News Release

HighChem Company Limited (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Ushio Taka, hereinafter referred to as "HighChem”)  will be showcasing at the 9th High-Function Plastics Expo from December 2nd (Wednesday) to 4th (Friday). Located in the 'Bioplastics Zone,' HighChem will introduce biodegradable materials manufactured in China. Additionally, during a PR seminar at the expo, HighChem will present insights into the current state of biodegradable materials in China and Japan, derived from its business activities. This presentation will provide valuable information on the advancements and trends in this rapidly evolving market.

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HighChem wants to become a Total Solutions company for Biodegradable Materials and solve the world's ocean plastic problem. Currently, we are taking an early lead in the rapidly developing biodegradable market in China, and have begun introducing products such as PLA (polylactic acid, hereinafter PLA) and PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate, hereinafter PBAT) to the Japanese market. In PLA, we have concluded a business strategic partnership agreement with BBCA group, a major Chinese food additive manufacturer, and introduced PLA manufactured by Anhui Fengyuan Futairaiju Lactic Acid Co., Ltd., an affiliated company of BBCA group, to the Japanese market. We also propose compound and custom-made products that combine PBAT, which is often used in film applications, and multiple Biodegradable Materials.

As a Bridge between Japan and China, based on the experience and trust we have cultivated over the years, we will become a rapidly growing Total Solutions company for Biodegradable Materials and solve the world's ocean plastic problem.

[Duration] Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 - Friday, December 4th, 2020 10:00-18:00 (Ends at 17:00 on the 4th only)
[Venue] Makuhari Messe
[Exhibition location] Bioplastic zone
[Sponsor] Reed Exhibitions Japan Co., Ltd.
[Exhibition contents]
・PLA (manufactured by Anhui Fengyuan Futairaiju Lactic Acid Co., Ltd., China)
・PBAT
・General Biodegradable Materials in China
・Compound that combine multiple Biodegradable Materials, custom-made proposals, etc.

◎Seminar
Date and time: December 4th (Friday) 13:40-14:40
Title: “Current status of Biodegradable Materials in world-leading Japan and China”
Introduction to the current state of Biodegradable Materials obtained through HighChem's activities and the products we handle.
Speaker: Biodegradable Materials Project Leader Yuichi Taka

[Regarding requests for interviews from news organizations]
We also accept requests for interviews with our company from media outlets during the exhibition period.
If you would like to be interviewed, please register below.

■Interview request registration form
https://forms.gle/saizTk2MXtbRKGhX8

1. The market size of Biodegradable Materials in China is predicted to expand to approximately 1.3 trillion yen by 2030!
In January 2020, the Chinese government announced enhanced measures to combat plastic pollution, leading to a rapid deployment of new regulations across various provinces and cities, including Hebei and Hainan. These regulations target disposable plastic products such as food containers, vinyl bags, non-degradable straws, catering plastics, packaging materials used in mailing, and plastic containers used in hotels. With a nationwide ban set to take effect by the end of 2022, these items are required to be replaced with biodegradable materials. This shift is expected to increase the demand for biodegradable materials by nearly forty times the current volume, significantly impacting the market and accelerating the transition towards sustainable alternatives.

Additionally, according to a Chinese securities company, demand will reach 4.28 million tons by 2030 due to increased production capacity through the construction of new plants, and the market size will reach 85.5 billion yuan (approximately 1.3 trillion yen). There are the predictions.

2. PLA and PBAT will greatly increase production capacity in China
PLA and PBAT are Biodegradable Materials that can replace conventional plastics due to their excellent mechanical properties and price competitiveness, and their production capacity has been greatly increased in China in recent years.

PLA (polylactic acid)
It is a resin manufactured from biomass such as corn, and has the characteristic that even if it is incinerated, it does not raise CO2 temperature due to the carbon neutrality of biomass. It also has excellent biocompatibility, gloss, and transparency, making it suitable for use not only in films but also in textiles.

HighChem has entered into a business partnership with China's BBCA group, which started operating a 50,000 ton/year plant in August 2020, and has begun marketing activities in Japan. BBCA group plans to increase its production capacity to 1 million tons/year by 2025.

PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate)
PBAT has excellent degradability and is particularly biodegradable under compost. It also has properties similar to polyethylene, making it extremely flexible and strong among biodegradable plastic. It is used for various packaging materials, agricultural mulch sheets, land and construction materials, etc.

As China allocates vast funds towards biodegradable materials, production capacity for these materials' raw ingredients has surged. However, technical challenges remain in mainstreaming these materials. Beyond just producing raw materials in large quantities, it is crucial to refine their colors and shapes to seamlessly integrate into daily life without any oddities— a realm where craftsmanship transcends basic process flows, involving nuanced recipes of mixing, pressing, and molding. This is where Japanese expertise particularly shines.

HighChem is confident that Japanese material technology will be pivotal in addressing the global marine debris and microplastic crisis. Positioned as a key intermediary between emerging Chinese suppliers of biodegradable raw materials and sophisticated Japanese technologies, HighChem aspires to become a total solution provider for biodegradable materials, tackling environmental and microplastic issues on a global scale.      

For further inquiries, please contact:
HighChem Co., Ltd.　Public Relations
Contact: Ms. Kuroiwa (090-6539-4213)   TEL: 03-5251-8580    E-mail: koho@highchem.co.jp