The History of Shikauchi Tsuyoshi Co., Ltd.'s Scallop Shell Recycling Business in Aomori City - From 1997 to the 2020s

The History of Shikauchi Tsuyoshi Co., Ltd.'s Scallop Shell Recycling Business in Aomori City - From 1997 to the 2020s

Shikauchi Tsuru Co., Ltd. (Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture) has been developing a recycling business utilizing Aomori Prefecture-produced scallop shells since the late 1990s, and its efforts have expanded further into the 2020s. The company focused on the situation where approximately 200,000 tons of scallop shells are discarded annually at fishing ports and aquaculture farms within Aomori Prefecture, aiming to solve the waste problem through shell reuse. Scallop shells primarily consist of calcium carbonate, with trace amounts of magnesium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and calcium sulfate. The company successfully developed, manufactures, and sells "Scallop Tiles," a building material with excellent permeability and moisture-regulating properties, utilizing these components. These "Scallop Tiles" are used as building materials in homes and public facilities, gaining attention as an environmentally friendly product that aids in insulation and humidity control. While the 1990s
primarily saw scallop shells processed into chips for use as soil conditioners or chicken feed, Shikauchi Tsuya pioneered technology to utilize them as building materials. By the early 2000s, the company had accumulated a track record of installations at sites like the Shinkansen Akita Station in Aomori City and the Kodomari Fishing Port, successfully promoting the effectiveness of Scallop Tiles both locally and beyond.

Furthermore, in the 2020s, the company is focusing on developing new products like "Green Stone" and "Fish Reefs" by applying fixation technology for the calcium carbonate obtained through shell recycling. Through these efforts, the company has moved beyond simple waste recycling to contribute to environmental conservation and ecosystem maintenance.

In recent years, Kanouchi has established itself as a community-rooted recycling enterprise, with its initiatives extending beyond Aomori Prefecture to other regions. Its scallop tiles and shell recycling products promote local economic circulation and are recognized domestically and internationally as an ecological business model.