Press ReleasesCommencing Collaborative Research into Development of Useful Elemental Technology for Biofuel ProductionParticipating in NEDO project to develop efficient forestry technology

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. (President: Yoshio Haga) applied for an open call from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) for parties interested in research on the theme of FY 2013 "Development of Useful Elemental Technology for Biofuel Production Project", and was selected along with Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and Chiba University to undertake the research on the theme of "Research and Development into Increased Woody Biomass Production through Genome breeding and High Efficiency Forestry Operations". This is one of four themes selected, and will constitute an initiative in the field of biomass fuel production technology development.

For an initial period from December 2013 to March 2015 Nippon Paper Industries will conduct collaborative research with Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology and Chiba University, with a view to developing practical applications of woody biomass production appropriate for biofuel, as well as woody biomass volume evaluation technology and selection technology. This collaborative research will utilize eucalypt plantations developed and owned by Nippon Paper Industries Group company AMCEL1 of Brazil. The results obtained from this research will be used promptly to expand the energy business of the company's overseas afforestation program, as well as to strengthen the extensive manufacturing industries including forestry industry for which woody biomass is the main raw material.

Outline of Contract Research

Topic:

Research and Development into Increased Woody Biomass Production through

Genome Breeding and High Efficiency Forestry Operations

Period: FY 2013-FY 2014 (two years)
Researchers:

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (Professor Sakae Shibusawa,

Institute of Agriculture, Department of Environmental and Agricultural Engineering)

Chiba University (Associate Professor Akira Kato, Environmental Science and

Landscape Architecture Course, Graduate School of Horticulture)

  1. 1AMCEL (Amapá Florestal e Celulose S.A.; location: Santana, Amapa, Brazil)
  2. Established in 1976. Engages in afforestation and produces and sells wood chips. Owns land with a total area of 300,000 hectares (130,000 hectares afforestable), and is developing approximately 60,000 hectares for afforestation. The company also sells biomass fuel.