Japan Airlines Becomes First Japanese Airline to Introduce Biomass-Based Cargo Stretch Films Using the Mass Balance Method
Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced a groundbreaking step in its sustainability journey by becoming the first airline in Japan to introduce biomass-based cargo stretch films through the mass balance method. The initiative, which will be rolled out sequentially across domestic airports, represents a significant milestone for Japan’s aviation sector and sets a new benchmark for eco-friendly practices in air cargo operations.
The adoption of these new stretch films marks a crucial move toward reducing the aviation industry’s environmental footprint, particularly in areas beyond aircraft operations. While airlines worldwide have been focusing heavily on reducing emissions from flight operations through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and fuel-efficient technologies, JAL’s initiative highlights the importance of addressing sustainability throughout the supply chain—including ground operations and cargo handling.
Addressing Challenges with the Mass Balance Method
Traditionally, cargo stretch films used in logistics and aviation have been manufactured using petroleum-based plastics. While durable and cost-effective, these conventional plastics are heavily reliant on fossil fuels, contributing to resource depletion and carbon emissions.
The mass balance method, however, offers a practical solution to these challenges. Unlike direct substitution methods, which often face issues related to raw material shortages or require major infrastructure upgrades, the mass balance approach blends biomass-derived raw materials with conventional ones during the production process. The proportions are carefully tracked, and the resulting final products are assigned the appropriate “biomass content” according to the ratio used.
This process allows manufacturers to produce films with the same physical properties and performance standards as petroleum-based products. For JAL, this means that ground staff can seamlessly transition to the new films without compromising the strength, elasticity, or reliability required for cargo packaging.
Another key advantage of the mass balance method is that it does not require large-scale capital investment in new equipment or production facilities. By utilizing existing infrastructure, the method becomes more cost-effective and scalable, allowing companies like JAL to accelerate the integration of sustainable materials into their operations.
Expected Environmental Impact
By adopting biomass-based cargo stretch films, JAL anticipates a reduction of approximately 50 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. While this may seem modest compared to the emissions from aircraft operations, it represents an important step in achieving comprehensive sustainability goals.
Airlines operate in a complex ecosystem where every part of the supply chain—from flight operations to ground services—contributes to environmental impact. JAL’s decision to act on cargo handling materials demonstrates a holistic approach, where even seemingly small adjustments can add up to significant improvements when scaled across the organization.
Moreover, this initiative has symbolic value: it signals to stakeholders, including customers, regulators, and industry partners, that JAL is committed to embedding sustainability into every facet of its operations, not just the areas under public scrutiny.
Alignment with JAL’s Medium-Term Management Plan
The introduction of biomass-based stretch films is closely tied to JAL’s broader sustainability strategy, as outlined in the JAL Group Medium-Term Management Plan (Rolling Plan 2025). One of the major objectives of this plan is to reduce the use of single-use plastics derived from fossil fuels, a category that includes cargo packaging materials.
The company has been steadily replacing petroleum-based materials with those containing eco-friendly components, aiming to optimize resource efficiency while reducing environmental burden. The switch to biomass-based stretch films represents the final step toward achieving 100% incorporation of eco-friendly materials in cargo handling supplies, fully meeting the targets set in the management plan.
This achievement positions JAL as a leader in the domestic aviation industry, demonstrating not only compliance with environmental expectations but also proactive leadership in setting higher standards for sustainable business practices.
How the Mass Balance Method Works in Practice
The mass balance method can be complex to understand, but at its core, it functions on a principle of allocation and certification. When biomass-based raw materials are blended with fossil-based ones during processing, the system ensures that the benefits of the biomass input are proportionally distributed across the final products.
For JAL’s cargo stretch films, this means that while the physical product may not be composed entirely of biomass, the certified allocation system guarantees that the equivalent amount of biomass material has been incorporated into the supply chain.
Importantly, the biomass used for these films is derived from biomass naphtha, which is obtained as a byproduct during the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). By linking cargo operations with SAF production, JAL is maximizing the efficient use of limited resources, ensuring that no byproduct goes to waste.
This integration strengthens the airline’s sustainability ecosystem, as it ties ground operations to the broader decarbonization strategies in air travel.
Product Specifications and Performance Validation
The newly introduced films incorporate polyethylene with 100% biomass content allocated via the mass balance method, blended at approximately 25% biomass-based plastic. Despite this shift in raw material composition, the films have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they maintain the same handling quality and performance standards as conventional petroleum-based products.
Trials were conducted at Narita Airport, where JAL Cargo Service and JAL Cargo Handling verified that the new films performed reliably under normal operating conditions. These tests confirmed that the films are durable, flexible, and capable of protecting cargo during transit without compromising efficiency.
Following successful validation, JAL has decided to move forward with full implementation, setting a precedent for other airlines in Japan and beyond to consider similar eco-friendly solutions.
Broader Implications for the Aviation Industry
The aviation sector faces mounting pressure to reduce its environmental impact, with governments, regulators, and international organizations setting ambitious decarbonization targets. While much of the focus remains on flight-related emissions, initiatives such as JAL’s cargo film project highlight the importance of supporting measures that contribute to sustainability in other areas.
By adopting biomass-based stretch films, JAL demonstrates that every element of aviation operations—whether in the sky or on the ground—can contribute to decarbonization efforts. This initiative could inspire other airlines, both in Japan and internationally, to explore innovative ways to minimize their dependence on fossil-based plastics and materials.
In addition, this move positions JAL as an early adopter in Japan’s aviation sector, enhancing its reputation as a leader in sustainability. It also supports the company’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, aligning with global aviation targets under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) framework.
As JAL continues to roll out biomass-based cargo stretch films across domestic airports, the company will monitor performance, environmental impact, and customer response. The successful integration of these films could pave the way for further innovations in eco-friendly materials, such as cargo pallets, containers, and other ground-handling equipment.
By linking the use of biomass-derived plastics to SAF production, JAL has created a circular model where resources are maximized, waste is minimized, and sustainability goals are advanced in tandem. This initiative is not just about replacing a single product—it reflects a broader mindset of resource efficiency, innovation, and responsibility.
Japan Airlines’ decision to introduce biomass-based cargo stretch films using the mass balance method marks a historic first for Japan’s aviation industry. With expected annual CO₂ reductions of around 50 tons, seamless integration into existing operations, and alignment with the company’s long-term sustainability strategy, the initiative demonstrates both environmental responsibility and operational pragmatism.
By becoming a pioneer in adopting such eco-friendly practices, JAL sends a strong message that sustainable aviation is not limited to aircraft and fuels—it encompasses every part of the ecosystem, from cargo handling to resource management. This forward-looking approach not only enhances the company’s brand value but also contributes meaningfully to the global effort to create a greener and more sustainable aviation industry.