Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) has developed and offers the 'DNP Plant-Based Packaging Biomatech' *1 to reduce the use of petroleum resources by substituting petroleum-derived materials with plant-derived materials (biomass). This time, they have developed a package using a Polyethylene (PE) film with 50% biomass content by weight, and it will be available starting on October 9, 2024.

Until now, the use of environmentally friendly materials and the reduction of plastics have been challenges due to the decrease in product performance and productivity. The product developed this time addresses the challenge of reducing CO₂ emissions in packaging for chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, and consumer goods manufacturers who handle liquids and powders. It maintains easy opening, content protection, antistatic properties, and other functions without compromising environmental impact reduction.

Packaging with 50% biomass content

CO₂ reduction image throughout the product lifecycle

[Background of Development]

In recent years, there has been a need for various packaging materials to replace film materials derived from petroleum with plant-derived renewable resources to achieve a decarbonized society. In April 2021, the Japanese government enacted the 'Plastic Resource Circulation Promotion Act,' promoting the reduction of plastic usage, recycling, and the switch to recycled materials and renewable resources throughout the supply chain from product design to waste disposal. Various industries are working on reducing petroleum usage and waste generation, requiring environmentally friendly packaging to protect the contents similar to traditional packaging.

To meet these needs, DNP has developed a new product of PE film with a 50% biomass content, as part of the lineup of the "DNP plant-derived packaging Biomatec" that has been provided since 2011.

【Features of "DNP Plant-Derived Packaging Biomatec PE Film (50% Biomass Content)】

• Since the renewable plant-derived biomass absorbs CO2 from the air during the plant growth process, it can be considered to reduce CO2 emissions throughout the lifecycle of packages using these materials compared to petroleum-derived materials. This time, by developing and providing packages of PE film with a 50% biomass content, DNP will contribute to reducing environmental impact.
• Switching from conventional packaging using petroleum-derived materials to this product can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 15% over the entire lifecycle of the product (according to our company's research).
• By leveraging DNP's film formation technology, this product maintains the ease of opening of conventional PE films and impact resistance for use with liquids and powders while increasing the biomass content to 50%.
• By also providing antistatic function, it reduces defects caused by static electricity generation when filling powder contents, contributing to preventing reduced productivity for chemical, pharmaceutical, food, and consumer goods manufacturers handling powders.

Future developments

DNP will provide this product to food and consumer goods manufacturers and various other industries aiming to reduce environmental impact, including chemical, industrial materials, and drug manufacturers. Furthermore, it will further expand the lineup of "DNP plant-derived packaging Biomatec" to contribute to reducing corporate environmental impact.

DNP will exhibit this product at the DNP booth (East Hall Booth No. 1U09) at Tokyo Big Sight East Hall from October 23 (Wednesday) to 25, 2024 during the Tokyo International Packaging Exhibition 2024.

*1 Details of DNP's plant-derived packaging material Biomatec →

*2 DNP's exhibition overview for TOKYOPACK 2024 →

*For inquiries about this product →

* The company and product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

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