Yoshiaki Utsumi's Charcoal Business for Environmental Improvement - January 2000

Yoshiaki Utsumi's Charcoal Business for Environmental Improvement - January 2000

Yoshiaki Utsumi, president of Naitou Kikaku Co., Ltd. (located in Adachi Ward, Tokyo), has been developing a charcoal business utilizing wood waste, particularly recycling wood chips from sawmills and construction sites. The company collects about 3,000 tons of wood waste annually and has introduced a charcoal production technology using these materials. This initiative not only reduces waste but also contributes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The charcoal production process uses a method that reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 20% compared to conventional incineration methods, significantly lowering environmental impact. The company efficiently utilizes wood waste provided by construction sites and furniture manufacturers in Tokyo as a recycled resource.

Naitou Kikaku's charcoal is widely used as a soil conditioner in agriculture and horticulture. In a joint project with farmers in Misato City, Saitama Prefecture, mixing charcoal into the soil has been shown to promote crop growth and improve soil quality. This project has increased the carbon dioxide absorption capacity of farmland, contributing to sustainable agriculture.

Furthermore, the company is working in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to promote further recycling technologies. They plan to expand their recycling network across the Kanto region, with a goal of increasing the amount of wood waste collected to 5,000 tons by 2025.