Masato Ito, CEO and President of CTE, sat down with us to talk about the company’s focus on extrusion technology, sustainability, and what the future holds. He shared insights on how CTE has earned its reputation through innovation and commitment.

Q: Environmental concerns surrounding plastics have been growing. In your opinion, what’s the key approach for addressing these issues?

There’s no avoiding the need to address environmental concerns when it comes to plastics. Enhancing recycling technology and pushing forward the development of biodegradable resins are going to be crucial. At CTE, we want to build on the success of our high-filled compounding technologies to create solutions that not only meet today’s needs but also add value for the future.

Q: What are your thoughts on the current “anti-plastic” movement?

The term “anti-plastic” gets a lot of attention, but what really matters is how we can use and dispose of plastics sustainably. Our goal is to keep evolving our technologies to produce environmentally friendly plastics while also educating the public on the real facts and benefits of plastics when used responsibly.

Q: How is CTE tackling these challenges?

Beyond our 30+ years of experience with high-filled compounding and masterbatch technologies, we’ve been focusing more on recycled pellets and biodegradable resins. Recently, our high-filled compounding technologies have been used in both material and chemical recycling applications. A few years ago, we launched “Plamirai,” a media platform that we oversee in collaboration with Zenken Corporation, which focuses on plastics and recycling. Right now, “Plamirai” is only available in Japanese, but we’re planning to launch it in English soon as well.

Q:Could you tell us more about “Plamirai” and its purpose?

“Plamirai” offers accessible, easy-to-understand information not just about plastics but also more technical topics like extrusion machinery. It’s important to us to share knowledge and help shift public perceptions, especially since views on plastics can sometimes be extreme. Through “Plamirai,” we aim to provide a balanced perspective on plastics and their role in sustainability.

>>> Visit the Plamirai website here

Q:How do you think the plastics industry should evolve going forward?

While innovation and recycling technology are improving, consumer awareness and adopting efficient approaches to plastic reuse will be key. It’s not about demonizing plastics but understanding their versatility and how new technologies can make them more eco-friendly. We need to work toward a future where plastics contribute to society while respecting the environment.

Q:Finally, what’s CTE’s vision for the future?

Our vision is to create a future where plastics coexist with the environment and add value to society. We’ll keep focusing on R&D and education to ensure our technologies contribute to a sustainable society.