【komham Co., Ltd.】A first for a music festival in Japan! Successful decomposition and recycling of biodegradable biomass plastic containers at ARABAKI ROCK FEST.25
komham Co., Ltd. Press release: October 15, 2025 To Members of the Press A first for a music festival in Japan! Biodegradable biomass plastic containers successfully decomposed and recycled at ARABAKI ROCK FEST.25. A decomposition rate of approximately 93% was achieved in a demonstration experiment using “Smart Compost(R).” Going forward, we will strengthen collaboration to build a large-scale operational system. komham Co., Ltd. (Head office: Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo; Branch office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Nishiyama Suno) collaborated with Kosoku Co., Ltd. (Head office: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture), GIP Co., Ltd. (Head office: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture), and Rispack Co., Ltd. (Head office: Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture) to conduct a demonstration experiment at ARABAKI ROCK FEST.25, held in April 2025, to decompose and compost biodegradable biomass plastic (PLA) containers on-site. In this demonstration experiment, we utilized “Smart Compost®,” a solar-powered food waste processor that uses proprietary microorganisms, achieving a high decomposition rate of approximately 93%. This demonstrated the feasibility of a new resource recycling model that simultaneously processes food waste and PLA containers generated at event venues. Background Koshi Co., Ltd. is promoting resource recycling of used plastics to realize a circular economy. As part of this effort, we provided and collected biodegradable biomass plastic (PLA) containers at ARABAKI ROCK FEST.25, one of the largest music festivals in the Tohoku region, held in Miyagi Prefecture in April 2025. At this event, we conducted a demonstration experiment using our food waste disposal machine, “Smart Compost®,” to compost collected PLA containers and leftover food from the event venue on-site. The goal was to build a new resource circulation model that completely processes waste at the event site. About the Demonstration Experiment “Smart Compost(R)” is a stand-alone food waste disposal unit that runs automatically on solar power without requiring AC power or wastewater treatment. It provides an environment where “ComHam,” a group of microorganisms that excel at high-speed food waste disposal, can thrive stably. *1: Patent information: “Microorganisms, compositions for use in decomposing food waste, and food waste processing method (Patent 7300079)” This demonstration experiment was the first to use “Smart Compost®” to compost not only food waste but also PLA containers. While PLA is an environmentally friendly bioplastic, it takes time to decompose in the natural environment, which is why there is a need to establish a practical decomposition method. Therefore, we installed two “Smart Compost®” units at the ARABAKI ROCK FEST.25 venue and mixed food waste and PLA containers into them during and after the event. We analyzed the progress of decomposition and the components of the resulting compost to verify the potential for resource recycling.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/69421/26/69421-26-703aa3743e1ac478e047494598d42c1b-2025×1519.jpg Food waste and PLA cups placed inside
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/69421/26/69421-26-9539aa7f689ab8aa254ef4725f0ed3eb-3282×2461.jpg Compost after decomposition
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/69421/26/69421-26-cbc9bff17f72e43c4d47a3673260ca56-161×215.jpg Cherry tomatoes grown with experimental compost Future prospects This demonstration experiment demonstrated the feasibility of decomposing and recycling food waste, including biodegradable biomass plastic containers, at the event venue. While this experiment only processed a portion of the generated food waste and biodegradable biomass plastic containers, we plan to utilize Smart Compost® in the future to create opportunities for visitors to experience environmental conservation firsthand. We also aim to build a more extensive processing system, considering collaboration with large-scale processing facilities such as composting facilities. Through collaboration with related companies, we will further promote the reduction of environmental impact and contribute to sustainable event management. Contact us Event organizers, local governments, and companies interested in this initiative are welcome to contact us at the address below. Contact information komham Co., Ltd. • Email：hi@komham.jp • Contact form: Contact
Kousoku Co., Ltd. Kokosoku Co., Ltd. is a leading packaging materials wholesaler, providing support for everything from product planning to delivery, including trays, film, and other packaging. We handle packaging materials such as trays and film used to wrap everyday food, and work as packaging experts that support food distribution and enhance the deliciousness of food. • Company name: Kosoku Co., Ltd. • Head Office: 20-4 Ogimachi 7-chome, Miyagino-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture • Number of offices: 54 in Japan • Representative: Representative Director, President and Executive Officer Hiroki Kei • Established: February 12, 1966 • Official website:
https://www.kohsoku.com GIP Co., Ltd. GIP Co., Ltd. (GIP) is a company headquartered in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. Founded on July 29, 1981, our primary business activities are: Concert Production: Planning, producing, and managing artist concerts. Advertising Agency: Planning, producing, and managing advertising. Event Planning and Production: Planning and producing sporting events, radio and television programs, commercials, videos, etc. GIP is also involved in planning and running events such as “ARABAKI ROCK FEST.” and “SENDAI Pageant of Starlight.” • Head Office: 6-15 Kasuga-cho, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture • Representative: Representative Director Toshihiko Sato • Established: July 29, 1981 • Official website: https://www.gip-web.co.jp/ Rispack Co., Ltd. We are a plastic food container manufacturer aiming to create a rich and enjoyable eating experience. Since 2005, we have been working to create products using biomass plastics in order to sustainably update food containers, which are essential for food distribution and quality preservation. We are a leading biomass plastic company, with approximately 65% of our sales coming from biomass plastic products. • Head Office: 9-27 Kanda-cho, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture • Representative: Representative Director Eita Omatsu • Established: November 4, 1975 • Official website:
https://www.risupack.co.jp/ komham Co., Ltd. komham Co., Ltd.’s mission is to “improve living environments with microorganisms.” We are researching “comham,” a group of microorganisms capable of rapidly decomposing food waste, and developing a biomass recycling system using these microorganisms. In 2024, we obtained a patent (*2) for a new microorganism that can decompose biodegradable plastics in a short period of time. Using our research results, we are actively promoting the development of new services and products, aiming to create infrastructure that will enable everyone to live an environmentally friendly life without even thinking about it. *2: Patent information: “Microorganisms, composition for use in decomposing biodegradable plastics, and method for treating biodegradable plastics (Patent 7539103)” • Head Office: 1-10-211 Shimonoporo Techno Park,
Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo • Branch: Daikanyama TOKO, 3F B, Daikanyama Art Village, 17-10 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo • Representative: Representative Director, Suno Nishiyama • Established: January 29, 2020 • Official website: https://komham.jp Details about this release