Provisional Translation

January 20, 2021
Japan Paper Association

Countermeasures against Global Warming aiming at
Net Zero GHG emission from Paper Industry- Long-Term Vision 2050
- Constructing a carbon-neutral industry 1

Table of contents◆ Background to have formulated the long-term vision 2050 ：p3◆ Efforts of the paper industry to address climate change ：p4◆ Outline of the long-term climate response vision 2050 ：pp.5-14◆ Conclusions and Future course of action ：pp15-16

2

Background to have formulated the long-term vision 2050

Ma y 2 0 1 6 :Cabinet Decision on the “Plan for Global W armingCountermeasures”

October 2018:

Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) calls on member companies and associations to consider formulating a “long -term vision”

Aims for 80% GHG emissions reduction by 2050

• Steel, chemical, cement, and other industrial associations have formulated their “long -term visions for GHG emissions reduction”• J P A h a s a l s o s t a r t e d t o c o n s i d e r i t s l o n g - t e r m v i s i o n a t t h e E n e r g y C o m m i t t e e s i n c e Ap r i l 2 0 1 9 .

July 3, 2020:
METI Minister Kajiyama

Declares to start examination of• Fade-out of inefficient coal-fired power generation toward 2030
• Introduction of new regulatory measures and securing the supply capacity necessary for a stable supply

Will consider creating specific measures to induce prompt withdrawal of inefficient coal-fired power plants
October 26, 2020:
PM Suga

Declares carbon neutrality by 2050

October 26, 2020:
METI Minister Kajiyama

Declares to discuss the path toward carbon neutrality by 2050 intensively at the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy and theGreen Innovation Strategy Meeting, and to formulate an action plan by year-end.

November 9, 2020:
Keidanren

Announces “New Growth Strategy,” and declares to fulfill “ Carbon Neutrality by 2050” through green growth initiatives
Five agenda items for “ Green Growth Initiatives” are (1) to accelerate innovations toward a carbon-free society, (2) to prioritize assistance for competitive
renewable energies, (3) to utilize nuclear power generation to achieve both carbon-free and economics, (4) to increase electrification, and (5) to form a
coalition of Green Growth countries(Japan Business Federation)

December 25, 2020:
Japanese Government

Announces the “Green Growth Strategy towards 2050 Carbon Neutrality” as an action plan directed toward carbon neutrality. Lists specific time periods
and targets for carbon-free power generation, hydrogen, fuel ammonia, batteries, carbon recycling, offshore wind power, and other major items essential
for achieving the carbon neutrality, and mentions regulatory standards and other institutional streamlining, support measures for actual implementation,and international cooperation

3

Efforts of the paper industry to address climate change•

FY2008-2012: Reduced fossil energy intensity and CO2 emission intensity under the “Voluntary Action Plan on theEnvironment”
Fossil energy intensity (target: 20% reduction from FY1990; actual: 24.8%)
CO2 emissions intensity (target: 16% reduction from FY1990; actual: 20.3%)•

Since FY2013: Formulated “Low Carbon Society Action Plan” with fossil energy-derived CO2 reduction targets andhave been working for them. Annual follow-up on the progress; going well toward the planned 2030 reduction(3.95 million ton reduction from FY2013)
Table. History and plan of fossil energy -derived CO 2 emissions reduction in paper industry
Emissions (104 t/y)Reductions (104 t/y)Base year: FY2013

Reduction %against FY2013

FY2013 actual

1,880

ー

ー

FY2019 actual

1,658

222

11.8

FY2030 plan

1,485

395

21.0

(Formulated in FY2019)*As for GHG, about 2 million tons of CO 2 is emitted from waste, apart from the fossil
energy-derived (FY2013).

4

Outline of the long-term vision 2050
Title:Countermeasures against Global Warming aiming at Net Zero GHG emission from Paper Industry
Subtitle: Constructing a carbon-neutral industry
Slogan: The paper industry supports the government's declaration of “net zero GHG emissions by 2050” and,in order to help maintain a sustainable global environment, will actively work on measures to reduce
CO2 emissions to construct a carbon-neutral industry by 2050.
Efforts toward a carbon-neutral industry
Ⅰ. Zero CO2 emissions from production activities by promoting energy efficiency andfuel conversion
1.
2.
3.
4.

Actively introduce the latest energy-efficient facilities and technologies
Increase the utilization ratio of renewable energies in in-house power plants
Promote the development of innovative technologies related to paper manufacturing
Actively adopt energy-related innovative technologies

Efforts toward contributing to carbon-neutral society

Net zero CO 2 emissions
from production
activities
Reduce 21 million tons of CO2 (base year:
FY2013), including the fossil energy-derived
and waste-derived GHG

Ⅱ. Reduce CO2 emissions from product life cycles by developing environment-friendly
materials
1. Realize societal implementation of cellulose nanofiber
2. Promote use of paper materials replacing fossil-derived plastic packaging materials
3. Make conversion from fossil-derived products to bioplastic materials and biochemicals

Ⅲ. Expand contribution in afforestation as a source of CO2 absorption
1. Promote sustainable forest management
2. Promote forest tree breeding with high environmental adaptability and high growth

Additional CO 2 reduction
besides production
activities

5Ⅰ. Zero CO2 emissions from production activities by promoting energy efficiency
and fuel conversion
We aim for the achievement of net zero CO2 emissions from production activities by 2050 through energy efficiency efforts, fuelconversion from fossil fuels, introduction of renewable energy facilities, and development and early introduction of innovativetechnologies mainly in the production of paper and paperboard. (rough target: 21 million ton reduction from FY2013)

1.

Promote energy efficiency efforts by actively introducing the latest energy-efficient facilities and technologies
It is presumed that the continual energy efficiency efforts to this date enable us to expect around 20% CO2 emissions reduction fromproduction activities by 2050. (rough target: 20% or 4.2 million ton reduction from FY2013)

2.

Increase the utilization ratio of renewable energies in in-house power plants

To convert energy source from fossil to renewable, it is necessary to secure stable wood and other biomass resources for the in-housethermal power generation facilities and to introduce hydro, solar, wind, and other non-thermal in-house power plants. (rough target: 40%
or 8.4 million ton reduction from FY2013)

3. Take on the challenge of commercializing innovative technologies related to paper manufacturing
Regarding the large energy-consuming processes of kraft pulp chip digestion, black liquor enrichment, lime baking, and drying at paper
machine, we will revisit previous R&D outcomes and explore new useful technologies for energy efficiency, energy conversion, and heatrecovery and take on the challenge of their commercialization. (rough target: 10% or 2.1 million ton reduction from FY2013)

4. Actively adopt energy-related innovative technologies
We will study possibilities of applying to the paper industry the energy-related innovations under validation in other industries, and also
promote the use of carbon-neutral fuels and electricity. (rough target: 30% or 6.3 million ton reduction from FY2013)6

Ⅰ-1. Promote energy efficiency efforts by actively introducing the latest energy-efficientfacilities and technologies
It is presumed that the continual energy efficiency efforts to this date enable us to expect around 20% CO2 emissions reduction
from production activities by 2050. (rough target: 20% or 4.2 million ton reduction from FY2013)
1) Introduce latest energy-efficient equipment and technologies (BAT: Best Available Technologies)
2) Review manufacturing processes (integration, shortening, etc.)
3) Intensify energy management (introduction of energy management systems, etc.)

CO2 reduction percentage from FY2013•

100
Reduction rate (%)

Even before 2030, no conventional
coal boilers shall be introduced
for expansion or renew al.

80

Ta k e o n t h e c h a l l e n g e o f C O 2
reduction including newmeasures other thanc o n ve n t i o n a l e n e r g y e f f i c i e n c y( S e e f o l l ow i n g p a g e s )60
40

FY2 0 3 0
P l a nne d

FY2 0 2 0E x pe c te d

20

0
2020

★

r e duc ti on★ 2thr0 %oughc onti nue dc onve nti ona l e ne r gy
e ffi c i e nc y e ffor ts

2030

2040

Fi s c a l ye a r

2050

7

Ⅰ-2. Increase the utilization ratio of renewable energies in in-house power plants
To convert from fossil energy to renewable at the in-house thermal power plants, it is essential to secure stable wood and other biomass
resources and develop the technology to use them as fuel efficiently. Besides the thermal power plants, it is necessary to actively
introduce hydro, solar, wind, and other renewable energy-based in-house power plants. (rough target: 40% or 8.4 million ton reduction
from FY2013)
1) Secure stable supply of wood biomass for fuel from within Japan and abroad2) Develop and introduce biomass fuel technology(white pellets and black pellets)

3) Introduce renewable energy-based power plants such as hydro, solar, wind, ocean, and geothermal
EnergyComposition of Paper Industry in 20192019年度の製紙業のエネルギー構成

Energy Composition of Paper Industry in 2050 (Assumption)

2050年に想定される製紙業のエネルギー構成

重油 5.4％
fuel oil
ガス、購入電力他
RPF・wasteRPF・廃プラ他
plastic etc.
gas, purchased power
etc. (carbon neutral)（カーボンニュートラル）

RPF・waste plastic
etc.
RPF・廃プラ他

9.0％

10.8％
biomass,hydro etc.
バイオマス・水力他

waste
廃棄物

waste
廃棄物

coal
石炭

10.8％

10.0％

25.6％

gross
energy総エネルギー

fossil化石

480,618TJ

45.7％

renewable
再生可能

43.4％

gas
ガス

black liquor
黒液

33.4％

6.4％
購入電力他
purchased power etc.
8.3％

木質

woody
バイオマス・
biomass,hydro etc.

水力他

36.8％

購入
purchased<Assumptions for the 2050 graph>
①

17.0％

9.0％ 17.0％

②
③

gross
energy総エネルギー④

288,063TJ
renewable
再生可能

74.0％

black
liquor黒液

Total energy requirement is calculated from estimatedproduction volume and energy intensity of paper andpaperboard in 2050.
Purchased gas and electricity are carbon neutral.
Waste energy is about half the amount in FY2019 and mostly
carbon neutral.
Black liquor energy is down in proportion to the change inproduction from FY2019 to FY2050.

We will work to raise the use ratio of biomass fuel37.1％

( i.e. )Biomass, hydro, etc.:
From 10.0% (FY2019) to 36.8%(FY2050)

8Ⅰ-3. Take on the challenge of commercializing innovative technologies
related to paper manufacturing
Regarding the large energy-consuming processes of kraft pulp chip digestion, black liquor enrichment, lime baking, and drying at paper
machine, we will revisit previous R&D outcomes and explore new useful innovative technologies for energy efficiency, energy
conversion, and heat recovery and take on the challenge of their commercialization. (rough target: 10% or 2.1 million ton reduction from
FY2013)
1) Electrify paper machine dryers and kilns (use carbon-neutral electricity instead of fossil energy)2) Improve energy efficiency in the dryer by lowering water content entering the dryer (press process)3) Develop high-efficiency pulping method
4) Develop energy-efficient black liquor enrichment equipment
5) Develop economical waste heat recovery technologies related to dryer hoods and paper machine wastewater etc..

Energy Consumption at Pulping Process （Tbtu) in U.S.A in
2002＜出典＞ERNEST ORLANDO LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL

Energy Consumption at Paper Making Process（Tbtu) in U.S.A in 2002

LABORATORY “Energy Efficiency

Improvement and Cost Saving Opportunities for the Pulp and Paper Industry” October 2009

＜出典＞ERNEST ORLANDO LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONALLABORATORY“Energy Efficiency Improvement and Cost Saving Opportunities for the Pulp andPaper Industry” October 2009

Log Processing
Digestion
Tree Crusher(Grinder, Refiner)
Cleaning (Screen, Cleaner)Black Liquor Concentration(Evaporator)
Castigation, Lime Burning(Kiln)

Red bars represent
processes with large
energy consumption andbig potential for energy
efficiency improvement

Wet endPress
Dryer
Coating

Bleaching
Recycled Pulp

Super CalenderComparison of energy consumption in pulping and papermaking processes9Ⅰ-4. Actively adopt energy-related innovative technologies
We will study possibilities of applying to the paper industry the energy-related innovations now under validation inother industries, and also promote the use of carbon-neutral fuels and electricity. (rough target: 30% or 6.3 million
ton reduction from FY2013)
1) Introduce CCS and CCUS technologies (carbon capture and storage; carbon capture, utilization, and storage)- Capture of CO2 from a boiler using black liquor, wood biomass, and other carbon-neutral fuels represents “negative emissions.”＜Negative emission＞＜zero emission＞
Absorption

CO

Emission Chemicals
recovery2Black liquor recovery boiler
Digestion

Capture absorption

A generic term for technologies that not only reduce CO2
emissions but also capture and remove the CO2
historically emitted and accumulated in the atmosphere

CCS
DigestionBlackliquor

pulp

CO2 removal fromatmosphere

CO2

Emission< Negative emissions >pulp

CO2 emission from black liquor recovery boiler
2) Use energy of carbon-neutral gas and waste plastics- Use carbon-neutral hydrogen and methane gas in thermal power plant- Introduce fuel cell power generation (by electrochemical reaction of CO2-free hydrogen and oxygen)- Use carbon-neutral waste plastic products
3) Expand use of purchased carbon-neutral power- Promote electrification of boilers and other heat sources using carbon-neutral electricity

CCS Demonstration Project in Tomakomai＜Source＞ “The CCS Demonstration Project is underway in Tomakomai”(Japan CCS Co., Ltd.)

10

Ⅱ. Reduce CO2 emissions from product life cycles by developing
environment-friendly materials (1)Contribute to creating a carbon-neutral society by reducing CO2 from product life cycles (“LC”) using carbon-neutral,environment-friendly materials derived from wood biomass. (rough target: 4.2 million ton reduction, corresponding to
20% of paper industry emissions in FY2013)

1. Reduce CO2 emissions in LC by societal implementation of cellulose nanofiber (“CNF”)
CNF is lightweight and has high strength properties and excellent thermal expansion, making it possible to develop a wide range of applications.
Particularly, CNF composite materials, compounded with resins and rubber, are lightweight and have high strength properties.
For example, they could reduce automobile weight and thus are expected to reduce CO2 significantly in LC in terms of fueleconomy improvement and others. Besides automotive products, CNF could also contribute to reducing CO2 emissions in LC as building
materials and home appliances.

100

12

Disposal

CO2 reduction effect

80
Use

60

8

20

2

Materials
production

0
比較対象製品

0
環境対応製品

2030年(Reference)• Fuel economy improvement by weight reduction of automotive components by CNF: 2.11 million tons
(World market in 2035)• Higher insulation housing materials by CNF: about 0.3 million tons (Japanese market in 2035)• Higher insulation of electric home appliances by CNF: about 0.25 million tons (Japanese market in2035, per appliance category)

×

＝

4

Processing

CO2 reduction effect
Eco products
sales quantity

6

Transportation

40

10

Eco products
sales quantity

2040年

2050年

CO2 reduction in LC<source>
Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry
FY2018 MOE commissioned study: “Report on the
Outcomes of Commissioned Work Concerning Assessment
and Validation of CO2 Emissions Reduction by the Utilizationof CNF”

11

Ⅱ. Reduce CO2 emissions from product life cycles by developing
environment-friendly materials (2)2. Reduce CO2 emissions through use of paper materials replacing fossil-derived plastic packaging materials
Develop use of paper-based packaging materials, replacing
the conventional high-performance fossil-derived plastic
materials having oxygen- or vapor-barrier properties toprevent degradation of the content.
In comparison with fossil-derived products, CO2 reduction
effect is expected especially in after use.

100

80

CO2 reduction effect

Disposal

60
40
20

Processing

CO2 emissions in transportation
and use phases are omitted
because of no difference

Materials
production

0
Environment-conscious
環境対応製品
product

Product
to be compared
比較対象製品<Reference>
Nippon Paper Group
Official website

CO2 emissions per unit area of packaging material (control product = 100)

3. Reduce CO2 emissions through conversion from fossil-derived products to bioplastics and biochemicals
Conversion from conventional fossil-derived chemicals to
non-edible wood biomass-based bioplastics and biochemicals
100
is expected to suppress CO2 emission into the atmosphere.
CO2 reduction effect80(Examples)
Cellulose: To produce fuel ethanol, polylactic acid, PE, and othergeneral-purpose resins
Hemicellulose: To produce furfural for production of general-purpose
resins (such as polyurethane and PET)
Lignin: To develop new applications such as additive, in addition to theconventional phenol resin applications for automobiles etc.

Disposal

60
40
20

Materials
production

0
Product
to be compared
比較対象製品

CO2 emissions in processing,transportation, and use phases
are omitted because of nodifference

Environment-conscious
環境対応製品
product

CO2 emissions per resin unit weight (control product = 100)

12

Ⅲ. Expand contribution in afforestation as a source of CO2 absorption(1)

The paper industry is in a good position to ensure sustainable forest management and continual development ofafforestation technology and thus contribute to CO2 absorption and fixation by forests. We will actively promote
such efforts also to secure stable supply of wood biomass.
1. Promote sustainable forest management• Promote sustainable forest management, including conservation of biodiversity, through sound management of the owned
forests and thus promote CO2 absorption and fixation• Duly assess the entire amount of CO2 stored in owned forests, both planted and natural, and reflect the results in CO2
absorption calculation
An illustration of industrial
Changes in absorption and emissions(illustrative)

afforestation

Sun

Felling and planting at the right age
are effective for CO2 absorption
Absorption by Photosynthesis

Change ofCarbonContent

O2

Manage forests sustainably
through good cycle of planting
and logging

Large CO2 absorption
because of many young
trees

Harvesting in ninth year → Reforestation

CO2

Year 1

Emission by Absorption
Immobilized amount of CO2

Year 2

Year 7

Year 3
Year 6
Year 5

Year 4Age of Tree

Source: Forest Research and Management Organization

13

Ⅲ. Expand contribution in afforestation as a source of CO2 absorption (2)2. Promote forest tree breeding with high environmental adaptability and high growth・ Develop and introduce superior tree species that are highly adaptable to the planting site and havea high growth rate to contribute to greater CO2 absorption and fixation per forest area
Average annual growth and CO2 storageof planted trees (illustrative)
Conventional species
High growth species
Storage delta

CO2 storage
Eucalyptus artificial breeding (from Nippon
Paper Group official website)

Age

DNA analysis (from Nippon Paper Group
official website)

Soil survey (from Oji Holdings official
website)14

Conclusions—Toward achieving the long-term vision•

JPA sets out its long-term vision toward constructing a carbon-neutral industry by 2050 in the paperindustry, to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050 and thus maintain a sustainable global
environment.

•

For the realization of the Vision, introduction of future innovative technologies is essential besides
the application and deployment of currently best available technologies. However, the road map is notnecessarily clear, and the numbers mentioned are “rough targets.”•

Apart from the technological development, there are many challenges to be tackled such as the costburden required to achieve this Vision and the impact on the price competitiveness of the products
from a global perspective. It is also necessary to ensure information sharing with the general public about
the paper industry’s environmental efforts.

Toward achieving our long-term Vision•This Vision will be presented to relevant JPA committees for the detailed discussions on more
concrete technical matters and on any necessary modifications.

•

We look forward to any support from the government and relevant organizations regarding
introduction and promotion of various innovative technologies and renewable energies.

15

Future course of action•

January 20, 2021: Deliberate at the JPA Board meeting•

From February 2021: Energy Committee and Technical Committee jointly discuss details and concrete steps on Chapters Ⅰ and Ⅱ

Submit to Keidanren after approval. Announce on JPA website

and draw up a road map for each study item including feasibility outlook (by March 2022). Forestry Committee with some others
start discussions on Chapter Ⅲ Afforestation.

Study items
Ⅰ. Reduce CO2 emissions by promoting energy efficiency andfuel conversion in production activities
1. Actively introduce the best available energy-efficient facilities and technologies
2. Increase use of renewable and waste-derived energies
3. Take on the challenge for commercialization of innovative technologies related
to paper manufacturing
4. Actively adopt energy-related innovative technologies

Methodologies
1. Grasp current status through follow-up surveys on global warming
countermeasures and other means
2. Survey on biomass fuel (study possibility of forming a consortium)
3. Research on overseas technology, and develop strategy for development
contracting and commercialization
4. Survey on CCS and CCUS (study possibility of forming a consortium)

II. Reduce CO2 emissions from product life cycles by developing
environment-friendly materials
1. Realize societal implementation of cellulose nanofiber
2. Develop paper containers and others replacing plastics
3. Develop biochemicals to enable conversion from petroleum-based raw
materials

Grasp the progress of commercialization at member companies and examine
the possibility of cooperation with other industries

Ⅲ. Expand contribution in afforestation as a source of CO2 absorption
1. Promote sustainable forest management
2. Promote forest tree breeding with high environmental adaptability and highgrowthFollow-up the progress by Forestry Committee, Overseas Afforestation
Committee, and other related committees

16