The outlet, which will be built at an existing factory in Japan, will use renewable resources such as sugarcane to make bio-plastics (polylactic acid), targeting an annual production capacity of 1,000 tons.

Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) "has long been actively involved in various fields of research and development toward promoting global regeneration and the creation of a recycling-orientated society," the firm said in a statement.

Sugarcane used in bio-plastics absorbs carbon dioxide from the air as it grows, helping to reduce global warming, unlike petroleum-based plastics conventionally used by firms.

Bio-plastics can also be given bio-degradable properties to enable them to be broken down easily into water and carbon dioxide.

"As such, bio-plastics can make a significant contribution to reducing environmental impact," Toyota said, adding that it hoped to build a commercial plant to make bio-plastics in the near future.

SPACE.WIRE