TBM Japan

About TBM Japan

TBM Co., Ltd. is a Japanese unicorn company founded in 2011 by Nobuyoshi Yamasaki, who serves as the CEO. Yamasaki started his first business in his 20s and was inspired to create a globally competitive company with a long-term positive impact. The Great Hanshin Earthquake in his youth and the Great East Japan Earthquake shortly after TBM's founding solidified his commitment to creating a business that contributes to society, leading to the establishment of a plant in a disaster-affected area.

The company develops, manufactures, and sells sustainable materials as alternatives to traditional paper and plastic. TBM's flagship product is LIMEX, a composite material made primarily from limestone (calcium carbonate) and a small amount of polymeric resin. This innovative material, patented in over 40 countries, can be used to manufacture products typically made from paper or plastic, such as packaging, bags, business cards, and containers. LIMEX production significantly reduces water and wood pulp consumption compared to paper and lowers petroleum-based plastic usage and CO2 emissions compared to conventional plastics. The material is also noted for its durability, water resistance, and stable pricing due to the global abundance of limestone.

Expanding on its circular economy goals, TBM introduced CirculeX, a high-performance recycled material containing over 50% post-consumer recycled plastics. Developed using TBM's proprietary compounding and melt-kneading technology, CirculeX is engineered to overcome common issues in recycled plastics like reduced strength and unpleasant odors. It reportedly offers superior bending and impact strength compared to both conventional recycled materials and virgin plastics, making it suitable for demanding applications in construction, logistics, and automotive parts. Through its material recycling business, TBM operates one of Japan's largest plastic recycling plants in Yokosuka, processing LIMEX and plastic waste to produce recycled pellets.

TBM's business model is centered on a "sustainability revolution," operating across five main areas: Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), material development, product sales, material circulation, and new ventures like AI training. The company sells its materials and products to over 10,000 companies and municipalities. Having raised significant funding, including a notable $124 million Series D round, TBM is valued at over ¥136 billion ($868 million) and is preparing for a potential IPO.