Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) and Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Taiho) announced today that they have started a material recycling initiative for press-through packaging (PTP) waste generated during pharmaceutical packaging. The initiative commenced in May 2024.

This material recycling initiative seeks to reduce environmental impact by recycling PTP waste generated by Otsuka and Taiho. It utilizes technology to separate PTP sheets for packaging tablets and capsules into plastic and aluminum foil and includes a modal shift to rail transport, thereby helping to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Material Recycling Process

Based on the 2050 Environmental Vision "Net Zero", the Otsuka group aims to reduce the total environmental impact of its business activities to zero. In line with this vision, the group has identified carbon neutrality, circular economy, and water neutrality as material issues and is implementing initiatives to achieve these goals.

Previously, considering the CO₂ emissions from transportation, PTP waste generated at each factory^*3 of both companies was incinerated by commissioned waste disposal companies. The thermal energy from incineration was recovered, and the incineration ash was reused as part of the raw material for concrete.

Through the collaboration between Otsuka and Taiho, both part of the Otsuka group manufacturers of tablets and capsules will enable an efficient modal shift, making it possible to recycle all PTP polypropylene sheet packaging waste generated at the two companies. As a result, compared to incineration, this initiative will reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 94%, and allow about 55 tons of waste materials to be reused annually.

Otsuka and Taiho will continue to work toward the realization of a decarbonized and sustainable society by actively introducing renewable energy, maximization of energy-use efficiency, and effective use of resource, including this initiative as part of its activities contributing to a carbon neutral and circular economy.

Aiming to create a healthy future as a total healthcare company, the Otsuka group has established the 2050 Environmental Vision, "Net Zero," with the aim of reducing total environmental impact across all of its business activities to zero. Based on this vision, the group has determined the material issues for its environmental initiatives to be carbon neutrality, circular economy, and water neutrality. For carbon neutrality, the group has set a global medium-term target of a "50% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2028 compared to 2017." For circular economy, the group has set a global medium-term target of a "50% reduction in simple incineration and landfill disposal by 2028 compared to 2019." Moving forward, the Otsuka group will continue to leverage synergies realized in collaboration among group companies and work in unison on sustainability-related activities.

＜Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd. Sustainability Mission -Environment＞　https://www.otsuka.com/en/csr/environment/

Aiming to achieve the group's carbon neutrality target, both companies are adopting renewable energy, including the introduction of CO₂-free electricity, utilization of green power certificates, and installation of solar power generation equipment, in addition to maximizing energy use efficiency. In terms of a circular economy, the companies are striving to help build a recycling-oriented society while coexisting appropriately with the world's limited resources by minimizing waste generation, promoting resource recycling, and improving resource utilization efficiency across the entire value chain.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical's Environmental Initiatives　https://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/sustainability/environmental-vision/

Taiho Pharmaceutical's Environmental Initiatives　https://www.taiho.co.jp/en/csr/