Gunze launches a bio-attributed heat-shrinkable film for labels “Fancywrap™ GB50” to reduce the use of petrochemical materials
News
Gunze launches a bio-attributed heat-shrinkable film for labels “Fancywrap™ GB50” to reduce the use of petrochemical materials -Expanding a styrene-based product that use about 50% of bio-attributed materials with the mass balance approach-
Osaka-Gunze Limited (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan, President: Toshiyasu Saguchi)[TOKYO:3002] is pleased to announce that the company will launch a new bio-attributed heat-shrinkable film “Fancywrap GB50” on February 1, 2022. The product is a styrene-based product that uses about 50% of biological origin raw materials with the mass balance approach. This is one of our efforts to reduce petroleum-derived materials.
1. About product launch
Gunze has established "Promoting a basic policy towards a recycling system for plastics" and evolved a strategy of "Conversion to recycled and bio-attributed raw materials” in December 2019. In recent years, market needs have changed significantly. In addition to quality and cost, which have been important until now, the priority of reducing environmental impact has risen remarkably. In plastic film business, the company is promoting the reduction of environmental impact by focusing on polyolefin-based products, which are low-density materials that can create new value for recycling and bio-attributed products, which reduce petroleum-derived materials usage. The launch of the new product is one of the efforts to reduce petroleum materials usage and GHG emissions.
Circulation image of biomass plastic products
2. Product outline
Product name
Fancywrap™ GB50
Lineup
Thickness 45 micron (Can be used with automatic shrink sleeve label application machines)
Features
Achieving the same shrink appearance as petroleum-derived products as well as reducing environmental impact
Applications
Labels for beverages, groceries, home & personal care products
Launch date
February 1, 2022
Sales plan
Aim to sell 200MT in the first year (FY2022)
3. What is a bio-attributed product with the mass balance approach?
The mass balancing approach is when a raw material with certain features (e.g., bio-attributed raw material) is mixed with a raw material that does not have certain features (e.g., petroleum-derived raw material) during processing and distribution from raw materials to products, it distributes the raw material with specific features to a part of the product according to the input amount of the raw materials with the specific features. The mass balance approach-based products are required a third-party certification to avoid arbitrary decisions by companies.
4. Marketing Strategy
To ensure traceability in reducing environmental impact throughout the supply chain, Gunze is going to obtain a third-party certification by June, 2022. The company will contribute to sustainable society by promoting the reduction of petrochemical materials usage and GHG emissions.
5. About Gunze
Gunze was founded in Kyoto, Japan in 1896, and today operates a diverse business as a leading developer and manufacturer of Plastic Films, Engineering Plastics, Electronic Components, Medical Devices, Apparel, and various other segments. Gunze employs more than 5,800 people worldwide throughout 10 countries. The Plastic Films business, established in 1962, has a substantial footprint over 20 countries. It has three manufacturing facilities in Japan, and subsidiaries in the U.S., China, and Vietnam. Gunze’s mission will continue to be centered on advancing the quality of life by providing innovative products and solutions.
For further information, please contact:
Press
Gunze Limited Corporate Communication Department TEL： 81-6-6348-1314 (Shinji Nonaka)
Customers
Plastic Film Company TEL： 81-6-7731-5800 (Naohito Fukushima)
Information posted here (product information, market launch date, contact, URL, etc.) is as of release date. Posted information is subject to change without notice.
