Fujitex Enters Business Partnership with Tanaka Kensetsu to Promote the 'Tanaka OEC Model' for Recycling Waste Gypsum Board

Fujitex (HQ: Nakano-ku, Tokyo; President: Yusuke Ichimori), an environmental solutions company, has entered into a business partnership with Tanaka Kensetsu (HQ: Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture; President: Hitoshi Tanaka), which operates the 'Tanaka OEC Model,' an integrated recycling business for waste gypsum board and construction soil.

Promoting sustainable resource circulation and building a circular economy are essential strategies for future corporate growth. Focusing on the recycling market for waste gypsum board, which is expected to see a sharp increase in disposal volume, Fujitex has decided to support the nationwide deployment of the 'Tanaka OEC Model' (gypsum-based solidification material manufacturing plant) developed by Tanaka Kensetsu. Through this partnership, the two companies will strongly support the business model transformation of industrial waste processing and recycling companies, contributing to both the solution of worsening environmental issues and the creation of sustainable corporate profits.

■ Background and Purpose of the Partnership: The Growing Gypsum Board Waste Problem and Creating New Markets

Currently, about 1.19 million tons of waste gypsum board are discharged annually in Japan. With a forthcoming wave of building demolitions and reconstructions, this volume is projected to increase approximately 2.9 times over the next 40 years.

Meanwhile, the final disposal rate is high at 28% compared to other industrial wastes, making landfill shortages and rising disposal costs major challenges for the industry. Furthermore, as acceptance volumes by traditional recycling destinations like cement manufacturers are on a downward trend, establishing new, sustainable recycling routes has become an urgent task.

Fujitex has delivered over 5,000 recycling plants and supported companies in solving environmental issues, primarily in the environmental business sector. This partnership offers the innovative 'Tanaka OEC Model' solution to companies nationwide with permits for industrial waste collection or processing. By combining Tanaka Kensetsu's proven technical expertise and field know-how with Fujitex's database of over 30,000 customers and its mobility through eight locations nationwide, the partnership aims to build a new industry standard and ensure the success of customers' new business ventures.

■ Four Benefits of Introducing the 'Tanaka OEC Model'

Tanaka Kensetsu's 'Tanaka OEC Model' is a cutting-edge environmental business model centered on a gypsum-based solidification material (TN series) manufacturing plant, utilizing patented technologies (Patents No. 7644423 and No. 7778346). Introducing this model provides the following overwhelming competitive advantages:

1. High Profitability Through the Shift from 'Reverse Charges (Paying for Disposal)' to 'Monetization'

Waste gypsum board (dihydrate gypsum), which previously incurred disposal costs, is recycled into high-value 'high-quality solidification material.' This establishes a dual revenue structure consisting of 'processing fees (acceptance profit)' and 'solidification material sales profit,' dramatically improving corporate profitability.

2. Production of High-Quality, Low-Cost Solidification Material for Growing Demand

Produced solidification material (TN series) offers higher strength than existing cement/lime-based alternatives while allowing for low-cost manufacturing. As demand for solidification material is trending upward due to rising disaster prevention awareness and infrastructure maintenance, access to a wide range of sales channels is possible, including the production of improved soil from construction surplus soil.

3. Improvement of 'Corporate Value (GX)' Through Contribution to Decarbonization and Environmental Protection

This model eliminates the need for high-temperature firing and allows for distributed deployment across the country. Consequently, CO2 emissions during manufacturing and transportation are reduced by 73% to 93% compared to conventional materials. Because it contributes directly to the extension of landfill life, it allows for not only the company's own GHG reduction but also powerful environmental value proposals to clients (waste generators and construction companies).

4. Reliable One-Stop Support System from Planning to Grant Application

In addition to Tanaka Kensetsu's support from business planning to plant construction and operational support, Fujitex provides one-stop support, including the selection of pre-processing equipment (e.g., gypsum board separators) and auxiliary materials (e.g., flexible container bags), as well as assistance with grant applications for the introduction, minimizing the risk of new entry and capital investment for companies from other industries.

■ Social Significance in a Disaster-Prone Nation and the Construction of Regional Recycling Networks

In an age of frequent natural disasters in Japan, the rapid restoration of disaster-stricken areas is a top priority for protecting people's lives. Rapid recovery is only possible when the 'improved soil' required to rebuild the area and the 'solidification material' needed to create it are available locally and swiftly.

[Track Record] Supporting Recovery from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake

Utilizing this model, we are currently working on recycling 20,000 cubic meters of construction surplus soil. The recycled improved soil is scheduled to be transported to the sites affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and reused as levee embankment, contributing to the recovery of infrastructure in the affected areas.