Non-wood paper in Japan 2001 10 87

 Diffusion Status and Challenges of Non-wood Paper

In recent years, wood pulp has been the main raw material used for paper, but non-wood paper has been attracting attention from the perspectives of forest resource conservation and environmental friendliness. Non-wood paper refers to paper made from kenaf, bagasse (sugarcane residue), reeds, and bamboo. Kenaf, in particular, can be grown in soil where other crops cannot grow, grows to 3 to 5 meters in 4 to 6 months, and is expected to yield 3 to 5 times as much as wood. It is also attracting attention from the perspective of curbing global warming because of its low environmental impact and high CO2 absorption capacity (about five times that of trees).

In Japan, the use of kenaf pulp began in 1991 when Aussie imported it from Phoenix in Thailand, followed by imports of bagasse and bamboo pulp. The Association for the Promotion of Non-wood Paper was established in 1993, and standards for the certification of non-wood paper were formulated. Under these standards, a certification mark is issued for paper, paper products, and processed products that contain at least 10% non-wood pulp by weight. As a result, non-wood paper is now used in a wide range of applications, including pamphlets, calendars, business cards, letterheads, envelopes, OA paper, and postcards.

In 1998, Tori launched wallpaper made of kenaf, which coincided with the widespread recognition of the sick building syndrome caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from building materials, leading to widespread adoption in newly built detached houses and condominiums. Compared to polyvinyl chloride wallpaper, which currently accounts for more than 90% of wallpaper, non-wood paper wallpaper is attracting attention as an environmentally friendly option.

In addition, the challenges for non-wood pulp include ensuring a stable supply and reducing transportation costs. Since kenaf is harvested only once a year, it requires storage space before it can be supplied as a raw material, and transportation costs are also high. The solution to this problem is to cultivate kenaf in hot and rainy areas where it can be harvested twice a year, and to construct pulp plants near the cultivation sites. The Association for the Promotion of Non-wood Paper, commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, is researching optimal pulping methods for non-wood fiber and has established a technology to produce kenaf pulp at a price similar to wood pulp.

Non-wood paper plays an important role in terms of forest resource conservation and environmental responsiveness. Its use is expanding in Japan as well, and it is expected to become even more widespread in the future. On the other hand, there are issues of stable supply and cost, and technological development and infrastructure improvement are underway to resolve these issues.