Circular Economy Created by Antibacterial Material "PIECLEX" X-TALK Vol.9【Part.1】

In recent years, the biodegradable fiber material "PIECLEX," which exhibits antibacterial effects through the power of electricity, has been garnering significant attention amid the rapid development of materials and products contributing to environmental sustainability.
Mihoko Yano, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Sustainability Dept. at Sumitomo Metal Mining, and Atsushi Tofuku, General Manager of the Innovation Strategy Dept., visited Daiji Tamakura, President and Representative Director of PIECLEX Co., Ltd., to discuss the potential social contributions and aspirations for co-creation that the material offers.
What's PIECLEX?

Profile

What's PIECLEX?

Collaboration with TEIJIN FRONTIER CO., LTD. for Development

Yano President Tamakura, I heard that you joined Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. as a new graduate but left the company once.

Tamakura Yes, I joined the company as a new graduate and was assigned to a department developing short-range wireless communication modules for mobile phones, which was still a new business at that time. However, I changed jobs after about two years. After that, I started a venture with a senior colleague, worked in marketing and branding for new businesses at foreign companies, and was involved in joint ventures at a chemical manufacturer in Osaka. I have consistently worked in the field of new businesses. In 2017, a former boss who had become an executive officer at Murata Manufacturing asked me, "Would you like to do something new with us again?" So, I returned to Murata Manufacturing after about 20 years. It was then that I got involved with "PIECLEX," Murata's unique biodegradable fiber material made from plant-based polylactic acid, which generates electricity when force is applied and has antibacterial properties.

Yano In 2020, PIECLEX Co., Ltd. was established as a joint venture with TEIJIN FRONTIER CO., LTD. Why was that?

Tamakura When I returned to Murata Manufacturing in 2017, PIECLEX was still in the development stage. While I had a vague image that this groundbreaking technology could dominate the market, the antibacterial power was not extremely strong, and it was uncertain whether it could be turned into a business. We spent one to two years desperately considering its development and conducting experiments. However, there were many challenges that we couldn't overcome on our own, so we reached out to Teijin as a partner for co-creation in the fiber field. We conducted joint research and development with Teijin Frontier for about four years, but by October 2024, we were able to become independent to some extent, and we dissolved the joint venture to restart as a 100% subsidiary of Murata Manufacturing.

Product Photos of PIECLEX Introducing PIECLEX Co., Ltd.

Concealing Information Slows Down Company Growth

Tofuku Currently, you are developing a circular economy centered on "PIECLEX," known as "P-FACTS." It's a very intriguing system.

Tamakura Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the demand for antibacterial and antiviral products has increased significantly, and stronger antibacterial properties are now required. While our material's antibacterial power is mild and long-lasting, it lacks competitiveness for instant antibacterial needs. Therefore, we rethought what could be done with this fiber from a different perspective than before the pandemic. We were fortunate that PIECLEX is a plant-based and biodegradable fiber. With the spread of keywords like sustainability and decarbonization, we thought of promoting the contribution to decarbonization through the use of PIECLEX. However, just being biodegradable doesn't mean it will decompose simply by being buried in the soil. It needs temperatures around 60°C to 70°C for decomposition to proceed. No matter how environmentally friendly it is, if it doesn't decompose, the circular economy won't be realized. Therefore, we decided to be involved in the entire cycle, including decomposition, and make it visible to consumers. We collect used clothing, compost it, use the compost to grow vegetables like corn that are the source of the fiber, and then make clothing from it again. We thought that by showing this entire process to consumers, we could gain attention and understanding.

An Accessible Circular Infrastructure for Environmental Contribution: "P-FACTS"

Yano In sustainability management that pursues the sustainability of the environment, society, and economy, the transparency of corporate activities is extremely important. However, Japanese people tend to think that negative aspects should be hidden. But now, by disclosing even negative aspects and increasing transparency, trust can be gained, and there will be more movements to invest in such companies.

Tamakura Companies that conceal information do not understand that doing so slows down their growth. By increasing transparency and making improvements, they might become leaders in the world. However, they are heading towards self-defeat. We disclose information every year about what we can't do and the progress we are making instead.

Yano Investors see that progress as a value-creation story and judge whether the company is worth expecting. Even employees would want to work on a business with dreams if they are going to spend money and time. However, in companies with old-fashioned mindsets, the focus might be more on "how to take responsibility if we can't deliver after raising expectations."

Tofuku What's impressive about PIECLEX is that the company involves even restaurants in their circular economy activities, using the compost made from the material to grow crops that are then consumed. This really surprised me.

Tamakura The circle is continuously expanding. Recently, we've started growing cotton in places like Kamakura (a historic city near Tokyo), Imabari (a city known for its towel production in Ehime Prefecture), and Moriyama (a city located in Shiga Prefecture). P-FACTS is not about technology but certification standards. As long as the standards are followed, anyone can join. We want to continue increasing such partners.

The Era Where Environment and Business Connect Has Finally Arrived

Tofuku It's often the case that even if new ideas lead to innovations, they don't get commercialized or don't become sellable products. In the case of PIECLEX, you focused on the piezoelectric effect of polylactic acid, starting with the idea of using the electricity generated when force is applied to exhibit antibacterial and deodorizing effects. However, the absolute effect was somewhat insufficient in practice. Normally, one might stop there. But instead of stopping, you approached the issues of the entire apparel industry from a different angle, considering composting as part of a new business. Murata Manufacturing is known for emphasizing cutting-edge technology, but instead of pushing technological innovation to the forefront, you captured value by interacting with the external environment and developing new ideas. This surprised me. Have there been similar initiatives before?

Tamakura No, it wasn't in our culture.

Tofuku Then, I assume there were considerable internal struggles. How did that go?

Tamakura Murata Manufacturing is an excellent company, and the amount of resources I use is at a level where management can laugh it off. Additionally, the management's desire to grow new businesses aligns with my efforts.

Tofuku But I assume there was some fear involved.

Tamakura Of course, there was fear, and there still is. But I also have a strong desire to contribute to the company that reached out to me again. Moreover, I have been involved in new businesses considering the environment for a long time, and from that experience, I know that companies with certifications are overwhelmingly strong. I see this as a chance, so even with fear, I am pushing forward. Now that I think about it, I don't know why, but when I first joined Murata Manufacturing, I wanted to work in environmental-related jobs. But at that time, very few people seriously considered the environment as a business. There was a time when I thought my ideas might be wrong. Now, the time has finally come where the environment is connected to business. It feels like what I had been nurturing is finally becoming a reality.

Tamakura Environmentally Friendly Products Should Be Cool

Tofuku How do you perceive the expansion of PIECLEX's business so far?

Tamakura I feel it is expanding faster than expected. At first, we approached municipalities, schools, and apparel companies to participate in P-FACTS, but recently, we have been receiving requests from them saying, "We want to participate," "We want to commercialize using PIECLEX," or "We want to make compost." What is gratifying is that the participating organizations are independently disseminating information about PIECLEX and P-FACTS on social media. This has a different impact, and a significant effect compared to advertisements.

Yano Is there anything you particularly value in branding and creating the story for P-FACTS?

Tamakura From my long-standing involvement in the environment, I value two main things. One is transparency, which is essential. The other is to dispel the image of the environment as something outdated or only for serious or interested people and create something more fashionable and exciting. When choosing products, people naturally reach for items that are cool and fun. Therefore, I believe that environmentally friendly products should be cool, cute, and enjoyable.

Tofuku That's already the case in Europe. Their awareness is completely different from that of Japanese people. They proudly say, "This is renewable clothing. That's why it's cool." That becomes brand power. I think that's what you're trying to do. It's the same in agriculture. Creating a situation where producers can proudly say, "The vegetables we grow are nurtured with compost made from decomposed fibers." It's a very noble and rare value in Japan, and I feel that you are thinking about branding with this perspective.

Yano The quality of products made in Japan is recognized worldwide, but Japanese people lack branding awareness. Whether people buy something or not depends on whether it appeals to their hearts, and that is exactly the power of branding. Hearing about PIECLEX's efforts, I felt that new businesses cannot succeed with just technological strength alone.

【Part 2】The Possibility of Co-Creation Between "P-FACTS" and "SOLAMENT™

In 【Part 2】, we will discuss the possibilities of co-creation between PIECLEX's circular economy "P-FACTS" and Sumitomo Metal Mining's advanced material technology "SOLAMENT™."

To be continued in 【Part 2】: "Circular Economy 'P-FACTS' x SOLAMENT™ and Their Possibility for Co-Creation"