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Refineverse Corporation to Expand Polyolefin Recycling Operations

In an ambitious move towards improving sustainability and resource recovery, Refineverse Corporation, headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, has announced that it will introduce advanced polyolefin recycling equipment at its new facility in Gamagori starting this June. This facility is set to kick off its operations in July, marking a significant step in the company’s initiative to enhance its polyolefin recycling business, following the industry-leading efforts at its RIVIC center in Chiba Prefecture.

Aiming for High Purity in Resource Circulation

Polyolefins, including polyethylene and polypropylene, are among the most widely used plastics for various packaging and container applications. However, these materials often come in composite forms, mixed with other materials like paper and aluminum, which complicates the recycling process and inhibits resource circulation. Recognizing these challenges, Refineverse has made significant investments in research and development to address these obstacles.

Traditional polylaminate products, like paper packs coated with polyolefin films, face difficulties in the separation of components, which has led to limited recycling efforts, with many ending up as waste or merely recovered through thermal energy. Polyolefins represent a major segment of plastic consumption in Japan, and enhancing the purity of recycled polyolefins could unveil vast urban oilfields of potential resources currently buried within waste. Therefore, advancing purification technology for waste polyolefin products has become a focal point for Refineverse.

To tackle these issues, the company is leveraging its unique core technology developed through the REAMIDE project, which has successfully focused on the efficient recovery of composite materials. By applying this method to polyolefin recycling, Refineverse has created a new process that allows for the cost-effective mass production of high-purity polyolefin exclusively from mixed waste products. This novel equipment installation at the Gamagori facility will allow the company to produce recycled polyolefins suitable for both material and chemical recycling processes.

Versatile Applications for Recycled Materials

The new recycling capabilities will enable Refineverse to manufacture reusable polyolefin materials applicable to various sectors, including automotive, construction, and general consumer goods. These materials can serve as primary ingredients for durable consumer goods like construction materials and even bags. Furthermore, in chemical recycling, the recovered polyolefins can be utilized as feedstock for producing crude oil or naphtha, highlighting the versatility of the new recycled products.

The company’s aspirations extend further as it actively seeks to improve and broaden the scope of its technological applications. Future endeavors will include high-purity recovery from aluminum-laminated products and enhancing polyolefin recovery from discarded automobile materials. This initiative aims to generalize the circular supply chain in Japan through increased resource utilization and refinement of waste management processes.

A Legacy of Circular Economy Commitment

Refineverse Group operates under the slogan, "Connecting Wealth to the Future through Unique Perspectives and Technologies," reflecting its long-standing commitment to the circular economy. For over 20 years, it has pioneered innovative approaches to material recycling and development. Through initiatives like retrieving discarded carpet tiles and transforming them into new materials, Refineverse has successfully achieved horizontal recycling that has often eluded the industry.

The company also champions projects focused on repurposing old fishing nets and decommissioned automotive airbags into high-quality recycled nylon pellets known as REAMIDE. Additionally, it is exploring new bioplastics sourced from bird feathers (ReFEZER) and asphalt modifiers from recycled automotive interiors (REOCA), alongside newly conceived rubber recycling materials (RENAMY). These efforts contribute toward creating new value from discarded materials, aiming to realize a sustainable, circular economic society through business innovation.