Plastics & Polymers

— Latest update: October 2023 —

Japan is one of the largest producers of plastics in the world. The plastics industry takes up a significant share in the manufacturing landscape of Japan. Japan also produces a large share of the global plastic waste. The Chinese and Southeast Asian bans on plastic waste imports have shifted Japan’s strategy towards the development of environmentally sustainable alternatives to generic plastics and the renewed focus on developing high-grade materials for machinery applications.

EU-Japan Centre, The Japanese market of single-use plastic products and potential substitutes Opportunities for EU innovative SMEs proposing alternative solutions, 2018

In the global polymer market, Japan is a leading rubber and carbon fibre manufacturer. Rubber is an essential material for Japan’s automotive industry, used for its tyre production, one of the top products exported worldwide. Regarding carbon fibre, mainly in the lightweight market, industries such as aerospace, automotive, building and civil engineering, electronics, sports, etc. are the ones where Japan has kept its place as a world leader producer, accounting for 70% of the global production, and manufacturer in terms of quality and quantity.

JATMA, Tyre Industry of Japan, 2018 (Japanese Website)
The Japan Carbon Fiber Manufacturers Association, 2019

Table of Contents

• Overview
• Carbon Fiber
  • Fibre Reinforced Plastic
  • Automotive composites
• Ruber market
  • Tyres
• Green opportunities
  • Bioplastics
  • Bioplastic Labelling
• Expert Reports
• Annual Reports
• Further Reading
• Relevant Organisations and Trade Fairs