Analysis of the current status of ecomaterials in Japan

Abstract

Ecomaterials were categorized based on their life cycle and eco-efficiency. Ecomaterials in their broadest sense are classified into "Functional materials of the environment", "Materials for the advanced energy" and "Materials of life cycle design". The materials in the first two categories improve such services as the maintenance of living environment and the efficiency in energy supply. "Materials of life cycle design" can be referred to as ecomaterials in the strict sense and are further devided into four categories according to the focus on stage in life-cycle, namely, "Materials with green environmental profile", "Materials of higher material efficiency", "Materials of higher recyclability" and "Materials of hazardous substance free". Based upon this classification, current Website home pages and environmental report books of enterprises were investigated in search of commercialized ecomaterials. There are many "Materials of higher material efficiency" and "Materials of hazardous substance free" reaching the high 39% and 31% of the total respectively. "Materials with green environmental profile" gains 21%, and "Materials of higher recyclability" shows only 5%. The "Materials of life-cycle design" are obviously well represented in the market reflecting manufacturers' determined response to the increasing appeal to consumers.