#Japan #Nagoya #circular economy #Chiyoda Ute #Matsuzakaya

Chiyoda Ute's Circular Gypsum Board at Matsuzakaya Nagoya

In an exciting move towards sustainability, Chiyoda Ute Co., Ltd., based in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, is making headlines with their innovative product, the "Chiyoda Circular Gypsum Board." This 100% recycled gypsum board, derived from waste gypsum boards, has been selected for use in the renovation of the Matsuzakaya Nagoya store, a part of the Daimaru Matsuzakaya Department Stores group located in Koto, Tokyo. This decision aligns with Daimaru Matsuzakaya's commitment to enhancing their efforts towards the realization of a circular economy.

The Background: Challenges of Construction Waste

The increasing amount of waste gypsum boards has become a pressing issue, with estimates predicting that the domestic disposal of gypsum boards will reach 2 million tons by 2023 and could exceed 3 million tons by 2047. Despite these alarming figures, the recycling rate remains disappointingly low, and the pressure on controlled final disposal sites poses significant challenges. Additionally, the supply of gypsum material from domestic thermal power plants has decreased, resulting in a dependency on the import of over 2 million tons of natural gypsum each year. This reliance on natural resources raises concerns regarding stable supply risks and environmental sustainability, underscoring the urgent need for the reuse of waste gypsum boards.

Features and Benefits of Chiyoda Circular Gypsum Board

Chiyoda's Circular Gypsum Board stands out in the market by utilizing 100% recycled gypsum sourced from waste gypsum boards. The manufacturing process employs a wood biomass boiler for thermal energy and power generated from renewable sources, achieving a practical carbon-neutral outcome. In the upcoming renovation at Matsuzakaya Nagoya, scheduled from April to August 2025, the transition from traditional gypsum boards to Chiyoda's new product will lead to a remarkable 63.3% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The transition will significantly lower landfill waste and CO₂ emissions, making it a key player in the next generation of building materials. Here’s a brief overview of the impact:

Promoting Horizontal Recycling of Waste Gypsum Boards

Chiyoda Ute proposes that waste gypsum boards should not merely be discarded but should be viewed as valuable recycling resources. In the case of the Matsuzakaya Nagoya renovation, the waste gypsum boards generated during the dismantling process will be collected by Tokuyama Chiyoda Gypsum, a joint venture with Tokuyama Corporation. They employ a proprietary technology called "Continuous Crystallization Technology for Waste Gypsum" to recycle and produce the gypsum used in the Chiyoda Circular Gypsum Board, ensuring that the project aligns with Daimaru Matsuzakaya’s initiatives to foster a circular economy.

Through this recycling scheme, efforts to reduce waste and contribute to a sustainable society are accelerating.

Commitment to Sustainability

Chiyoda Ute is committed to leading the construction industry towards a circular economy by promoting the horizontal recycling of waste gypsum boards. Their vision emphasizes providing the most environmentally friendly gypsum boards and building solutions in a fully recyclable world. Furthermore, they have placed the construction of a sustainable society as a core business challenge and are actively pursuing their unique initiative called "CHIYODA VISION ZERO."

As they continue to innovate and develop new technologies, Chiyoda Ute remains dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry and advancing toward a resource-circulating society.