This paper summarizes recent national initiatives in Japan that advance polymer science for a circular economy, focusing on sustainable polymer design. The advanced polymeric materials contributed to major achievements in the ImPACT (Impulsing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies) program, including ultrathin separators and high-toughness automotive resins. The Moonshot Research and Development Program introduces marine-degradable “multi-lock” biopolymers derived from non-edible biomass, which maintain durability during use yet rapidly degrade when leaked into natural environments. A key discovery showed that specific nylon 6/6,6 copolymers biodegrade in marine conditions at rates comparable to cellulose. The SIP (Strategic Innovation Promotion Program) Phase 3 aims to build an integrated circular economy system, highlighted by the successful X-to-Car demonstration using recycled polypropylene. These results collectively indicate a shift from conventional recycling toward designing “life cycle programmable materials” whose durability, degradability, and upcycling pathways are engineered at the molecular and system levels. The paper concludes with key messages outlining future research needs for integrating material innovation with digital traceability and policy evolution.
Kohzo Ito (Thu,) studied this question.