Itochu Corporation Launches Joint Pilot Project for CNF-Reinforced Plastic Logistics Containers

CNF is made from sustainably sourced wood and possesses high-performance characteristics such as strength and recyclability. Although the global CNF market size in 2024 is estimated to be only 6 billion yen, it is expected to experience significant growth as a sustainable biomass alternative to fossil-based materials for achieving decarbonization. Research institutions such as universities and companies in Japan have played a pioneering role in CNF development. However, due to high costs and other challenges, the commercial application of CNF remains limited. This project aims to promote the transition of advanced materials from the research and development stage to commercial-scale industrial use.

Itochu Corporation has recently begun collaborating with Japanese plastic logistics material manufacturer Sankō to develop CNF-reinforced plastic logistics materials. By enabling the production of thinner, lighter, and stronger plastic logistics containers, CNF offers a sustainable solution. In response to current logistics challenges, FamilyMart, Japan’s second-largest convenience store chain, has decided to join the demonstration project, prioritizing workload reduction and improved loading efficiency. This initiative will mark the world’s first implementation of CNF-reinforced plastic materials in a retail store environment.

The product developed in this project is a type of logistics material called a shallow container for food transportation (commonly known as "bat"). Sanko will manufacture CNF-reinforced plastic shallow containers. FamilyMart will use them to transport refrigerated food to approximately 80 stores in Shizuoka Prefecture. Additionally, Hiroyuki Yano, a specially appointed professor at Kyoto University and one of the world's leading authorities in the CNF field, will support product performance evaluation, environmental assessment, and product engineering. The goal of this alliance is to reduce thickness and weight by more than 15% and to explore other logistics applications.

ITOCHU Corporation, under the business policy of "New Transactions, Shifting Profit Opportunities Downstream," is market-oriented and conducts extensive research ranging from industrial applications to luxury goods. ITOCHU will continue to expand the application range of CNF, aiming to realize a sustainable society through the widespread adoption of CNF.