Polylactic Acid, CO2 Polyethylene and others made from CO2. CO2 Polylactic Acid is made with our world-leading technology for producing lactic acid from CO2. This completely non-petroleum material can find a wide range of applications including shopping bags, food trays, agricultural materials, tableware, stationery and construction materials.

Initially, we aim to supply CO2 Polylactic Acid trays for ready-made foods sold in convenience stores and supermarkets.