In a major advancement for sustainable packaging, Indorama Ventures, Suntory, Neste, ENEOS, Mitsubishi Corporation, and Iwatani have announced the launch of the world’s first bio-PET bottle made from used cooking oil, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.
Starting this month, Suntory Group will distribute approximately 45 million bio-PET bottles for selected beverages in Japan, with plans for more products to follow.
These bottles are produced from ISCC+-certified bio-paraxylene derived from used cooking oil. Neste converts the oil into bio-naphtha, which Mitsui Chemicals processes into an intermediate material. ENEOS then produces bio-paraxylene, followed by Indorama Ventures, which creates terephthalic acid that reacts with monoethylene glycol to produce PET resin. Suntory uses this resin to manufacture the bottles.
The entire production process occurs at ISCC+-certified facilities. Mitsubishi Corporation oversees the supply chain, and Iwatani manages operations from production to delivery. This method is expected to significantly lower CO2 emissions by using a mass balance approach, integrating bio-based materials into PET bottles transparently.
Yash Lohia, executive president of Indorama Ventures’ ESG Council, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, emphasizing its potential impact on the packaging industry.
The initiative follows a partnership formed last year by Neste, Suntory, ENEOS, and Mitsubishi Corporation to produce PET resin from renewable feedstock, with Suntory planning to use this resin in 2024.
Additionally, Neste and Mitsubishi are focused on improving sustainability in various sectors in Japan, while Indorama Ventures is establishing advanced PET recycling facilities in India, with two locations set to open by 2025.
