Mitsui & Co., Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PureCycle Technologies, Inc. to jointly develop a recycled polypropylene resin production project in Japan.

Through this partnership with PureCycle, Mitsui aims to support the Japanese government's goal to increase plastic recycling toward 2030, and enhance supply capability of recycled PP resin. PP is a substance widely used to produce packaging materials and automobile parts but which has proven difficult to recycle and purify due to the use of additives, such as colorants, during the manufacturing process.

Using cutting-edge technology, PureCycle has succeeded in producing Ultra-Pure Recycled Polypropylene (UPRP), a recycled PP material with similar quality as virgin resin, from plastic waste. PureCycle is seeing strong demand from premium brands, like L'Oreal, who are looking to deliver recycled content into premium applications without sacrificing quality.

Mitsui and PureCycle to develop recycled PP production project in Japan.

Hiroshi Kakiuchi, Managing Officer, Chief Operating Officer of Performance Materials Business Unit at Mitsui, said, "By securing plastic waste as the raw material, manufacturing recycled PP resin, and expanding the applications of the material for consumer goods, food containers, and automobile interiors, Mitsui aims to make a meaningful contribution to the creation of the more sustainable society."

Mike Otworth, CEO of PureCycle, stated, "We believe Mitsui is the best partner for PureCycle to help us lead and navigate the process of building an ultra-pure recycled polypropylene plant in Japan. Through the collaboration with Mitsui, we are now one step closer to our goal of reducing plastic waste across the world and revolutionizing the way people use plastic products."

In the US, PureCycle has presold more than 20 years' worth of UPRP output from its upcoming Ohio plant, which has a production capacity of about 50,000 tons per year and will be operational by the end of 2022. The Company has also allocated 40% of capacity in its planned first US cluster facility in Georgia to its existing customers.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PureCycle Technologies, Inc. to jointly develop a recycled polypropylene resin production project in Japan.

Through this partnership with PureCycle, Mitsui aims to support the Japanese government's goal to increase plastic recycling toward 2030, and enhance supply capability of recycled PP resin. PP is a substance widely used to produce packaging materials and automobile parts but which has proven difficult to recycle and purify due to the use of additives, such as colorants, during the manufacturing process.

Using cutting-edge technology, PureCycle has succeeded in producing Ultra-Pure Recycled Polypropylene (UPRP), a recycled PP material with similar quality as virgin resin, from plastic waste. PureCycle is seeing strong demand from premium brands, like L'Oreal, who are looking to deliver recycled content into premium applications without sacrificing quality.

Mitsui and PureCycle to develop recycled PP production project in Japan.

Hiroshi Kakiuchi, Managing Officer, Chief Operating Officer of Performance Materials Business Unit at Mitsui, said, "By securing plastic waste as the raw material, manufacturing recycled PP resin, and expanding the applications of the material for consumer goods, food containers, and automobile interiors, Mitsui aims to make a meaningful contribution to the creation of the more sustainable society."

Mike Otworth, CEO of PureCycle, stated, "We believe Mitsui is the best partner for PureCycle to help us lead and navigate the process of building an ultra-pure recycled polypropylene plant in Japan. Through the collaboration with Mitsui, we are now one step closer to our goal of reducing plastic waste across the world and revolutionizing the way people use plastic products."

In the US, PureCycle has presold more than 20 years' worth of UPRP output from its upcoming Ohio plant, which has a production capacity of about 50,000 tons per year and will be operational by the end of 2022. The Company has also allocated 40% of capacity in its planned first US cluster facility in Georgia to its existing customers.