Mitsubishi Chemical | Successfully developed cosmetic container technology for separating plastics by material

Baoli Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, represented by President Shigeyuki Katagiri) is responsible for the research and production of Baoli Omis Group and has successfully developed a container technology for separating different plastic materials. This technology uses a water-soluble special material (Nichigo G-Polymer) manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (headquarters: Chiyoda ku, Tokyo, Japan, represented by President: Chikushimoto)^TM）As an intermediate layer, simply immerse the waste container in water and stir to separate different materials (Figure 1). This breakthrough technology enables the recycling and reuse of high-quality recycled materials, making it possible to recycle laminated structure containers that were previously difficult to recycle.

Figure 1. Developed "water separation type" container

　　to achieveStriving for sustainable cosmetic containers

Polaroid Holdings Group is committed to achieving 100% sustainable design (4R *) of plastic containers and packaging materials for cosmetics by 2029, reducing plastic usage and promoting recycling.

　*Reduce/Reuse/Replace/Recycle

In addition to protecting the contents from UV and oxygen, cosmetic containers also need to consider convenience of use and aesthetic design. Therefore, multi-layer plastic composite structures are usually used according to the type of container. However, due to the tight adhesion between different materials, it becomes difficult to separate them by material, resulting in the challenge of high-quality material recycling.

　　Container design based on separation as a prerequisite

　　Using a water-soluble intermediate layer to achieve separation of different materials

For this project, Baoli Chemical Industry uses a special material (Nichigo G-Polymer) that is soluble in water^TMA material separation technology has been developed using ethylene glycol resin as an intermediate layer. By crushing waste containers and cleaning them in water, different materials can be separated (Figure 2). This technology is suitable for multi-layer structured containers and can easily and cost effectively recycle high-quality recycled materials, making a significant contribution to promoting material recycling.

The core of this technology is Nichigo G-Polymer^TMIn addition to being soluble in water, it also has barrier properties against gases and oils, which helps maintain the quality of the contents. This material is also an environmentally friendly material with biodegradability, which helps to achieve sustainable container design. The application of this material to cosmetic containers in Japan is the first attempt.

Figure 2. Research and Development Technology Concept

　　Expansion of application scope and innovation in recycling

　　Using "separable" as the standard

This technology has been implemented on hose containers that are considered difficult to recycle, and its application scope is not limited to hose containers. It is also expected to be utilized in a wider range of fields. Container design based on the premise of separation may become a milestone in promoting the significant evolution of plastic recycling concepts.

Baoli Chemical Industry will be committed to promoting a new recycling solution for separating and recycling waste containers based on their materials on a global scale, helping to achieve innovation in material recycling and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mitsubishi Chemical will contribute to achieving a sustainable society by providing raw materials that contribute to resource recycling.

Nichigo G-Polymer^TMCharacteristics of

Nichigo G-Polymer^TMIt is a butanediol vinyl alcohol copolymer resin (BVOH) that combines gas barrier properties, extrusion molding properties, water solubility, ductility, and biodegradability. As shown in Figure 3, ethylene ethanol copolymer resin is widely used as a barrier material for food packaging materials（EVOH）Compared to others, it exhibits better barrier performance in low humidity environments. In gas barrier packaging, it can prevent the infiltration of oxygen from the air, thereby inhibiting the oxidation of the contents. When injecting inert gas into the packaging, it can prevent the escape of inert gas, which helps to extend the shelf life and reduce food loss. At present, with Europe as the center, the application scope of this material as a barrier material in dry food packaging and other fields is constantly expanding.

图3. Nichigo G-Polymer^TMGas barrier properties

　　Nichigo G-Polymer^TMwater-soluble

　　Recycling and utilization of packaging materials

Using Nichigo G-Polymer^TMAs an intermediate gas barrier layer in multi-layer packaging materials, it can achieve packaging design that utilizes its water solubility for material recycling.

Yes, Nichigo G-Polymer was used^TMMulti layer packaging as an intermediate layer is crushed and washed to make Nichigo G-Polymer^TMDissolve in water to separate the layers of multi-layer packaging. After verification by Mitsubishi Chemical, the separated and dried plastic film was successfully extruded and granulated to obtainPurity 95%The above recycled pellets.

Figure 4. Utilizing Nichigo G-Polymer^TM
A New Material Recycling Scheme for Water Soluble Properties

　　Multiple different materials

　　Separation and recycling scheme for composite packaging

In order to achieve functionality, multi-layer packaging materials composed of different materials such as nylon and aluminum foil are widely used, but the recycling of these packaging materials is a challenge. However, even for these multi-layer packaging, Nichigo G-Polymer^TMAs an intermediate layer, after being crushed and washed with water, each layer can also be peeled off. At the same time, the difference in specific gravity of the stripped resin can be used to sort different resins.

Mitsubishi Chemical has confirmed the use of Nichigo G-Polymer in multi-layer packaging composed of polyethylene (PE) and nylon (Ny)^TMAs an intermediate layer, PE and Ny resins can be recovered with high purity.

Figure 5. Specific gravity separation experiment of multilayer materials using different resins