Mitsubishi Chemical and Circularise launch audit-ready mass balance operations at Ibaraki, Japan

Tokyo and The Hague, 9 September 2025 – Circularise has successfully deployed its product traceability platform to manage mass balance credits at the new chemical recycling facility at Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation’s Ibaraki Plant, Japan. The implementation enables automated, audit-ready compliance reporting from the start of operations, setting a benchmark for digitised mass balance management in Japan.

From spreadsheet tracking to real-time compliance

Mass balance is gaining traction as a phased approach for integrating sustainable feedstocks into existing production systems. Yet manual credit tracking through spreadsheets and paper records often slows audits, introduces errors, and undermines the credibility of sustainability claims.

By centralising mass balance management on its platform, Circularise now helps Mitsubishi Chemical:

• Automate credit calculations aligned with ISCC PLUS rules.
• Reduce reliance on manual inputs to spreadsheets.
• Generate audit-ready, regulator-recognised reports from day one.
• Scale certified operations across multiple sites without proportional staff increases.

“To build a credible circular economy, the market needs trustworthy data. By moving mass balance credit management onto our centralised, automated platform, we're enabling Mitsubishi Chemical to scale its operations with reliable data and audit-ready reporting.  This strengthens market confidence in recycled materials while providing a replicable model for other Japanese manufacturers,” said Jordi de Vos, Founder of Circularise.

A model for Japan’s circular economy

Circularise and Mitsubishi Chemical have collaborated since 2024 to prepare the Advanced Recycling Business for commercial launch. Circularise will continue to support Mitsubishi Chemical with dedicated onboarding, supplier coordination, and compliance updates, ensuring that this advanced recycling project remains aligned with evolving regulations such as ISCC PLUS.

Looking ahead, the companies see this collaboration as a blueprint for digitised compliance and traceability in Japan. By integrating scalable mass balance automation with expert support, Circularise and Mitsubishi Chemical are helping establish a transparent and reliable framework for the country’s circular economy.

This digital framework is also essential for creating Digital Product Passports, addressing the growing demand for supply chain transparency from both regulators and brand owners. These passports provide downstream customers with verified data on recycled content, carbon footprint, and certification status. This capability positions the partnership to meet increasingly stringent transparency requirements while maintaining competitive advantages for participating companies.