Mitsui Chemicals and Itochu Enex Begin Demonstration Experiment to Recycle Waste Clothing

Tanseisha and Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (located Chuo City, Tokyo; President and Chief Executive Officer: Osamu Hashimoto; hereinafter referred to as "Mitsui Chemicals") will begin a demonstration experiment (hereinafter referred to as "this demonstration") aimed at realizing a circular economy by creating a continuous process to transform discarded clothing into new products and utilize them in facilities and other locations.

Social background of this demonstration

It is said that approximately 508,000 tons of clothing is thrown away each year in Japan. CO2 emissions related to clothing amount to approximately 90 million tons (from raw material procurement to manufacturing, 25.5 kg per item). Water usage is also approximately 8.3 billion m3 (from raw material procurement to manufacturing, 2,300 L per item), and clothing places a significant burden on the environment. (*1)

While involved in creating spaces, Tanseisha has witnessed the current situation where many businesses are searching for solutions to these social issues. Therefore, by reconsidering discarded clothing in the apparel industry as a "useful resource," we aimed to build a system to give it new value, regenerate it, and circulate it back into society, which led to this demonstration project.
Through the technological developments it has undertaken to date, Mitsui Chemicals has acquired the know-how to compound materials with vastly different properties. It has also built collaborative relationships with companies that have been early adopters of resin compounds made from waste biomass materials, as well as with molding manufacturers, and has sought ways to make effective use of biomass materials while putting the circular economy into practice.

*1: Excerpt from the Ministry of the Environment's "Sustainable Fashion (2020)"

Demonstration Project

In this demonstration project, clothing that was scheduled to be discarded will be cut, pulverized, and pelletized, returning to its original form as molding material, and then upcycled into hangers, mannequins, trays, and other items. These will be introduced on a trial basis from April 21st at "LaLaport CLOSET" (1F, Chuo City, Tokyo; President and Chief Executive Officer and CEO: Shun Ueda; hereinafter "Mitsui Fudosan"). Following this trial, an evaluation of the sustainability of this demonstration project will be conducted.
Through the verification of the issues identified during the evaluation, we aim to establish a process that adds new value to discarded clothing, including unsold items from tenant stores within the facility, and reuses it within the facility. Furthermore, we will work on expanding into plastic products for various uses, as well as developing building materials and interior materials for use in facilities, and promote their utilization.
Tanseisha and Mitsui Chemicals will continue to leverage their respective knowledge and expertise to address challenges toward realizing a sustainable society.

*2 Upcycling: Adding value to items that would otherwise be discarded and giving them new life as new products.

News Release

Tanseisha and Mitsui Chemicals begin demonstration experiment aimed at recycling discarded clothing
~ Trial introduction of recycled hangers and other items to implementation facilities to realize a circular economy ~

Roles of each company in this demonstration project

Demonstration experiment participating stores

Store name: LaLaport CLOSET
Location: Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport TOKYO-BAY North Building 1F (2-1-1 Hamamachi, Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture)
Demonstration content: Utilizing hangers and torsos in stores

This demonstration partner company