Avantium’s Plant-Based Releaf® Gains Official Approval for Recycling in Japan

According to a report from Avantium N.V., a Dutch pioneer in renewable polymer materials, its plant-based plastic releaf®—made from polyethylene furanoate (PEF)—has received official approval for recycling within Japan’s PET bottle stream by the Council for PET Bottle Recycling (CPBR). The approval marks a significant step toward integrating bio-based materials into Japan’s well-established beverage packaging industry.

It is reported that CPBR, the industry body overseeing PET bottle recycling in Japan, conducted a detailed evaluation to ensure that new materials align with the country’s advanced recycling systems. Following rigorous testing, CPBR confirmed that bottles containing up to 10% releaf® can be safely and efficiently processed within Japan’s existing PET recycling stream without compromising quality.

According to the CPBR report, releaf® met the requirements for physical, chemical, and processing performance. The material also complies with Japan’s Positive List for food-contact plastics, the Standards and Criteria for Foods and Additives issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as well as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards. The council assigned releaf®-containing bottles an “A” rating—the highest recyclability grade—indicating full suitability for bottle-to-bottle recycling.

Avantium noted that this approval follows similar recognitions in Europe and the United States, where the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) and the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) have already endorsed Avantium’s PEF technology. These international validations give brand owners greater confidence to adopt releaf® as a renewable barrier material for beverage packaging.

“We sincerely thank all the companies in Japan that supported Avantium during the CPBR assessment,” said Yuzhong Chen, Business Development Manager Asia at Avantium. “Their collaboration was vital in demonstrating that releaf® can be successfully recycled within Japan’s PET bottle stream while preserving high material quality.”

Industry analysts note that Japan’s recycling framework is widely regarded as one of the most advanced globally, emphasizing circularity and low-carbon innovation. The approval of releaf® highlights ongoing efforts to integrate renewable materials into established recycling systems. Observers suggest the move may contribute to the beverage industry’s gradual transition toward more sustainable, recyclable packaging, consistent with global circular-economy trends.

Source: Avantium N.V.

SUNSHINE Spotlight: The CPBR’s approval of releaf® reflects a broader shift toward circular design—where innovation, regulation, and sustainability converge to reshape the future of packaging.