Report] 1st-3rd ICETT Resource Circulation Seminar (Overseas Transfer Project of Various Resource Recycling-Related Technologies)

Summary

International Center for Environmental Technology Transfer (ICETT) held the "ICETT Resource Circulation Seminar" three times in fiscal 2024 with the aim of contributing to the promotion of resource recycling and businesses that contribute to it in Japan and overseas, including ASEAN countries, through the sharing of information with companies and organizations. The seminar was held three times.
　Each session was held in a hybrid format of on-site and online delivery, and after the session, an opinion and business card exchange session was held for speakers and participants at the venue.
　The total number of seminar participants for all three sessions was 489.

Background and Objectives

　In recent years, the promotion of resource circulation has become increasingly important in order to realize a circular economy. With an eye on the global nature of resource recycling and the promotion of resource recycling business in developing countries, especially in ASEAN, we focused on "business development in ASEAN with Japanese technology at the core" in this project.

Contents

The 1st ICETT Resource Circulation Seminar: Toward e-waste Resource Recycling Business in ASEAN
　Date: October 11, 2024 (Friday)
　Number of participants: 102 in total (21 at the venue, 81 online)
　The first issue of this series focused on the resource recycling of e-waste (electrical and electronic equipment waste) in ASEAN. While e-waste in ASEAN is attracting attention as an important resource against the backdrop of rising demand for metals due to the promotion of decarbonization and digitalization, environmental pollution caused by improper disposal of e-waste is also a serious problem in the region. The first seminar was held in light of the trend toward the importance of strengthening ties between Japan and ASEAN from both economic and environmental perspectives.
　In the opening keynote speech, the current situation in ASEAN countries was shared. Mr. Kojima explained that some e-waste is being improperly disposed of, while others are beginning to apply extended producer responsibility to ensure proper recycling, using Singapore and Vietnam as examples. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) then introduced their latest policies. After that, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and Arbiz Corporation introduced their initiatives.
　Program Description:
　　"The Situation Surrounding ASEAN's e-Waste."
　　　　Mr. Michikazu Kojima, Chief Senior Researcher Inter-disciplinary Studies Center, JETRO / Senior Research Fellow, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)
　　"Current Status and Future Prospects for E-waste Resource Recycling in Japan and ASEAN."
　　　　Mr. Ko Matsuura, Assistant Director, Office for Promotion of Sound Material-Cycle Society, Environmental Regeneration and Material Cycles Bureau, Ministry of the Environment
　　"Business Opportunities for Japanese Companies in ASEAN's e-waste Resource Circulation"
　　　　Mr. Hideki Kamitatara, Director for International Resource Circulation, GX Group, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
　　"The Potential of Home Appliance Recycling Business in Malaysia."
　　　　Mr. Akihiko Sunami, Assistant General Manager, Recycling Promotion Group, Home Appliances Recycling Sec, Business Management Dept, Resource Circulation Div.
,Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
"Experience of e-waste recycling demonstration project in Thailand"
　　　　Mr. Hiromitsu Akaike, Deputy Director, Management Department, Arbizu Corporation
Photos

The 2nd ICETT Resource Circulation Seminar: The Potential for Promoting Automobile Resource Recycling through Cross-Industry Collaboration
　Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025
　Number of participants: 252 in total (33 at the venue, 219 online)
　The second session was held on the theme of automobile resource recycling. The need for automobile resource recycling in Japan is rapidly increasing in response to international trends and from the perspective of securing resources. The latest policies and advanced approaches to automobile resource recycling, a key industry in the Chubu region, were introduced with a viewpoint of cross-industry collaboration.
　The Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) introduced the current status of resource recycling in the automotive industry and the measures taken by each ministry. Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency introduced their efforts and progress in the "Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program: SIP "Development of Circular Economy System'", and Toyota Metal Co., Ltd. introduced their company and business.
　Program Contents
　　"The Ministry of the Environment's Efforts to Promote Resource Recycling in the Automotive Industry."
　　　　Mr. Yohei Kawada, Director, Office for Resource Recycling Promotion and Office for Resource Circulation Businss Promotion, Environmental Regeneration and Material Cycyles Bureau, Ministry of the Environment
　　"Automobile Recycling Initiatives and Future Challenges for Promoting the Circular Economy."
　　　　Mr. Mitsuru Hara, Director for Automobile Recycling Policy, Automobile Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
"Effort for Resource Circulation on "Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) "Development of Circular Economy System"
　　　　Mr. Kenichi Fukuyama, Director, Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency
　　"Promoting Automobile Resource Recycling through Advanced Recycling Technology"
　　　　Mr. Koji Kaneko, Managing Director, Toyota Metal Co., Ltd
Photos

The 3rd ICETT Resource Circulation Seminar: The Potential for Promoting Automobile Resource Recycling through Cross-Industry Collaboration
　Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
　Number of participants: 135 in total (25 at the venue, 110 online)
　The third session was held on the theme of resource recycling of textiles. As Japan is facing the challenge of shifting from mass production and mass disposal of textiles, the government is actively working to promote resource recycling through the formulation of systems, technological development by companies and research institutions, and collaboration among local communities, industry, government, and academia.
　In his keynote speech, Professor Morikawa of Shinshu University's Faculty of Textile Science and Technology introduced the characteristics of fibers, changes in manufacturing technology, and efforts to reduce environmental impact. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) then shared the latest policies and trends surrounding the textile industry, followed by presentations on advanced initiatives by two companies, Nikke (Japan Wool Textile Co., Ltd.) and Chubu Electric Power Co.
　Program Contents
　　"Industry-government-academia collaboration for environmentally conscious design and resource recycling - using the textile industry as a model"
　　　　Mr. Hideaki Morikawa, Professor, Department of Advanced Textile & Kansai Engineering
　　"Environmental Considerations and Other Sustainability Initiatives for Textile Products."
　　　　Mr. Daiki Yamashita, Assistant Director, Lifestyle Industries Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
　　"WAONAS, a project to collect and recycle wool-blend clothing materials"
　　　　Mr. Takeichirou Baba, Deputy Manager, Marketing Strategy Department, Textile & Clothing Materials Division, Nikke (The Japan Wool Textile Co., Ltd.)
　　"Introduction of Chubu Electric Power Company's "Local Infrastructure Business" (Resource Recycling Initiatives)"
　　　　Ms. Hiroko Mizutani, Unit Manaer of Sales Department, Regional Infrastructure Business Department, Corporate Planning & Strategy Division, Chubu Electric Power Company, Incorporated
Photos

Results and Prospects

　We were able to provide information on the current status and issues related to the products and materials covered in each seminar from a variety of perspectives, as well as an opportunity to think about future measures to promote resource recycling. After the lectures, there was a lively exchange of business cards and information between the speakers and audience participants, contributing to networking for new collaborations and business creation.
　ICETT will continue to contribute to the promotion of resource recycling through the ICETT Resource Recycling Seminar in FY2025, based on the knowledge gained in FY2024 and the opinions expressed in the participant survey.