Zenbird Editorial TeamPaper company Pepal has developed a new circular packaging material named Usumi Craft, set to release next month. The material combines biochar from unused resources with recycled cardboard, inspired by a 1,300-year-old recycled paper culture that originated in the ancient capital.
The project began when a developer at the company heard from an expert that the Shosoin Repository in Nara housed “one of Japan’s oldest recycled papers.” This paper, known as Shukushi, was made by re-pulping and reusing finished paper, a 1,300 -year-old culture of papermaking that coexisted with nature and carefully using resources to the end. The developer wanted to recreate this Shukushi in the modern era.
Usumi Craft is a modern interpretation of this cultural tradition. It is produced by mixing biochar, a charcoal-like substance derived from unused resources such as rice husks and food scraps, with used cardboard pulp. This process creates a paper with a soft grey hue and a natural texture reminiscent of ancient Shukushi. The inclusion of biochar also gives the paper a deodorising quality.
The effort also raises awareness of biochar as a valuable resource. Biochar is recognised as an effective environmental material because it sequesters carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. When used in agriculture, it can also improve soil quality. The biochar technology for this project was developed in collaboration with ZE Energy Inc., a company specialising in biomass energy and carbonisation equipment.
Pepal is also offering a closed-loop service for businesses. Companies can provide their own organic waste, such as vegetable or grain residues, to be converted into biochar and used in the production of their own custom Usumi Craft paper. This allows businesses to create a unique upcycling story for their packaging, business cards or other paper products. An authentication label is also available to clearly communicate the material’s sustainable credentials to consumers.
[Reference] Pepal Topics (Japanese)
