BANDAI SPIRITS Company's HOBBY Division in Japan has announced the latest product in its assembly model series, 'ENTRY GRADE,' which is suitable for younger and beginner-level modelers. The 'ENTRY GRADE 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam [Retro Color]' is scheduled for advance sale at the 'HYPER PLAMO Fes.2024' event, to be held on March 22-23, 2024.
As one of Japan's most influential companies, the Bandai Namco Group formulated its 'Sustainability Policy' in April 2021, outlining a mid-to-long-term plan towards net-zero carbon emissions to enable society to continuously address climate change and ensure the company's sustainable development. The HOBBY Division of BANDAI SPIRITS Company, which specializes in plastic model products within the group, simultaneously launched the 'GUNPLA RECYCLING PROJECT.' This project gradually attempts to reduce the use of traditional plastic materials, starting from collecting discarded model runners, to producing model products using the new alternative plastic material 'LIMAX', and creating recycled products from collected runners. Recently, they even collaborated with the renowned tea beverage manufacturer ITO EN to release the '1/1 Zaku-kun Model', which emits a green tea aroma.
The 'ENTRY GRADE 1/144 RX-78-2 Gundam [Retro Color]' released this time was also developed using a similar approach. Waste wood such as thinned wood, sawdust, and offcuts are pulverized into wood powder, which replaces approximately 20% of the original petrochemical plastic materials. This not only reduces the carbon footprint but also imparts a unique texture to the Gunpla. The surface of the parts exhibits a retro-style texture resembling kraft paper with wood powder particles, and it subtly emits a woody aroma. Additionally, the product features newly designed fuselage markings and box art with a strong retro aesthetic.
via： BANDAI HOBBY SITE