On July 17, Jiji Press reported a rising trend in the production of garbage bags made from biomass plastics-derived from renewable resources like plants-as a response to naphtha supply disruptions caused by conflicts in the Middle East. This "naphtha shock" has exposed the risks inherent in relying on Middle Eastern crude oil for the raw materials used in a wide range of daily necessities and industrial products. Expanding the use of non-fossil-based raw materials to reduce dependence on Middle Eastern crude oil and petroleum-derived materials has become an urgent priority.
"Inquiries have increased three- to five-fold since the Middle East conflict began," said Shinji Okuda, COO of Rice Resin (based in Namie Town, Fukushima Prefecture), a company that produces and sells bioplastics derived from domestic rice. He expressed surprise at the shift in the business landscape. The company produces 500 tons of bioplastic annually, with up to 70% of the raw material consisting of government-stockpiled aged rice and other rice unsuitable for human consumption. They wholesale these products to local governments and retailers for use as garbage bags and shopping bags.
The city of Fukagawa in Hokkaido is considering a trial run of Rice Resin's garbage bags. The move was prompted by the fact that no bids were submitted for the city's garbage bag tender in April. After suppliers stated they could not guarantee raw material supplies, the city decided to abandon polyethylene in favor of alternative materials. They anticipate introducing the new material as early as November.
Since mid-June, the major convenience store chain FamilyMart has been gradually increasing the proportion of sugarcane-derived biomass material in its shopping bags from 25% to 50%. In addition to securing a stable supply of raw materials, this initiative is expected to reduce petroleum-based plastic consumption by approximately 1,100 tons annually.
The biggest obstacle to the widespread adoption of bioplastics is their higher cost compared to petroleum-based products. However, the rise in naphtha prices caused by the Middle East conflict has narrowed this price gap; previously, the cost of Rice Resin was nearly double that of naphtha-based alternatives. Mr. Okuda is optimistic about this, stating, "From the perspective of risk diversification, it holds immense potential as a future option."
He also highlighted the advantages of using domestically produced raw materials, noting, "With rice consumption declining year by year, this also helps support the agricultural sector." An official from Fukagawa City remarked, "As one of Hokkaido's major rice-producing regions, we hope to leverage our area's unique strengths by incorporating rice into the packaging."
In the new growth strategy to be formulated this month, the municipal government will designate "synthetic biology and biotechnology" as one of 17 strategic sectors. The plan aims to promote the use of domestic biomass to reduce reliance on specific countries and regions for materials and energy. Conflicts in the Middle East could further accelerate the adoption of bioplastics.
