On January 12, 2023, Sojitz Pla-Net Corporation (Head Office: Tokyo; President: Kenichi Ariga), Asahi Group Japan, Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; President: Kenji Hamada), and Nippon Closures Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; President: Motoaki Kiri) will begin joint proof of concept verification for a Cap to Cap*¹ initiative which aims to realize horizontal recycling of PET bottle caps. Leveraging the strengths of each participating partner, the consortium will work towards providing solutions to address social issues such as plastic resource recycling.

Asahi Group companies will participate including Asahi Soft Drinks Co., Ltd. and Asahi You.Us, Ltd.

Horizontal recycling is being promoted in the beverage industry, and Japan’s current collection rate for plastic PET bottles has reached 94%.*² However, less information is available regarding the current state of plastic cap recycling. Gaining a clear picture of plastic cap collection and recycling practices and establishing new methods are important tasks for the industry moving forward.

This new consortium will build a scheme for cap collection, conduct proof of concept verification, and establish quality standards in order to evaluate business feasibility. If horizontal recycling for plastic bottle caps can be successfully commercialized, “Cap to cap” will mark the first initiative*³ of its kind to be achieved by the beverage industry in Japan. Asahi Soft Drinks is looking into using the new plastic bottle caps produced for its beverages.

[Role of Each Consortium Company]
■Sojitz Pla-Net Corporation
A specialized trading company for plastics, Sojitz Pla-Net Corporation gathers information on the latest global recycling technology to then establish optimal recycling technology and equipment in Japan.

■Asahi Group Japan, Ltd.
Asahi Group Japan will leverage the strengths of group companies in the beverage industry specializing in sustainability that operate under the Asahi Group umbrella. Asahi Soft Drinks will establish the quality standards for the bottle caps to be used in its products. Asahi You.Us will primarily work on building the cap collection scheme.

■Nippon Closures Co., Ltd.
As a bottle cap manufacturer, Nippon Closures will evaluate the cap moldings that utilize recycled plastics.

Sojitz Group will leverage its established global customer networks, sales and procurement networks, and the strengths of its existing business to create new environmental businesses for realizing a decarbonized and recycling-based society that will contribute to the realization of a sustainable world.

Asahi Group aims to integrate sustainability into its management policies by establishing a global framework for advancing its sustainability initiatives and establishing sustainability goals in order to promote sustainability throughout the entire group. Asahi Group has established “Cheer the Future” as a promise to bring energy to building a valuable future through sustainability.

Nippon Closures aims to realize a world in which all people across generations can live authentically. Nippon Closures strives to help people lead better lives physically, mentally, and socially by proactively working to provide solutions for society’s challenges.

*1: Used plastic bottle caps are recycled to produce similar plastic cap products
*2: Source: The Council for PET Bottle Recycling
*3: Sojitz Pla-Net Corporation study

[For questions, contact:]
Sojitz Pla-Net Corporation Environment Sustainable Business Office　+81－3－6871－5901