Recycled PET resin – JEPLAN and Asahi Soft Drinks Advance Circular Economy With Breakthrough Chemical Recycling Creating 100 Percent Recycled PET Bottles Without Petroleum Dependence 23-12-2025
Recycled PET resin
A Breakthrough in PET Chemical Recycling
JEPLAN Group, together with its subsidiary PET REFINE TECHNOLOGY and Asahi Soft Drinks, has achieved a major technological milestone in chemical recycling. The companies have successfully developed a process to produce recycled PET resin entirely from used PET bottles, without relying on any petroleum-derived feedstocks. This innovation represents a significant step forward in building a truly circular economy for plastics.
Chemical recycling has long been viewed as a key solution for plastic resource circulation. However, traditional methods often depended on fossil-based inputs to supplement recycled materials. The newly developed technology eliminates that limitation, proving that high-quality recycled PET resin can be made using only post-consumer PET bottles.
From Used Bottles to High-Quality PET Resin
At the core of this innovation is JEPLAN Group’s proprietary chemical recycling technology. This process breaks down used PET bottles at the molecular level, thoroughly removing impurities and restoring the material to a state equivalent to virgin, petroleum-based PET resin.
The resulting recycled PET resin, marketed under the name HELIX, meets the strict quality standards required for demanding applications such as beverage containers and cosmetic packaging. By using 100 percent used PET bottles as feedstock, HELIX demonstrates that chemical recycling can deliver both environmental benefits and commercial-grade performance.
Test Adoption in CALPIS SODA Bottles
Asahi Soft Drinks has begun partially adopting PET bottles made with this recycled PET resin in its CALPIS SODA 1.5L products. This test introduction marks an important validation of the technology in real-world commercial use.
The initial rollout is being conducted on a trial basis, allowing the companies to gather data, refine production processes, and ensure stable supply. Based on these results, JEPLAN Group and Asahi Soft Drinks will continue technical development with the goal of full commercialization by 2029.
Supporting Asahi Soft Drinks’ 2030 Sustainability Goals
Asahi Soft Drinks has committed to using recycled or plant-derived PET bottles for all of its PET packaging by 2030. This initiative directly addresses global environmental challenges such as plastic waste, resource depletion, and marine pollution.
The collaboration with JEPLAN Group strengthens this commitment by providing a scalable solution for recycled PET resin. Together, the companies are working toward a future where PET bottles are continuously collected, recycled, and reused without dependence on new fossil resources.
HELIX and the Vision of Continuous Circulation
HELIX is more than a material name. The word helix symbolizes a spiral, representing continuous circulation and regeneration. This concept aligns closely with JEPLAN Group’s mission to circulate resources efficiently and responsibly.
By enabling PET bottles to be recycled repeatedly without quality loss, HELIX helps close the loop on plastic packaging. The technology also contributes to reduced CO₂ emissions compared to petroleum-based manufacturing processes, reinforcing its role in climate change mitigation.
Expanding Applications Beyond Beverages
Thanks to its high purity and performance, HELIX can be used in applications that require rigorous quality standards. These include beverage PET bottles, cosmetic containers, and other packaging formats where safety and consistency are critical.
On the HELIX brand website, JEPLAN Group highlights a growing range of use cases, including the newly introduced CALPIS SODA 1.5L bottle. These examples demonstrate the versatility of recycled PET resin produced through advanced chemical recycling.
Driving a Global Circular Economy
JEPLAN Group continues to collaborate with partners both in Japan and internationally to expand the reach of its chemical recycling technology. By working across industries and borders, the group aims to accelerate the transition to a recycling-oriented society.
Through innovation, collaboration, and long-term investment, JEPLAN Group, PET REFINE TECHNOLOGY, and Asahi Soft Drinks are helping redefine how PET bottles are produced, used, and recycled. Their efforts move the industry closer to a future where plastic resources circulate continuously, supporting both economic growth and environmental responsibility.
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