History of Eco-Materials: The Story of Materials Evolving with the Environment (Late 20th Century - 2020s)

History of Eco-Materials: The Story of Materials Evolving with the Environment (Late 20th Century - 2020s)

The development of eco-materials has evolved as an unavoidable challenge as mankind has continued on the path of industrialization, and from the latter half of the 20th century to the present, materials have been created one after another to reduce the environmental burden, evolving with technological progress. This progress has been deeply rooted in our daily lives while responding to changes in society.

In the 1960s, pollution in Japan, such as Minamata disease and Yokkaichi asthma, became more serious, and interest in the environment grew rapidly. Polluted air and water threatened people's health, and in reaction to this, there were calls for the realization of a sustainable society. This trend called for the development of materials that would allow for the careful use of limited resources and the reduction of waste. in the 1970s, the global shortage of resources became more serious, and recycling technologies and energy-saving materials began to attract attention. In Japan, beverage containers were reused and legislation was initiated to reduce waste. Aluminum and plastic recycling technologies advanced during this period, and the concept of using resources repeatedly began to spread.

In the 1990s, policies emphasizing environmental friendliness were promoted in many countries around the world. Legislation to reduce waste was established in Europe, and laws to promote recycling were enacted in Japan. Companies responded by developing new eco-materials. Japanese metal manufacturers have established technologies to transform used aluminum into new products, and the recycling rate of aluminum has reached over 80%. New types of plastics have been developed, and previously discarded items are now being reused.

In the 2000s, the development of eco-materials progressed in a wide range of sectors, including construction and manufacturing. In Japan, building materials with the ability to purify the air were introduced and incorporated into the building industry. Research on concrete with minimal environmental impact also progressed, leading to the development of highly durable materials with low energy consumption. around 2010, new fibers made from wood began to appear, and their potential as an alternative material to steel was explored. These materials are now being used in many fields because of their light weight and high strength while reducing environmental impact.

In the 2020s, the use of eco-materials expanded even further. In Europe, efforts to reuse metals used in devices that store electricity have progressed, and after 2031, the use of a certain percentage of recycled metals will be mandatory. In the U.S., new standards for automotive parts were introduced to promote the use of environmentally friendly materials. In Japan, policies to utilize resources without waste have been strengthened, and companies are actively promoting the use of recycled materials.

The eco-materials market expanded rapidly during this period. Japanese chemical companies have developed new plastics with properties that break down in the ocean and are being used in beverage containers and food packaging. In the metal industry, technologies have been established to reuse conventional aluminum and process it into new products. In the construction sector, concrete that reduces environmental impact has been developed, and more and more buildings are being constructed using this material. The beverage industry has also developed a system for reusing collected containers, and the recycling rate for PET bottles in Japan has reached 85.8%.

While technological innovations in eco-materials are advancing, challenges remain for the future. First, production costs remain high, and the use of eco-materials has lagged behind that of conventional materials. For example, the cost of recycled PET is estimated to be about 1.5 times that of regular PET, and technological development to reduce costs is required. Another issue is improving the strength and durability of recycled materials. In particular, fibers made from wood are lightweight and high-strength, but have the disadvantage of being vulnerable to water. Furthermore, recycling systems differ from country to country, and establishing a unified system will be a future challenge.

The development of eco-materials began in the late 20th century with the rise of environmental awareness, grew in the 1990s amid the movement toward a sustainable society, and has been diversified by technological innovation since the 2000s. And in the 2020s, tighter global regulations and technological advances have accelerated their practical application. In the future, in addition to cost reduction and performance improvement, society as a whole will need to change its mindset. Eco-materials will evolve further in the future toward the realization of a sustainable society.