Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masayuki Waga) today announced that straws using MCC’s BioPBSTM plant-derived and biodegradable plastic will be adopted at facilities operated by Keikyu Corporation (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazuyuki Hara) and its group companies (known collectively, as the Keikyu Group) starting on April 1. This marks the first adoption in Japan of straws made with BioPBS™ for practical use.
MCC developed BioPBS™ and holds its basic patents. BioPBS™ is manufactured by PTT MCC Biochem Company Limited (Head office: Bangkok, Thailand; President: Ryuichiro Sugimoto), a 50-50 joint venture between MCC and PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited. This is an environmentally friendly plastic, which is broken down by living microorganisms in soil and decomposes into water and carbon dioxide.
Keikyu Corporation concluded a partnership with Kanagawa Prefecture to promote the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). All Keikyu Group companies that have offices in the prefecture agreed on the goal “Toward zero plastic waste Kanagawa” promoted by Kanagawa Prefecture, and proactively engage in activities such as reduction of plastic waste by distributing eco bags. The group will forge ahead to further reduce plastic waste by replacing about 160,000 straws annually used at 68 Keikyu Group-operated facilities of 13 companies such as restaurants, department stores, supermarkets, and hotels with ones using BioPBS™.
Moving toward the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group’s vision, “Realizing KAITEKI*,” MCC continues to accelerate research and development and expand applications of plant-derived biodegradable plastics including BioPBS™ to help establish a recycling-oriented society and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
*KAITEKI means “the sustainable well-being of people, society and our planet Earth.” It is an original concept of the Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group that proposes a way forward in the sustainable development of society and the planet, in addition to serving as a guide for solving environmental and social issues.