DIC Corporation and the artience Group, through its packaging solutions subsidiary Toyo Ink Co., Ltd., have established what is described as the industry’s first common evaluation protocol for film packaging recyclability in Japan. The protocol standardizes test procedures, evaluation criteria and reporting formats for deinking and delamination in the material recycling of flexible film packaging within the Japanese market.
Flexible packaging is widely used across food, daily necessities and pharmaceutical applications. However, because it is composed of multiple materials, including films, printing inks and laminating adhesives, the processes of deinking and delamination are critical to achieving high-quality material recycling. Previously, evaluations of these processes in Japan relied on proprietary test conditions and criteria, making it difficult to compare results across companies or materials. This lack of standardization hindered recyclability assessment during the design phase and complicated information sharing across the domestic supply chain.
The new common evaluation protocol provides converters, brand owners and recyclers with a shared basis to evaluate and compare film packaging recyclability.
- The protocol defines equipment, test conditions, material handling and operational steps to improve reproducibility in Japanese testing environments
- Objective criteria have been established for assessing deinking and delamination performance along with recycled plastic quality
- A unified reporting format standardizes how test conditions and results are documented to support comparison across stakeholders
Protocol Benefits Across the Japanese Supply Chain
The practical value of the common evaluation protocol extends across several participants in the Japanese packaging value chain. Converters can use the framework to select printing and processing conditions as well as materials that prioritize recyclability. Brand owners gain the ability to choose highly recyclable packaging materials based on objective data rather than relying on disparate proprietary assessments. Recyclers can establish appropriate processing conditions based on documented material characteristics, supporting improved recycled plastic quality.
By providing a standardized framework for recyclability assessment, the protocol creates a common language for evaluating film packaging recyclability that was previously unavailable in the Japanese market.
- Converters benefit from clearer guidance on materials and processes that improve recyclability outcomes
- Brand owners can make packaging selections using objective, comparable data
- Recyclers can align processing conditions with material characteristics documented through the standardized reporting format
Industry Showcase and Continued Refinement
DIC Corporation and the artience Group aim to establish the protocol as the standard for recyclability assessment in the flexible packaging sector in Japan. Both companies are inviting industry stakeholders across the domestic supply chain to adopt the framework, which covers the full cycle from design and manufacturing through collection and recycling.
The companies will continue refining the protocol by incorporating insights from actual packaging materials and recycling processes in the Japanese market. The protocol and related initiatives will be showcased at the respective DIC and artience Group booths during TOKYO PACK 2026, scheduled for October 14 to 16 at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, with the DIC booth located in East Hall 2, Booth 2R04.