Okayama First: Environmentally Conscious Recycled Aggregate "Eco Bone" Sales Begin ~Achieving 50% Cost Reduction from Natural Aggregate and Simultaneous CO2 Adsorption and Fixation~

Yoshihara Kiko Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Okayama City, Kita Ward, Okayama Prefecture; Representative Director: Tadashi Yoshihara; hereinafter referred to as "the Company"), which has been engaged in industrial waste treatment and recycling business in Okayama City for 40 years, will commence sales of "Eco Bone," an environmentally conscious recycled aggregate manufactured from construction waste, on May 1, 2026.

"Eco Bone" is made from waste concrete generated from demolition work, etc., and achieves aggregate quality for recycled aggregate concrete M-standard through our unique processing technology. It simultaneously achieves a 50% cost reduction compared to natural aggregate and CO2 adsorption and fixation, contributing to the decarbonization and resource circulation of the construction industry.

【Background of Development: Three Challenges Facing the Construction Industry】

Challenge 1: Depletion and Price Surge of Natural Aggregate

Aggregate (gravel and sand) is an essential material for the construction industry as the main component of concrete and asphalt. However, the amount of extractable natural aggregate resources in Japan is decreasing, and price surges and future supply anxieties are becoming more serious.

As of 2026, the price of natural aggregate in Okayama Prefecture is around 2,500 to 3,000 yen per ton, an increase of approximately 1.5 times compared to 10 years ago, which is a factor pushing up overall construction costs.

Challenge 2: Construction Waste Disposal Problem

According to a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, construction waste accounts for about 20% of all industrial waste. With the enforcement of the Construction Recycling Law, the recycling rate of concrete lumps has achieved over 98% as recycled crushed stone. However, in urban areas where infrastructure is already well-developed, demand for recycled crushed stone is low, and much of it is stockpiled. It is then transported by ship or vehicle to rural areas. The conventional resource circulation model is beginning to collapse.

Challenge 3: Demand for Decarbonization in the Construction Industry

Towards the realization of carbon neutrality by 2050, reducing CO2 emissions is an urgent issue for the construction industry. In particular, the manufacturing of cement, a raw material for ready-mixed concrete, requires a combustion process that emits a large amount of CO2. Against this backdrop, efforts are currently being promoted by industry, government, and academia to utilize materials that reduce and fix CO2 emissions equivalent to those generated during manufacturing in ready-mixed concrete, thereby reducing total emissions. (Reference: Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Building a Decarbonized Society with Concrete and Cement!? Circulating Resources and CO2 through Technological Innovation)

【5 Features of "Eco Bone"】

Feature 1: 50% Cost Reduction from Natural Aggregate

Since "Eco Bone" is made from waste concrete, it achieves significant cost reduction compared to natural aggregate.

Price Comparison (2025, Okayama Prefecture Market Price)

For example, if all the coarse aggregate used per 1m3 of ready-mixed concrete is replaced with "Eco Bone," a cost reduction of approximately 1,500 yen per m3 is possible.

Feature 2: Contributes to Decarbonization through CO2 Fixation, Also Benefits Environmental Preservation

In "Eco Bone," the mortar attached to the aggregate reacts chemically with carbon dioxide in the air and adsorbs it, thus fixing approximately 12-13 kg of CO2 per ton of aggregate. (Measurement results by TG-DTA method in December 2025)

Breakdown of Environmental Preservation

• Prevents environmental destruction caused by deforestation for the excavation of natural resources.
• Reduces the amount of waste disposed of in landfills, contributing to the extension of the lifespan of final disposal sites.
• Reduces CO2 emissions by shortening transportation distances (convenient access from the central part of Okayama City).

Corresponding SDGs Goals

• Goal 9 "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation": Innovative concrete aggregate.
• Goal 11 "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable": Use of recycled products.
• Goal 12 "Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns": Waste reduction.
• Goal 13 "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts": CO2 reduction.
• Goal 15 "Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss": Conservation of natural resources.

Feature 3: High Quality and Stable Supply Compliant with JIS Standards

Through our unique processing technology and quality control based on 40 years of experience, we achieve quality based on JIS standards.

Quality Control System

• Quality inspections are conducted in compliance with JIS A 5022 standards.
• Regular quality tests (oven-dry density, water absorption, sieve analysis, etc.) in our own testing laboratory.
• Passed quality audits by ACRAC (Recycled Aggregate Concrete Promotion Council) and JQA.
• Optimized particle size distribution ensures uniform quality.

Product Lineup

Feature 4: Annual Processing Capacity of 100,000 Tons and Same-Day Delivery System

Our recycling center has an annual processing capacity of 100,000 tons, establishing a stable supply system capable of handling large-scale projects.

Strengths of the Supply System

• Track record of over 3.5 million tons processed cumulatively.
• Flexible delivery system using our own vehicles.
• If in stock, delivery can be made on the same day for orders placed by noon.
• Supports minimum order lots from 2 tons.
• Delivery possible throughout Okayama Prefecture, and to eastern Hiroshima and western Hyogo.

Feature 5: Integrated System from Collection to Processing and Recycling

Our strength lies in our comprehensive capabilities, allowing us to handle construction waste collection, transportation, intermediate treatment, and recycling in-house.

Benefits of an Integrated System

• Reduces the hassle of coordinating between companies by handling industrial waste treatment and aggregate manufacturing within a single company.
• Ensures traceability from raw materials to finished products.
• Minimizes costs due to the absence of intermediate margins.
• Thorough quality control throughout all processes.

Customers have commented, "It's efficient as it saves the trouble of dealing with multiple companies."

【Our Strengths: 40 Years of Business and 98% Customer Satisfaction】

Trust and achievements built over 40 years supporting Okayama's construction industry.

Yoshihara Kiko Co., Ltd. has supported Okayama's construction industry for 40 years since its establishment.

Performance Data

Reasons for 98% Customer Satisfaction

In a customer satisfaction survey conducted in 2025, we received a high rating of 98% satisfaction (61 out of 62 responding companies answered "satisfied"). We also achieved a 98% recommendation rate (61 companies answered "would recommend to others").

Navigate to the official Yoshihara Kiko page.

Points of Appreciation from Customers

Introduction of Electronic Contract System Ahead of the Industry

While approximately 80% of the industrial waste treatment industry uses paper-based contracts, we have promptly introduced an electronic contract system, improving customer service and operational efficiency.

Benefits of Electronic Contracts

• Reduces contract finalization time from 7 days to 1 day.
• Eliminates stamp duty and postage costs.
• Documents are centrally managed in the cloud.
• Tamper-proof functions ensure full compliance.

We have received numerous comments from customers such as, "It was helpful to be able to finalize contracts quickly even for urgent construction projects."

【Product Overview】

Product Details URL: https://yoshiharakiko.co.jp/

【Implementation Examples and Potential Application Scenarios】

Application Scenario 1: Cost Reduction in Civil Engineering Work

In civil engineering projects that use large amounts of concrete, such as land development and road construction, using recycled concrete made with "Eco Bone" for suitable applications can reduce material costs.

Application Scenario 2: Use in Residential Exterior Work

Recycled concrete using "Eco Bone" is also useful in residential exterior work, such as for floor concrete in parking lots and gardens. It can be used for small-scale projects as well.

Application Scenario 3: Possible with Eco Bone - Use in Concrete Secondary Products

"Eco Bone," which guarantees M-grade quality for recycled aggregate, can 100% replace natural crushed stone as coarse aggregate for concrete secondary products.

"Eco Bone" is not just an alternative for cost reduction. The stance of taking responsibility for the disposal process of manufactured products (reusing them as recycled aggregate) is an advanced and very clear environmental conservation initiative. We can propose a unique circular model to our customers that takes responsibility not only for "manufacturing" but also for subsequent "disposal."

【Future Outlook】

Through the sale of "Eco Bone," we aim to contribute to the decarbonization and resource circulation of the construction industry.

FY2026 Goals

• Promote adoption by concrete plants and secondary product manufacturers.
• Promote adoption by construction companies in Okayama Prefecture.
• Promote adoption by administrative agencies.

Outlook from FY2027 Onwards

• Expand product lineup (finer particle sizes, fine aggregate).
• Strengthen supply system by increasing processing capacity.
• Expand sales area to the entire Chugoku region.
• Quantify carbon footprint and obtain third-party certification.

We will continue to work towards the realization of a sustainable society, guided by our philosophy of "Coexistence of Natural Environment and Social Development."

【Company Profile】

【Corporate Philosophy】

"To be the starting point for the coexistence of the natural environment and social development."

Waste is inevitably generated as society progresses.

We view this not as an "end," but as the "beginning of new resources."

Destruction transforms into the power to create the future.

We will continue to design sustainable development, becoming the starting point for this comfortable cycle.

【Contact Information for Inquiries】

Yoshihara Kiko Co., Ltd.

Contact: Hiroshi Yoshihara (Vice President)

E-mail: h_yoshihara@yoshihara-g.co.jp

Main Phone: 086-284-1172

Business Hours: 7:30-17:00 (Mon-Sat) *Break 12:00-13:00

Closed: Golden Week, Obon, New Year holidays

Navigate to the official Yoshihara Kiko page.

【Information for Media Interviews and Factory Tours】

We welcome media interviews and filming at our recycling center. Factory tours and product samples are also available. Media representatives considering coverage on decarbonization in the construction industry or a circular economy are welcome to contact us at the information above.