A2-02 Research on development and demonstration of matching tool for recycled plastics

Principal Investigator

ARAI Rie (Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc)

Research and Development Overview

For the expansion of the recycled plastics market, it is essential not only to have the matching function between supply and demand, but also for businesses at each stage of the use and supply of recycled plastic and the collection of plastic waste as raw material to accumulate data and know-how for expanding the quantity and improving the quality of recycled plastics, and to utilize this as shared knowledge.

With the matching application of recycled plastics as the core, this research aims to expand the use of recycled plastics in the society and to realize circulation of plastics quickly, by creating the platform for sharing data and know-how about the use of recycled plastics in cooperation with various businesses.

The following five research projects are carried out for the above-mentioned purposes.

1. Development of Matching Applications for Recycled Plastics
   Developing a matching application based on the information that recycled plastic suppliers have and that recycled plastic users need. Conducing a demonstration of trial use of recycled plastic by utilizing the application, and improving the application based on the results.
2. Study of Connection to Traceability Tools for Recycled Plastics
   As a measure to ensure traceability necessary to improve the reliability of recycled plastic, a connection with information sharing platforms for plastics and other traceability tools is studied. Based on the results of the study, an interface for connecting to each tool is implemented in the matching application.
3. Research on Matching of Plastic Waste for Increasing the Collection of Plastic Waste
   Investigate the information necessary for recyclers, equivalent to recycled plastic suppliers, to procure plastic waste, which is a raw material resource, and the information that plastic waste provider and disposal contractor can grasp and provide, and consider the necessary information items and forms for matching both parties. Based on this consideration, explore and verify the possibilities of app development.
4. Creating Circular Design Guidance
   Creating circular design guidance for plastic product manufacturers by consolidating the knowledge gained through 1～3.
5. Decentralized Mechanism Design for a Circular Economy
   A grand theory for sustainability is presented by developing an auction method to match supply and demand of recycled plastics and proposing an institutional design to make the circular economy work effectively.

Progress and Achievements

1. Development of Matching Applications for Recycled Plastics
   • After developing and modifying a simple matching application for recycled plastics, a full-scale verification experiment using a matching application for recycled plastics has begun in October 2024. As of the end of FY2024, a total of 25 recycled plastic suppliers and users have participated in the verification experiment, which is continuing.
   • An “Application Usage Status Questionnaire" was administered to participating businesses. With the aim of increasing the possibility of matching, measures required for the apps in question were extracted, and a response policy for their implementation is currently under consideration.
2. Study of Connection to Traceability Tools for Recycled Plastics
   • Conducted discussions on the progress of each research with the operators responsible for R&D projects A1-01: Development of PLA-NETJ and A2-01: Requirements Definition and Rule Formation for PLA-NETJ. Plans to continue to conduct the discussions in order to lead to specific connection studies.
   • Involved in the study of the definition of data format requirements in the “PLA-NETJ Guideline 0th Draft” released in January 2025. Provided data items used in 1., and reconciled them with the data items in A1-01 and A2-01.
3. Research on Matching of Plastic Waste for Increasing the Collection of Plastic Waste
   • Conducted a field survey of plastic waste disposal contractor to explore the possibility of matching plastic waste disposal contractor and recyclers which are equivalent to recycled plastic suppliers to increase the amount of plastic waste collected.
   • Based on the results of the survey, the policy was changed to examine the possibility of matching with plastic waste provider and recyclers. Discussions are currently underway regarding specific methods for matching plastic waste provided by companies.
4. Decentralized Mechanism Design for a Circular Economy
   • Collected information on auction theory, economics related to recycling, and other non-economic areas (e.g., LCA), as well as published an “Economic Philosophy of Sustainability (Iwanami Shinsho)”.
   • From FY2025 onward, plan to begin design and development of an auction system that will contribute to the establishment of a circular economy system.