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Japan Airlines to Introduce Biomass-Based Cargo Stretch Film

Japan Airlines has announced that starting in October 2025, they will become the first airline in Japan to introduce biomass-based cargo stretch film.  The initiative is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 50 tons annually.


Japan Airlines Introduces Cargo Stretch Film Made From Biomass Materials - Courtesy JAL
Japan Airlines Introduces Cargo Stretch Film Made From Biomass Materials - Courtesy JAL

On Monday (September 29, 2025), Japan Airlines announced that, starting this October, they will progressively introduce cargo stretch film made from biomass materials using the mass balance method at domestic airports. This marks the first initiative within Japan’s aviation industry, and the carrier expects it to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 50 tons annually. 


Compared to conventional methods, the mass balance method reduces concerns about raw material shortages and requires no large-scale capital investment. Japan Airlines has already introduced a range of initiatives to reduce single-use plastics derived from fossil fuels.  JAL Cargo actively promotes the use of materials containing eco-friendly components, aiming for efficient use of limited resources and reduced environmental impact. With the introduction of these new stretch films, a 100 percent incorporation of eco-friendly materials in cargo handling supplies will be achieved.


New Stretch Film Procession - Courtesy JAL
New Stretch Film Procession - Courtesy JAL
Japan Airlines to Introduce Sustainable Produced Cargo Film From October 2025 - Courtesy JAL
Japan Airlines to Introduce Sustainable Produced Cargo Film From October 2025 - Courtesy JAL

The mass balance approach is a method used during product processing and manufacturing where multiple raw materials are blended.  This approach allows assigning biomass materials to produce stretch films with a quality equivalent to those made from 100 percent petroleum-based inputs.  Additionally, the biomass materials incorporated in the stretch films are derived from biomass naphtha, a byproduct of the production of SAF.  Through testing at Tokyo-Narita, JAL Cargo Service and JAL Cargo Handling have verified that handling quality of this sustainably produced film is equivalent to conventional film.



Source: Japan Airlines

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