Increase in recycling of waste generated in society (waste plastics)

We recycle 100% of waste plastics collected from ordinary households through chemical recycling by using a coke oven in accordance with the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law of them. Specifically, waste plastics are used as hydrocarbon oil (40%), coke furnace gas (40%), and part of coke (20%). Currently, Nippon Steel is processing approximately 200,000 tons annually, or about 30% of the volume of waste plastics collected nationwide, in cooperation with local governments. Our method of using coke oven has an extremely high recycling efficiency and a great treatment capacity, contributing to a circular economy in many regions. The cumulative amount processed in fiscal 2000–2022 was approximately 3.91 million tons, equivalent to 12.50 million tons in terms of reduction in CO₂ emissions (the amount of annual CO₂ absorption³ in artificial cedar forests in the area as big as approximately 300,000 Yankee Stadiums).

Recently, chemical fibers and food trays have also been recycled by the same method. Furthermore, as the Plastic Resource Recycling Promotion Law enacted in fiscal 2022 calls for collection not only of container packaging plastics but also products made of plastics in bulk collection, we are also recycling plastics collected in bulk. In addition, we are also working hard to develop technologies for expansion of treatment to meet the increasing plastics processing needs in the in the future.

This expanded use of waste plastics has been incorporated in our “Carbon Neutral Vision 2050” measures to combat climate change, and is presented as one of the examples of the efforts of Nippon Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) member companies’ activity in its “Recycling Economic Partnership.”

3 One hectare of artificial cedar forest absorbs approximately 88 tons of CO₂ per year (source: the website of the Forestry Agency).

Waste plastic recycling facilities
(Kyushu Works Yawata Area)