Starting in December 2019, Nissin will begin using the bio plastics in phases into its mainstay line of Cup Noodle products in Japan market (image credit: mothership)

Fighting against plastic pollution, Nissin moves to use bio plastics

On Tuesday, Nissin Food Product co. announced to be more environmental friendly by using plant-based plastics, known as bio plastics for its Noodle cup packaging.

The eco-friendly plastic will be made from biomass polyethylene resin (Bio-based PE), derived from sugar cane. The company plans to use it for 10 percent to 20% of the final product.

Starting in December 2019, Nissin will begin using the bio plastics in phases into its mainstay line of Cup Noodle products in Japan market. By the end of March 2020, the new packaging is expected to be done in all over Japan. 

Currently Nissin’s noodle cup packaging made up of 70 percent paper and 30 percent petrochemical material, which used to avoid smells from kitchen chemicals such as insecticides seeping into the product. The Japan’s instant noodle leading company is going to replace half of its petrochemical material with 15 percent of bio plastics.

In other words the new containers will consist of 70 percent paper, 15 percent petrochemical material and 15 percent bio-based PE.

When the new cups are burned, they will produce carbon dioxide 16 percent less than the current cups, said Nissin. After the instant noodle cups, the company also plans to utilize bio plastics for its other products. 

As the second largest player in the global instant noodle market, Nissin is expected to an example for other companies to fight against plastic wastes.

Another Japanese food company, Suntory Holdings also come out with an idea to reduce plastic pollutions. The firm is going to create a system to recycle plastic beverage bottles.

Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/06/12/business/corporate-business/nissin-use-eco-friendly-plant-based-plastics-instant-noodle-cups/#.XQHhkntS9dh