Furukawa Electric Review No.53Building a Solution to the Plastic Waste Problem With Paper Fibre Reinforcement Technology

Hidekazu Hara

Multilayer films used for food packaging, etc. are not recycled, but are instead incinerated, landfilled, or leaked into the environment causing a plastic waste problem. By applying a unique fibre reinforcement technology using paper (APFU: Advanced Paper Fibre Upcycling) technology developed by our company, we have succeeded in upcycling multilayer films into high-strength plastic materials. Using these materials, our products including ballpoint pens can be injection moulded, bottles can be multilayer blow moulded, and these materials can also be used as a material for 3D printers. The life cycle assessment calculation commissioned by us confirms that greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced incineration. To contribute to the prevention of marine pollution caused by plastic waste and the control of climate change, we are currently conducting demonstration experiments and feasibility studies in collaboration with Japanese and European companies, local governments, and alliance organizations toward the practical application of this APFU technology.