Development of Environmentally Friendly, High-Value-Added New Products and Technologies

「The company's in-house SpecView system, which converts printing design and production instruction sheets into electronic data, has been rolled out to 15 plants, significantly reducing workloads at production sites and contributing to paperless operations.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the interim consolidated accounting period was ¥1,510 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the interim consolidated accounting period.」

「The total amount of the Group's R&D expenses was ¥3,154 million.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the interim consolidated accounting period was ¥1,554 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the interim consolidated accounting period.」

「ViscoPearl® and cellophane have obtained the international marine biodegradability certification OK biodegradable MARINE, and ViscoPearl® is attracting attention as an alternative to microplastic beads that can help address marine plastic pollution. To expand its applications further, the company developed manufacturing technology for smaller-particle ViscoPearl® through R&D and, in fiscal 2022, installed plant equipment capable of producing 120 t annually under a Ministry of the Environment subsidy program. The equipment is operating smoothly.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period was ¥1,580 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the second-quarter cumulative period was ¥1,036 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the second-quarter cumulative period.」

「ViscoPearl® and cellophane have obtained the international marine biodegradability certification OK biodegradable MARINE, and ViscoPearl® is attracting attention as an alternative to microplastic beads that can help address marine plastic pollution. To expand its applications further, the company developed manufacturing technology for smaller-particle ViscoPearl® through R&D, installed plant equipment capable of producing 120 t annually, and is operating it.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period was ¥1,521 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period.」

「In July, a plant for ViscoPearl®, biodegradable microscale spherical cellulose particles made from wood-derived pulp, was newly established at the Kanazu Plant in Awara, Fukui Prefecture, to help address the marine plastic waste problem.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period was ¥476 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period was ¥1,616 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period.」

「The Central Research Institute was also relocated to the center, and the R&D structure was strengthened by refurbishing the facility based on a co-creation concept.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period was ¥481 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period was ¥1,355 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period.」

「For the paperboard packaging machinery used by the company, we are working to improve quality and productivity, reduce labor and energy consumption, and improve the working environment by developing proprietary machinery and systems unavailable from other companies. As a control system, the nationwide rollout of Ren-Chart, which manages the operation of box-making machines using electronic charts, has been completed.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period was ¥1,202 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period.」

「We newly introduced Japan's first preprint digital printing press and began selling DigiPake, opening up a new world of corrugated packaging as a high-definition, variable-printing promotional tool.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period was ¥411 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period.」

「At the Yashio Distribution Center operated by Rengo Logistics Co., Ltd., we completed development and began operating a system using AI technology to plan product picking and guide trucks.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period was ¥1,137 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the second-quarter cumulative period was ¥759 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the second-quarter cumulative period.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period was ¥378 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period.」

「During the consolidated fiscal year, the company launched a drain-water evaporation unit for commercial refrigerated display cases, thin paper for cultural property protection, and self-standing draining garbage bags. It also plans to launch additional new products in fiscal 2018, and its product lineup continues to expand steadily.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period was ¥1,101 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the second-quarter cumulative period was ¥739 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the second-quarter cumulative period.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period was ¥352 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period.」

「At our Central Research Institute, we focus research and development on the paper manufacturing, corrugated packaging, paperboard packaging, flexible packaging, and functional materials businesses and related fields, and are developing original, high-value-added new products and technologies that take the global environment into consideration.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period was ¥1,083 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the third-quarter cumulative period.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the second-quarter cumulative period was ¥724 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the second-quarter cumulative period.」

「The amount spent on the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period was ¥340 million. There were no material changes in the status of the Group's R&D activities during the first-quarter cumulative period.」

「At our Central Research Institute, we focus research and development on the paper manufacturing, corrugated packaging, paperboard packaging, flexible packaging, and functional materials and chemicals businesses and related fields, and are developing original, high-value-added new products and technologies that take the global environment into consideration.」