NANGOKU PAPER MFG. Innovations in papermaking that weave nature into the fabric - April 1995

NANGOKU PAPER MFG. Innovations in papermaking that weave nature into the fabric - April 1995

In the mid-1990s, NANGOKU PAPER MFG, headquartered in Kochi Prefecture, was pursuing paper manufacturing technologies that minimized environmental impact, based on the philosophy of "coexistence with nature. Particular attention was paid to the development of non-wood paper products using unused resources. By replacing conventional wood pulp with thinned wood, agricultural waste, and even plant fiber, a specialty of Kochi Prefecture, the company was able to simultaneously conserve forest resources and make effective use of local resources. In addition, advanced decolorization and deodorization equipment was introduced in the treatment of liquid waste during the manufacturing process, and efforts were made to preserve the river environment around the plant. These technological innovations were supported by local residents, who also appreciated the company's openness to visitors. In addition, the company made progress in research and development conducted in cooperation with th
e prefecture and universities, and began delivering environmentally friendly products to public facilities in a manner that pioneered the Green Purchasing Law. In the traditional industry of paper manufacturing, the company's management stance of putting environmental ethics, rather than mere production efficiency, front and center was beginning to spread to other industries. NANGOKU PAPER MFG. was a pioneering green company that took on the challenge of balancing the environment and the economy, and its presence in the industry grew.