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A pioneer in the development of ECF
technologies
ECF is an environment-friendly bleaching method
with no chlorine gas in its process. This method is now becoming a new global
standard. It is possible to eliminate almost all emissions of AOX, chloroform
and other harmful substances. Nippon Paper Industries is leading company with
ECF bleaching in Japan. In 1996, the first ECF bleaching with chlorine dioxide
in Japan has been introduced in Kushiro Mill. Then in 2001, also the first ozone
ECF bleaching has been introduced in Yufutsu Mill. In 2003, Japan's first advanced
ECF bleaching method, combining high temperature acid treatment with ozone bleaching
introduced in Yatsushiro Mill and further reduction of chemical uses has been
achieved. We will continue to convert all of our mills to ECF bleaching.
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Ozone generator |
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Use of low-grade wastepaper
Low-grade wastepaper contains a lot of contaminants,
which affect the quality of finished products. Therefore, it has only been used
for lower-grade papers.
Through many years of research we have improved deinking technologies and have
raised the percentage of deinked pulp in our products. The average deinked pulp
content of our newsprint is now up to 70%. In the future, we will continue to
develop new technologies to make difficult-to-use wastepaper available as a resource
and promote the conservation of forest resources by reducing the amount of wastepaper
disposal.
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Measurement of residual ink |
 
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Wet-end chemistry
The section from the stock preparation process
to the wet-press is called wet-end. In this section, studies on the flocculation
of raw materials, the control of pitch problems, and also the effect of chemicals
are important to produce high-quality paper.
On-line measurement of
paper structure
The basic quality of paper depends on the
paper structure formed during the wire-part (or wet-end) process of papermaking.
Viewing this as a part of the science of hydrodynamics, Nippon Paper Industries
has created technologies for controlling fiber orientation of paper in this
process; We were also the first company in the world to develop a system for
the on-line measurement of fiber orientation. These technologies enable the stable
manufacture of high-quality paper. |
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Fiber Oriention on Paper Surface
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High-bulk paper
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| Books using high-bulk paper |
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Nippon Paper Industries conducts research
on high-bulk technologies, which make paper light, thick, and soft by optimizing
the raw materials and papermaking processes. By applying these technologies to
a number of applications, we are also developing high-bulk paper of all kinds.
The average density of standard high-grade paper is 0.85g/cm3, but by applying
high-bulk technologies, Nippon Paper Industries has developed 0.60g/cm3 wood-free
book paper Opera Cream Ultra, 0.45g/cm3 medium-grade book paper Leaf Bulky Tough,
and medium-grade 0.35g/cm3 text paper Diamond Bulky. |
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High-bulk book paper (Density 0.60g/cm3) |
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Conventional wood-free paper (Density 0.85g/cm3) |
High-quality newsprint
Nippon Paper Industries is working to achieve
further weight savings and even higher quality in its already world-renowned
newsprint.
In response to increased use of color pages, higher printing speeds, and other
advancements in newspaper printing, we are imbuing our newsprint with top-level
sophistication. In addition, to achieve both environmental soundness and high
quality, we are developing methods to increase wastepaper content and applying
alkaline papermaking technologies.
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Newsprint |
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High-bulk coated paper
Papers gloss is achieved by compacting paper
thickness with a metal roller, and hence paper density must be high. Using
advanced papermaking and coating technologies, Nippon Paper Industries has achieved
a 15-to-20% reduction in density while maintaining equal quality to traditional
products. Our Plumy Gloss-1 has revolutionized conventional knowledge on high-gloss
high-grade coating (A2 gloss).
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Books using high-bulk coated paper |
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Analyses
and research using
advanced instruments
Employing state-of-the-art analytical equipment,
including scanning electron microscopes of all kinds, infrared spectrophotometers,
and mass spectrometries, Nippon Paper Industries analyzes trace element contaminants
and the structure of paper layers as well as the composition and distribution
of paper fillers, pigments, and binders. |
FT-NMR |
Pure bending tester
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In-house development of analyzers
The numerical evaluation of such human perceptions of paper as its touch and appearance was extremely difficult with traditional instruments. Hence, Nippon Paper Industries has developed a pure bending tester to measure the pliancy of paper as well as a scanning microgloss meter to appraise the appearance of coated papers.
Overhead view of paper surface
(By laser microscope)
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FE-SEM |
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| In printing paper,
print quality and printability are crucial. To make its products compatible
with
offset, gravure, and other printing methods, Nippon Paper Industries has assembled
a first-rate evaluation system, featuring equipment from laboratory-scale printing
testers to commercial scale printing presses, as well as computer-to-plate platemakers
to make press plates with optimum test-charts for each experiment. These advantages
allow us to assess our products from the customer’s viewpoint. |
Web offset printing press |
Rotogravure printing press |
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Sheet-fed offset press |
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| Nippon Paper Industries’ pilot plant
capability encompasses all processes from the preparation of raw pulp slurry
through papermaking,
coating, and finishing in an integrated manner. In particular, the plant’s high-speed
coater is used to test newly designed coating color, improve existing products,
and develop new products. We are also undertaking new product development using
our newly installed hot soft nip calender equipment. |
Hot soft nip calender equipment |
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Pilot paper machine |
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High-speed pilot coater |
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