JEPLAN

JEPLAN, Inc., founded in 2007 by Masaki Takao and Michihiko Iwamoto, is a Japanese company focused on establishing a circular economy. Initially named Japan Environmental Design, the company rebranded in 2022 to JEPLAN to support its domestic and international business expansion. Since its inception, JEPLAN has raised a total of $30.5M over three funding rounds, with its latest Series D round in September 2022 including investors like Baillie Gifford and Rakuten.

The company's core business revolves around its proprietary chemical recycling technology, known as BRING Technology™. This technology breaks down used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from items like plastic bottles and polyester clothing to a molecular level. It removes impurities such as dyes and metals, allowing the creation of recycled PET resin that is equivalent in quality to petroleum-derived products. This process enables what JEPLAN calls "bottle-to-bottle" and "clothes-to-clothes" recycling. The company operates two chemical recycling plants in Japan: one in Kawasaki for PET bottles and another in Kitakyushu for polyester fibers.

JEPLAN's business model includes several verticals. The company manufactures and sells recycled products, including its own apparel brand, BRING™, which uses recycled polyester. It also offers technology licensing for its chemical recycling process, partnering with French companies Axens and IFPEN to expand this service globally. Another key part of its operation is establishing collection systems for used goods. The "FUKU-FUKU Project," started in 2010, involves partnerships with retailers and brands to collect unwanted clothing from consumers. JEPLAN also collaborates with municipalities and corporations, such as Sojitz, Osaka Gas, and TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL GROUP, to advance resource circulation, reduce CO2 emissions, and promote a decarbonized society.

Keywords: chemical recycling, PET recycling, polyester recycling, circular economy, resource circulation, textile recycling, sustainable materials, waste reduction, BRING Technology, bottle-to-bottle, clothes-to-clothes, FUKU-FUKU Project, sustainable apparel, plastic waste solutions, recycled PET resin, environmental technology, green chemistry, technology licensing, corporate partnerships, cleantech, Japan