Sustainability Sheet
Acrylic's Surprising Recycling Potential Actually, it can be reborn over and over again - The Cyclical Nature of Acrylic Resin
Acrylic resin (PMMA) is a highly recyclable material with excellent properties such as transparency and Weatherability.
Kuraray takes advantage of this characteristic to promote material recycling.
There are two major methods of acrylic recycling.
Types of Acrylic Recycling: Pros and Cons
Material recycling: Shred scrap material and waste materials and reuse them as sheets and pellets.
(Pros) Low cost and high CO₂ reduction effect
(Cons) Degradation of physical properties due to thermal history, limited applications
Chemical recycling: Repolymerization back to monomer
(Pros) Reproduction of quality close to that of virgin material
(Cons) Energy costs are high, investment in technology and equipment is required, and mass production is still an issue.
While Kuraray's main focus is on material recycling, which is both practical and effective, we are also exploring the possibility of chemical recycling.
Scrap Material Becomes "New Board" - COMOGLAS™ RE
COMOGLAS™ RE is an acrylic sheet that reduces CO₂ emissions by 52% (vs. conventional grade) by reusing 50% of the scrap materials generated in the manufacturing process as raw materials.
Recycled Materials Evolve Functionality - PARAFORMING™ MT
PARAFORMING™ MT is a multi-layered acrylic sheet that can be formed into complex shapes and without coating.
By combining yield improvement and waste reduction with the use of recycled raw materials, we are evolving into a next-generation sheet that combines functionality and sustainability.
Keisuke Osako
Sheet Sales Department, Methacrylate Division
The more sheets we make, the more scrap material we produce.
In the face of this reality, we did not want to say, "We have no choice.
If we seriously create a system to turn waste wood back into resources again, manufacturing will change.
This desire has given shape to COMOGLAS™ RE .
Reducing waste is not the goal, but the starting point for creating the next cycle.
The Future Recycling Commercial Network with a 60% Share of the Domestic Market
Kuraray is currently moving forward with zero in-process waste (PIR), and the next stage is the recovery of used products from customers (PCR).
Kuraray Trading's strengths in this area are its commercial distribution network and its overwhelming presence in the domestic acrylic market, which accounts for approximately 60% of the market.
With Kuraray's unique market position, we are able to build a recycling commercial network that involves the entire supply chain.
Wide Variety of Recycled Products x Kuraray's Technical Support
Kuraray's line of recycled products is not limited to one approach.
COMOGLAS™ RE: From scrap material to New Boards
PARAFORMING™ MT: Next-generation sheets made from recycled materials
These diverse products support the story of circulation.
In addition, Kuraray provides a comprehensive range of services, from product property evaluation to molding process support and commercial distribution design, through detailed technical services and a well-developed support system.
In other words, Kuraray is not only a "materials manufacturer" but also a partner that can co-create the recycling system itself, and together with our customers, we are envisioning a sustainable future.
