#Japan #Tokyo #recycling technology #Refineverse Group #Milk Pack

Refineverse Group Announces Innovative Recycling Technology for Polyethylene Films from Used Milk Packs

In a groundbreaking development, Refineverse Group, headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has successfully refined and purified technology for polyethylene films used in milk cartons and similar products. This achievement promises to significantly enhance resource circulation through milk carton recycling.

Background of the Development

Every year, approximately 88,000 tons of waste from paper cartons, including milk packs, are collected. Previously, the pulp collected from these cartons has been used as raw material for recycled paper. However, the polyethylene films laminated on the exterior of these cartons were not recyclable and were only used for thermal recovery due to their water resistance, form stability, and durability. The primary challenge with recycling stemmed from the quality issues arising from residues of pulp that remained on the polyethylene film after pulp recovery.

Out of the 88,000 tons of paper carton products collected annually, about 17,000 tons consist of polyethylene film. Refineverse saw potential in turning this difficulty into an opportunity by separating the pulp from the polyethylene and developing a purification technology to enhance the purity of the polyethylene film.

By leveraging its existing separation and purification techniques, the company has successfully developed a new technology that enables the extraction of pulp residues from polyethylene films. This process has resulted in a recycled material with over 98% purity for polyethylene films. The company aims to continue technical improvements aimed at achieving a target purity of 99.9% in the future.

The newly developed technology is set to be implemented in the upcoming Refineverse Gamagori Factory's recycling process, which is expected to commence operations in June this year, establishing a mass production system.

The recycled polyethylene produced through this innovative technology can be used for various applications, serving both as a raw material for material recycling and as a feedstock for chemical recycling. This versatility is expected to drive the acceleration of circular resource flow across various industrial sectors, enhancing the overall recycling process for waste plastics.

Future Prospects

Looking forward, the company plans to apply and refine this technology to address other paper pack products beyond milk cartons, as well as to tackle previously unrecyclable waste such as aluminum laminated films and the stripping of paint from automotive bumpers. Through these initiatives, Refineverse aims to extract new urban oil fields and bolster the circular supply chain.

About Refineverse Group

With a vision of connecting wealth for the future through unique perspectives and technologies, Refineverse Group has been committed to the principles of the circular economy for over 20 years. The company has led various recycling and development initiatives for diverse materials, including recovering carpet tiles predestined for disposal to transform them into the recycled material known as “Refine Powder.” This pioneering work has established a horizontal recycling model in an industry that faced challenges in achieving such cycles.

Additionally, the group has developed high-quality recycled nylon pellets from discarded fishing nets and automotive airbags, branded as “REAMIDE.” They are also advancing innovative bio-materials such as “ReFEZER,” derived from bird feathers, the asphalt modifier “REOCA” made from recycled automotive interior materials, and “RENAMY,” a recycled rubber material. These efforts reflect Refineverse's commitment to creating new value from waste materials and facilitating the establishment of a circular society via business initiatives.