Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance（CLOMA）

Message from the Chair

To solve the issues of marine plastic litter, a newly emerging global challenge, CLOMA aims to promote the development and introduction of revolutionary alternatives to plastics that will lead to a sustainable use of plastic products and reduction of plastic waste. To achieve this, the alliance aspires to plan and promote activities across the entire economic community regardless of industries and be the parent body to encourage sustainable development with the material in both the private and public sector.

There are 3 points to promote and highlight in this regard. First, are the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and their accompanying recycling system, which have been endorsed seriously in Japan. Next is the attention to society’s ethical consideration towards goods and waste. Finally, we must look at the additional R, “Replace.” It is vital to pay attention to alternative materials and to promote them in its entirety based on scientific evidence.

In order to do so, strengthening the collaboration between the public and private sectors and among private corporations becomes imperative.There is also a possible risk of weakening the significant collaborative process when entering the competitive area with a corporation’s individual interest. However, it is important more than ever to cooperate and accelerate “open innovation” while embracing all the issues in order to solve the global environmental challenge.

I wish to drive this newly established association forward with all of you to make it a meaningful organization and a fruitful alliance. I look forward to our work together.

Michitaka Sawada　Chair of CLOMA

Purpose of establishment

Commitment to Establish Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (provisional name)PDF File(Japanese)

Organization Profile

Organization Chart

Officer

Officer

Executive Committee Members (in Japanese alphabetical order)

2026.11.1

Our Activities

1. 1. Information Sharing and Communication

   

   Through its weekly CLOMA Newsletter and bi-monthly CLOMA Report, CLOMA keeps members up to date on the activities of the General Meeting, Executive Committee, Core Committees, and Key Action Working Groups (KAWGs), as well as the latest developments in plastics and 3R initiatives. CLOMA also shares the activities and achievements of its member companies and organizations with a wider audience through its website and the CLOMA Pavilion at trade shows, including examples featured in its Collaboration Case Studies.

2. 2. Technology and Knowledge Sharing

   

   Through the CLOMA Forum, Technical Seminars, KAWG General Meetings, and other events, CLOMA gives members opportunities to explore the latest technologies, policy developments, and leading examples of plastic circularity. These events help members stay informed and support their research, innovation, and business activities.Working with research institutions and experts, CLOMA also shares information on technology development projects and the latest R&D trends. In addition, CLOMA brings together government ministries, specialists, and member companies and organizations to exchange ideas and share insights through presentations and discussions.

3. 3. Co-Creation and Business Matching

   

   Through events such as Business Solution Forums and Best Practice Seminars, CLOMA promotes co-creation among its members.These events bring together companies and organizations that provide materials and those that use them, creating opportunities to share technologies, challenges, and successful examples. This helps foster collaboration, demonstration projects, and product development that would be difficult for any one company to achieve alone. CLOMA also provides a Matching Platform through its members-only website. Based on surveys and interviews with members, the platform helps support business matching among member companies and organizations.

4. 4. Real-World Implementation and Policy Collaboration

   

   CLOMA works closely with government agencies, local governments, and partner organizations to help put resource circulation for plastics into practice.　 CLOMA also takes part in discussions on policies and systems related to resource circulation, container and packaging recycling, and plastic resource circulation in the food sector. By bringing together perspectives from across different industries, CLOMA contributes ideas and recommendations to help shape future policies. In addition, through its KAWGs, CLOMA brings together member companies, organizations, and local governments to carry out demonstration projects. These efforts help develop and put into practice new technologies, systems, and approaches that support resource circulation.

5. 5. International Collaboration and Outreach

   

   Through collaboration with international organizations and research institutions, as well as participation in international conferences, CLOMA shares the technologies, expertise, and initiatives developed in Japan with people and organizations both in Japan and around the world. CLOMA also gathers and exchanges information on resource circulation and packaging design guidelines from around the world, helping members stay informed about international developments and best practices. In addition, through participation as an observer in international negotiations on plastic pollution, CLOMA helps bring together people and organizations to share knowledge and exchange ideas on global environmental challenges.

6. 6. Next-Generation Education and Outreach

   

   To help people better understand resource circulation and the circular economy, CLOMA also promotes education and outreach activities for the next generation. Through the Future Design Program, which is held at junior high schools, students learn about plastic circularity together with member companies and organizations. They explore ideas for the future, think about what a sustainable society could look like, and present their ideas and findings.　 CLOMA also encourages people to think about the future through CLOMA CITY, a website that presents a vision of a future sound material-cycle society.