Basic Policy
The Otsuka group has identified “resource recycling and conservation” as a material issue in its environmental activities. In this regard, we believe it is critical to take prompt actions to advance plastic recycling and curb marine plastic pollution, which have become serious worldwide challenges in recent years.
We formulated the Otsuka Group Plastic Policy with the aim of contributing to a sustainable society.
Otsuka Group Plastic Policy
Fundamental Concept
PET bottles comprise the majority of plastic containers and packaging used for consumer products by our group companies. For this reason, we believe that by promoting PET bottle recycling, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuel and thereby contribute to environmental conservation. Our plan is to use PET bottles manufactured from recycled and plant-based materials and increase the percentage of such sustainable resource use in our production processes globally to 100% by 2030 and by 2050, we aimto eliminate the use of petroleumbased raw materials in all consumer products.
Our Vision for 2050
For our entire line of consumer products, we will do our best to use packaging that supports a sustainable society:
- No use of plastics made from petroleum-based materials
- Promote use of recycled, plant-based, and biodegradable materials
- Promote use of reusable packaging
Our Goal for 2030
- Achieve a 100 percent or higher content of recycled and plant-based materials in our PET bottles.
- Introduce alternative packaging (for example, paper) and increase the use of cans for our drink products.
- Step up the promotion of drink bottle recycling by introducing reusable packaging through a zero-waste sales and circular distribution model, which also includes the promotion of using sports bottles for our powder products.
- We will promote the use of alternative packaging and concurrently pursue using more recyclable materials for drink containers.
To advance PET material recycling, it is essential to recycle PET bottles for use as raw material. Together with our various stakeholders, we will advance our global efforts on proper collection and recycling of used PET bottles.
Revised July 2022
Launch of PET bottles made using recycled materials
The majority of the plastic containers and packaging handled by the Otsuka group are PET beverage bottles. In 2020, the Otsuka group established the Otsuka Group Plastic Policy, and set a target of 100% recycled and plant-derived raw materials in PET bottles globally by 2030
The Otsuka group has been working to reduce the amount of plastic used in its products for some time by reducing the weight of plastic containers and packaging, as well as through label-less product initiatives. PET bottles made from recycled PET resin are used in Japan for products such as POCARI SWEAT, POCARI SWEAT ION WATER, and Amino-Value. Overseas, PT Amerta Indah Otsuka in Indonesia began selling POCARI SWEAT in a PET bottle container that uses 30% recycled PET resin, in August 2022.
Containers and Packaging for a Sustainable Society
Promoted “bottle-to-bottle” (horizontal) PET bottle recycling
The Otsuka group promotes recycling of plastics, primarily “bottle-tobottle” (horizontal) recycling, in which used PET bottles are recycled back into PET bottles. In November 2022, Otsuka Pharmaceutical signed a comprehensive collaboration agreement with Altec Corporation and Japan Power Bottlers Co. that covers the collection, manufacture, and sale of PET bottles. In February 2023, we also concluded a three-way partnership agreement for resource recycling with Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, and Toyota Tsusho Corporation. We will continue to promote alliances with governments, municipalities, and business partners to realize a sustainable recycling-oriented society.