Let’s take a look at the latest trends and prospects in the U.S. and Europe as well as the current status of bioplastic utilization in the world.

The social implementation of bioplastics, which contribute to deterring climate change and marine microplastic pollution, is rapidly advancing around the world. In the U.S., a presidential decree has been issued to achieve a target of 90% of all plastics to be bioplastics within 18 years. In Europe, governments and industry associations are taking the lead in the practical application of plastics recycling technology and the use of bioplastics. On the other hand, Japan is dependent on imports for the majority of its bioplastic raw materials, and due to the weak yen and high costs, the country’s bioplastics have not been implemented in society and have become a Galapagosized product. This presentation will provide an overview of the latest bioplastic diffusion in the United States, Europe, China, India, and other countries with numerous images and data, and will attempt to provide some suggestions for the future outlook.

In addition, the use of tree- and plant-derived resins instead of petroleum-derived plastics is spreading rapidly as a countermeasure against global warming, as is the development of molding and mass production of bioplastics that utilize waste plants. This session will explain how the molding and molding industries can use plant-derived raw materials as a new growth opportunity, using the latest examples. As for plastic parts manufacturing technology, the theme of the exhibition is “mold processing” and “parts manufacturing + plastic molding,” and all kinds of products and services related to plastic processing, such as resin materials, manufacturing technology, and molding machines, will be gathered. In addition, we have come to experience the evolution of not only metal but also plastic parts processing technology by simultaneously disseminating AM (additive manufacturing) molding technology and parts molding by AM and manufacturing technology by molds. Technological innovation is underway in the entire materials industry.