Japan: Otsuka Pharmaceutical begins rollout of PET bottles made from 100% recycled PET resin aiming to realize a decarbonized and circular society

2026-01-27 1:25 min Cosmetics & Medical, Sustainability & Circular Economy, Asia Pacific

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Tokyo, Japan

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) will begin a nationwide rollout of PET bottle containers made from 100% recycled PET resin¹ from late January this year. As a result, more than 90% (by number of bottles) of the company's PET bottle beverage products will use containers made entirely from recycled PET resin². This initiative is expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 5,300 tons². Otsuka will continue to promote environmentally conscious and sustainable initiatives toward the realization of a decarbonized, circular society.

Products using PET bottles made from 100% recycled PET resin (including label-free bottles)

POCARI SWEAT: PET bottles 250 ml, 300 ml*, 500 ml*, 900 ml
POCARI SWEAT ION WATER: PET bottles 250 ml, 300 ml*, 500 ml*, 900 ml
BODYMAINTÉ Drink: PET bottle 500 ml
Amino-Value 4000: PET bottle 500 ml
energen: PET bottle 500 ml

Otsuka's environmental initiatives for PET bottles

Under the Otsuka Group Plastics Statement, the company is working to eliminate the use of fossil resource-derived materials and prevent the discharge of waste into nature. In the Nutraceuticals-related business, Otsuka began offering label-free bottles in 2021 and PET bottles using recycled PET resin in 2022, alongside ongoing efforts to reduce container weight.

(Photo credit: Otsuka)

Additionally, to promote bottle-to-bottle³ horizontal recycling, using collected PET bottles as raw materials for new PET bottles, the company has concluded resource-circulation agreements with 30 local governments⁴ nationwide in Japan, including Tokushima Prefecture, where the Otsuka group originated. The company also collaborates with communities and organizations to promote bottle-to-bottle recycling through awareness-raising activities and the collection and recycling of used PET bottles at large-scale events such as international sports competitions and outdoor music festivals.

Based on the corporate philosophy of 'Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide,' Otsuka Pharmaceutical continues to contribute to the health and well-being of people around the world.

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¹PET resin recycled through material recycling (a recycling method in which PET bottles are sorted, crushed, washed, and processed for reuse.)

²Estimate based on 2026 production plan

³An ideal circular recycling system in which PET bottles are recycled and reused as PET bottles

⁴As of January 2026

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www.otsuka.co.jp

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Japan: Otsuka Pharmaceutical begins rollout of PET bottles made from 100% recycled PET resin aiming to realize a decarbonized and circular society

Products using PET bottles made from 100% recycled PET resin (including label-free bottles)

Otsuka's environmental initiatives for PET bottles

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