Sotas Co., Ltd.
Published a joint research paper with Kyushu University Carbon Neutral Energy International Research Institute
Towards economically efficient carbon reduction: Greening the plastic supply chain, using biomaterials and recycled materials in the right places, and recycling plastics more effectively
……
Sotas Co., Ltd. (located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, President and Representative Director: Hiroki Yoshimoto, hereinafter referred to as the “Company”), whose purpose is “to help the Earth live longer,” has recently announced that it has announced that the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research at Kyushu University (I²CNER) We would like to inform you that a joint research paper has been published with Eisner.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/107222/17/resize/d107222-17-9be1353aa69153c17a0f-2.png&s3=107222-17-140e80d857771f977fa3d9ecaf73ea6b-1280×670.png ]
Associate Professor Andrew Chapman of Kyushu University (I2CNER: International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy) and Sotas Corporation are collaborating on research to green the Japanese chemical supply chain as a competitive alternative to existing carbon reduction policies. We made a proposal.
In this study, we investigated the carbon reduction costs of shifting to recycled plastics and bioplastics using multiple criteria such as cost/carbon reduction potential, quality, and recyclability. The results revealed that the needs and perceptions of manufacturers and consumers regarding quality are important, and that different results can be obtained depending on the weighting of evaluation criteria. In Japan, more than 70% of collected plastic is thermally recycled, and much of it comes from over-packaging of products. Given this current situation, there is room to reduce the ever-increasing source of carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, we have found that some consumers are willing to pay a premium for products with higher environmental benefits, and careful policy review will help plastics manufacturers meet consumer needs while ensuring that plastic manufacturers are This suggests that it will be possible to contribute to the achievement of national goals, including neutrality.
The results of this research were published in the international journal “Sustainability” on September 4, 2023.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/107222/17/resize/d107222-17-8e29d762798e180e5a54-3.jpg&s3=107222-17-e99a7ebfe5fbb09ded85064b827f6be0-1306×871.jpg] Joint research conducted at Sotas Co., Ltd. headquarters
A word from the researcher:
Andrew Chapman…Questions the current state of plastic recycling in Japan and why recycled materials and biomaterials have not been utilized compared to virgin materials, clarifies the barriers, and develops alternatives to virgin materials. This research began with the question of whether it would be possible to develop a selection decision tool using the Sotas system. We plan to conduct further research in the future and expand the scope of practical use. Research background and history
Currently, 70% of plastic recycling in Japan is thermal recycling (heat recovery). Recognizing that the use of recycled materials and biomaterials is the key, we will combine the Chapman Laboratory’s specialized field of research on quantifying social equity in energy systems with Sotas Corporation’s Sotas system. This research aims to accelerate plastic recycling and decarbonization by transforming the entire supply chain and promoting the realization of a resource recycling society starting from small and medium-sized enterprises. When considering the sustainability of the plastics industry, we both agreed that major changes were needed, which led to this joint project.
Research content and results
Utilizing existing inventory data held by Sotas Corporation in the chemical industry, the project aims to clarify the relationship between profitability and carbon neutrality, conducts comparative research on ETS (emissions trading) and subsidies, and We developed a replacement product selection decision tool.
the next deployment
By further utilizing the recently developed tools and data for selecting alternatives to virgin materials, we will enable
traceability of biomaterials and recycled materials, achieve carbon neutrality, and recycle plastics in Japan, which currently relies on thermal recycling. We want to make it more sustainable and effective. Reference diagram
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/107222/17/resize/d107222-17-438e0d7abdfa6f7bbb27-1.png&s3=107222-17-5487846d8a198a44120d5ad5c3ba2039-485×386.png ]
Figure 1. Multi-criteria evaluation of virgin plastics, recycled plastics, and bioplastics considering cost, CO2 emissions, quality, and recyclability
[Term explanation]
(*1) LCIA: Evaluating the significance of potential environmental impacts using the results of life cycle inventory analysis.
[Acknowledgment]
This research was supported by Sotas Corporation.
[Paper information]
Magazine: Sustainability
Title: Toward Economically Efficient Carbon Reduction: Contrasting Greening Plastic Supply Chains with Alternative Energy Policy Approaches DOI: 10.3390/su151713229
About Sotas Co., Ltd.
Company name: Sotas Co., Ltd.
Representative: Representative Director and President Hiroki Yoshimoto Address: KBIC Main Building 236, 7-7 Shin-Kawasaki, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Established: March 2022
Business overview: Development and provision of chemical industry specialized production/inventory management/ordering system “Sotas Process Management” and chemical industry database “Sotas Database” URL: https://sotas.co.jp/
More details about this release:
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000017.000107222.html