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Neste has partnered with Mitsui Chemicals Group and its subsidiary Prime Polymer to offer more sustainable food packaging solutions for products for CO-OP, a brand of the Japanese Consumers Co-operative Union (JCCU). During the initial stage of the collaboration, bio-based raw materials will substitute fossil ones in the production of packaging material for a seaweed snack. In the following phases, the companies plan to introduce bio-based raw materials to packaging for additional products. Neste specialises in manufacturing renewable Neste RE, a polymer feedstock crafted entirely from bio-based raw materials. Through the partnership, Neste will collaborate with Mitsui and Prime to process the feedstock, transforming it into renewable polypropylene under the brand name Prasus. The renewable polypropylene will then be employed in the production of food packaging for JCCU. Neste said that the bio-based packaging has the same quality and performance as its fossil feedstock packaging. The key differences revolve around the packaging's lower carbon footprint and "the substitution of fossil materials during its manufacturing". Lilyana Budyanto, head of sustainable partnerships APAC at Neste’s Renewable Polymers and Chemicals business unit, said: “Change begins with small things. In this case, it’s slices of dried seaweed. However, the impact of renewable plastic packaging isn’t small at all. It’s a crucial contributor to the sustainability transformation of the plastics industry and reducing emissions along the value chain. We are looking forward to the cooperation with Mitsui Chemicals, Prime Polymer and JCCU evolving.”