May 2026
As Tokyo accelerates its green transformation (GX), advanced materials company establishes Japanese subsidiary.
Tokyo, May 12, 2026 – Okeanos, a developer of sustainable alternatives to traditional plastic packaging, has established its first subsidiary in Tokyo, Asia. Its flagship technology, “Made from Stone™”, is a mineral-derived packaging material that can be directly integrated into existing production lines and reduces the use of petroleum-derived plastics in the final product by up to 60%.
As part of its efforts to promote sustainable urban transformation, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has selected Okeanos as one of the overseas companies to be supported. This technology has been evaluated as a technology that contributes to GX in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “GX Foreign Company Market Entry Support Project”.
“Made from Stone™” is a unique material technology with calcium carbonate as the main ingredient. Calcium carbonate has been used as a plastic filler in the Japanese manufacturing industry for many years, and Okeanos has put it into practical use as a key component of packaging materials.
This can reduce the use of petroleum-derived plastics in the final product by up to 60%. In addition, its lower density compared to conventional plastic materials also contributes to improved sorting in the recycling process using water.
In addition, the technology can be directly integrated into existing production lines, eliminating the need for new machinery or process changes. For brand owners, it serves as a packaging solution that numerically demonstrates its environmental contribution and communicates clearly to consumers.
Currently, commercial production is carried out in 14 factories around the world, and it is used by processors, manufacturers (converters) and brand owners in North America, Europe, and Latin America. Applications range from flexible packaging films, rigid containers, vacuum forming packaging, and injection molded products.
In Japan, this technology is expected to be deployed to packaging applications such as convenience store plastic bags, e-commerce delivery bags, and food packaging films, and in these fields, the introduction of solutions that emphasize the reduction of plastic usage is accelerating against the backdrop of the Plastic Resource Recycling Promotion Act enacted in 2022.
“Japan has been known as a cautious market for foreign companies, but that is starting to change. Currently, Japan is actively opening up its markets, advancing the sophistication of its industrial base, and promoting collaboration with overseas companies. Establishing a Japanese subsidiary at this time is a decision that means a lot to us. Japan is trying to lead the way in change, and we want to work together on that journey.“
— Mafalda Esteve, Japan Lead, Okeanos
Okeanos provides comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) reports optimized for “Made from Stone™” by country of manufacture and manufacturing process. These reports are based on comparisons with conventionally used products. We are also developing transparency tools such as QR codes for consumers. While many alternative materials require new capital investments and supply chain changes, “Made from Stone™” can be implemented directly into existing manufacturing infrastructure. It is already in commercial production and shipment around the world.
“We believe that the transition away from virgin plastics will take place in the Asia-Pacific region, which produces much of the world’s packaging products, and the establishment of this location in Tokyo demonstrates our belief that the next decade of material innovation will be born in the region, and our long-term commitment to the manufacturing and brand companies that drive it.”
— Florencio Cuetara, CEO, Okeanos
The Japanese subsidiary will serve as Okeanos’ official headquarters in the Asia-Pacific region, building on its relationships with existing customers in Japan, Korea, China, and other key markets to support converter companies, brand owners, and procurement departments. In the future, we plan to work closely with our partners to realize material transformation that responds to both commercial and regulatory aspects.
Okeanos is also considering the possibility of establishing a production system in Japan throughout 2026.
The following is a direct quote from the original article published in Japanese here
