Revisiting “Resource Plastic” at Our 50th Anniversary

In 2025, Panachemical Co., Ltd. marks its 50th anniversary.

At this important milestone, we would like to take the opportunity to speak once again about another origin of our recycling business: “Resource Plastic.”

The starting point of our recycling activities was expanded polystyrene recycling, known as “J-EPS Recycling.”

By using dedicated processing equipment, we established a system capable of producing high-quality, stable EPS ingots.

From an early stage, this became a recycling model built firmly around the concept of quality.

At the same time, alongside J-EPS Recycling, we have continuously worked on the export of a broader range of used plastics—what we call Resource Plastic.

In many cases, these materials are not processed using specialized machinery, making site-specific management and human judgment at each factory critically important.

Why We Refused to Call It “Waste Plastic”

Nearly 20 years ago, as we traveled throughout China, we repeatedly encountered contaminated waste plastics imported from overseas.

Each time, we felt strongly that a time would inevitably come when quality standards would be demanded.

This led us to create a term that clearly distinguished these materials from simple “waste plastic.”

That term was “Resource Plastic.”

At first, this idea began as an internal initiative—so strict that anyone who referred to it as “waste plastic” inside our company faced a small penalty, introduced with a sense of humor.

Over time, however, like-minded professionals across the industry came together, leading to the establishment of the

Japan Resource Plastic Association.

Our shared motto was simple:

“We do not process waste plastic. We produce Resource Plastic.”

From Field Practice to Institutional Frameworks

Within the Japan Resource Plastic Association, we engaged in continuous dialogue with

the Ministry of the Environment and Japanese Customs, gradually shaping quality standards, export concepts, and operational mechanisms for Resource Plastic.

These efforts were recognized, and we were given the opportunity to participate as members of committees responsible for developing plastic export standards under the Basel Convention.

There, we were able to share our accumulated research and practical experience.

Thanks to the collective efforts of many stakeholders,

a balanced export framework unique to Japan—different from both EU and U.S. systems—was established.

Today, this framework itself is increasingly recognized and evaluated positively overseas.

The Future of Resource Plastic

Looking ahead, export destinations around the world will likely introduce even more diverse and stringent regulations.

For this reason, we believe it is essential to clearly distinguish

Resource Plastic as a Japanese export material with defined quality, rather than treating it as “waste plastic.”

As part of this effort, the Japan Resource Plastic Association has begun

English-language outreach through its website, sharing Japan’s approach internationally.

https://www.shigenpla.com/

By leveraging the field-based knowledge accumulated over 50 years,

along with our experience in building institutional frameworks,

we will continue to communicate Japan’s sustainable, reliable, and well-balanced model for Resource Plastic exports to the world.

Kentaro Inukai

Panachemical Co., Ltd.