Convert waste paper to new energy

With the increasing demand for new energy and the continuous improvement of environmental protection awareness, the value of Japanese old paper has rapidly increased, and prices have also risen. Concerns have been raised about the shortage of old paper.

In 2003, China imported 1.97 million tons of old paper from Japan, accounting for 10% of Japan's annual recycling volume. The export price of used paper is 11 yen per kilogram, which is higher than domestic sales by 2 yen. Therefore, exporters give priority to exports. China's paper production has grown at an average annual rate of 7%, which has become the largest raw material competition for Japanese paper manufacturers.

In addition, new demand has emerged in Japan. Environmentally-friendly solid fuel "RPE" made of a mixture of waste plastic and old paper attracts attention. Paper manufacturers have installed power generating boilers using "RPE" as raw materials. The use of raw materials is now 200,000 tons, and it is expected to reach 1.2 million tons in 2006, of which half of the old paper content.