#Japan #Osaka #circular economy #Osaka Expo #Nakadai Holdings

Nakadai Holdings and Circular Design at Osaka Expo

In a groundbreaking initiative, Nakadai Holdings, through its subsidiary Monofactory, will be actively participating in the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. This exciting collaboration is centered around the theme week titled "Scientific Manga Survival," running from September 23 to 29, 2025. The aim is to promote an engaging understanding of the circular economy through the "Circular Economy Research Institute," organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Pioneering Circular Design

Monofactory has been involved in the design phase of exhibition items from the very beginning. This involvement allows for the careful selection of materials that are suitable for recycling, as well as the pre-selection of recycling partners to ensure that materials can be effectively processed post-exhibition. This proactive approach addresses the longstanding issue within the exhibition industry where a large number of display items are often discarded as industrial waste after events conclude.

Key Contributions:
1. Material Selection: Advising on materials that can be easily disassembled or recycled from the design stage onward, ensuring that this practical guidance is reflected in the production of exhibition items.
2. Establishing Recycling Flow: To guarantee successful reprocessing of materials, Monofactory is setting up a clear recycling flow in advance, including the selection of qualified recycling partners, ensuring a seamless consultation service from design through to recycling.
3. Visualizing Outcomes: Using Circular Insight, the effectiveness of how each exhibition piece contributes to the recycling process will be quantitatively assessed and made transparent.
4. Collaboration with Partner Companies: Following the exhibition, Monofactory will work on demonstrating how the entire process—from the arterial stage of design and use to the venous stage of collection and recycling—can be effectively connected.

This collaboration also involves several companies that are leveraging innovative technologies:

• - RadarLab Inc. will provide digital product passports (DPP) that catalogue material information and recycling methods for each exhibition item.
• - Sato Co. will implement a traceability system to manage the disassembly and recycling processes of the exhibition displays.
• - Monofactory will ensure that circular design principles are incorporated from the very start, extending to vendor selection for a cohesive operational scheme.

Addressing the Historical Waste Challenge

In the past, one of the major struggles within the exhibition sector has been the disposal of assets as waste following the end of events. The theme week initiative signifies a shift from the traditional approach of addressing waste management only after exhibitions conclude towards an integrated method that prioritizes resource circulation from the outset. Monofactory’s participation in this project is crucial in promoting the implementation of circular design.

The Social Impact of This Initiative

The Expo represents an international platform where Nakadai Holdings can present a model case of a circular exhibition. This is particularly meaningful as it tackles the structural issue of mass waste disposal associated with exhibitions. By systematically intertwining the aspects of waste processing (‘venous’) and design, planning, and production (‘arterial’), this initiative could pave the way for similar strategies across various fields beyond exhibitions.

Future Path

Looking ahead, Monofactory aims to leverage this endeavor to accelerate resource circulation within the exhibition industry. Following the Expo, the results of this initiative will be documented and a subsequent press release with partner companies will be issued. Ultimately, Monofactory envisions a future where "designing with an emphasis on circulation" becomes a standard expectation in the broader event and exhibition landscape.

Conclusion

With its significant efforts in establishing a circular economy model at such a high-profile event, Nakadai Holdings and Monofactory are leading the way toward a more sustainable future in the exhibition industry. For more information about Monofactory and its initiatives, visit their website at Monofactory.

Ultimately, this innovative approach not only reflects the growing need for sustainability but also establishes a pivotal change in how exhibitions are conceived and executed in the future, with more emphasis on environmental consciousness and resource management.