Recycled Acrylic Resin Produced by Co-Developed Technology Adopted for Door Visors of Honda’s New Mini-Electric Vehicle

Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd.

Microwave Chemical Co., Ltd. (“MWCC”) announces that recycled acrylic resin (PMMA) produced by a microwave-based thermal decomposition (chemical recycling) technology co-developed with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (“Mitsubishi Chemical”) has been adopted for the door visors of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.’s new mini-electric vehicle, the N-ONE e:. According to Honda Access Co., Ltd., this marks the first time in the automotive industry that recycled acrylic resin has been used for door visors. 

【Background】
Acrylic resin (PMMA) can be depolymerized back into its raw material, MMA (methyl methacrylate), via thermal decomposition and is therefore suitable for chemical recycling. Since 2021, Mitsubishi Chemical has been conducting joint research with Microwave Chemical on microwave-based thermal decomposition recycling technology, and we have worked with industry partners toward practical recycling using material recovered from end-of-life vehicles. Using this technology, we have confirmed stable production of recycled material with quality equivalent to virgin acrylic resin. Moreover, for PMMA manufactured using 100% chemically recycled MMA, we estimate a life-cycle CO₂ reduction of approximately 50% compared with conventional products.

【Key Features of the Technology】
・High energy efficiency and shorter processing time (microwaves directly and volumetrically heat the target material)
・Compact equipment footprint (enabled by shorter processing time)
・Improved safety (lower reactor temperatures than conventional heat-transfer processes)

【Outlook】
By advancing the practical deployment of microwave-based chemical recycling—starting with this initiative—we will promote broader use of recycled materials in automobile recycling and contribute to a sustainable mobility society. We will continue to expand our chemical recycling business, including this initiative, and accelerate the social implementation of microwave processes. 

■Introduction of This Technology at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan

At the Future Society Showcase Projects of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, we will exhibit its microwave-based chemical recycling technology.

This technology was advanced under the Osaka Prefectural subsidy program “Carbon-Neutral Technology Development and Demonstration Project” (FY2022–FY2023). As Osaka Prefecture conducts a special exhibition during the Expo, we will also host a booth.

As a novelty, we will distribute original rulers made from recycled acrylic resin produced by our microwave-based chemical recycling. Please visit our booth.

Event Overview
・Dates: Tuesday, October 7 – Monday, October 13, 2025, 10:00–21:00
・Venue: Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai (West Gate side) Future Life Village, Future Life Experience

Exhibit Contents
・Diorama of a continuous demonstration unit for microwave-based chemical recycling
・Tail lamps and other components collected from used vehicles (before recycling)
・Acrylic sheets containing recycled raw material (after recycling)

We will clearly present how used plastics are converted back into raw materials by microwaves.

【References】
・Mitsubishi Chemical Group (English) news release dated September 11, 2025:
“Recycled Acrylic Resin Jointly Developed with Honda is Used for the Door Visors of the N-ONE e:”
https://www.mcgc.com/english/news_release/02435.html
・Honda Access news release dated September 11, 2025:
“Sustainable Material Adopted for Genuine ‘Door Visor’ for N-ONE e: — First use of recycled acrylic resin for door visors in the automotive accessories industry —”
https://www.honda.co.jp/ACCESS/press/2025/hac2025091102.html
・MWCC news release dated May 24, 2021:
“Microwave Chemical and Mitsubishi Chemical have agreed to build a demonstration plant to commercialize acrylic resin chemical recycling”
https://mwcc.jp/post_en/press_release/2638/