Rengo has started a field trial with Japanese startup UnityStep AI to optimise paperboard roll storage layout at its Tonegawa plant in Ibaraki prefecture, aiming to cut truck loading times. The pilot began on 23 October 2026 and builds on an RFID shipment management system Rengo installed at its Yodogawa distribution centre in September 2021. Rengo will compare loading times and forklift travel against current practice before deciding whether to extend the system to other plants.
Why this mattersA producer with about 22% of Japan's containerboard output applying optimisation models to roll storage shows mills targeting dispatch logistics and truck waiting times, not only production.
- Rengo holds about 22% share of Japan's domestic containerboard production
- Trial started 23 October 2026 at Rengo's Tonegawa plant in Bando, Ibaraki prefecture
- Partner UnityStep AI was certified a University of Tokyo Matsuo Lab-linked startup in December 2025
- The system uses demand-forecasting and optimisation models on warehouse shipment data to cut forklift travel and rehandling
- Rengo installed an RFID-based roll shipment management system at its Yodogawa distribution centre in September 2021
- Rengo plans to compare loading times and forklift logs against current practice before deciding on wider rollout
Rengo, Japan's largest corrugated board maker, said on 13 October 2026 it will raise prices for paperboard, corrugated board and converted paper products by 10% or more from deliveries on 1 January 2027. The company cited cost increases from global inflation, higher interest rates and Middle East tensions that it says can no longer be absorbed internally. Specific terms will be set individually with each customer.
Why this mattersA double-digit increase from Japan's leading corrugated producer raises packaging input costs for e-commerce and other box users across the market.
- Rengo announced the increase on 13 October 2026
- Price rise applies to paperboard, corrugated board, corrugated boxes and kraft pulp products
- Increase is 10% or more on current prices
- Takes effect for deliveries from 1 January 2027
- Rengo previously requested a price revision from customers in July 2025
- Exact terms will be set per customer based on trading conditions
Thai Containers Group, Rengo's joint venture in Thailand, has approved acquisition of a 90% stake in Jin Zhong Fa Paper Industrial, a corrugated packaging manufacturer with one plant in Chonburi Province. The deal takes the Rengo Group's corrugated plant count in Thailand to 16, alongside three flexible packaging plants and one heavy duty packaging plant already run through the joint venture.
Why this mattersThe deal extends Rengo's Southeast Asian corrugated footprint, a region the group has flagged as a strategic priority for overseas growth.
- Thai Containers Group, Rengo's joint venture in Thailand, will acquire 90% of Jin Zhong Fa Paper Industrial.
- Jin Zhong Fa operates one corrugated plant in Chonburi Province, central Thailand.
- The acquisition raises the Rengo Group's corrugated plant count in Thailand to 16.
- Through the joint venture the group also operates three flexible packaging plants and one heavy duty packaging plant in Thailand.
Japanese chemicals maker DKS and packaging group Rengo have jointly developed a process converting cellulose offcuts from Rengo's cellophane manufacturing into polysaccharide esters suitable for transparent moulded products. DKS said its low-CO2 esterification technology used in the process cuts emissions by 68% compared with a conventional production route, and the companies now plan to pursue commercialisation and new applications.
Why this mattersA lower-carbon route to reuse cellophane manufacturing scrap could extend the material's relevance as packaging makers seek biomass alternatives to fossil-based plastics.
- DKS announced the jointly developed process with Rengo on 18 September 2026
- The process converts cellulose offcuts from slit processing in Rengo's cellophane manufacturing into polysaccharide esters
- DKS's low-CO2 esterification technology cuts emissions by 68% versus a conventional process, per company estimate
- The resulting material can be formed into transparent moulded products via heating and compression moulding
- DKS's Tatsuya Namba said the company plans to advance commercialisation and application development
SCG Packaging has completed acquisition of a 90% stake in Jin Zhong Fa Paper Industrial (JZF), a corrugated containers producer in Chonburi, Thailand, for Baht 68 million. The deal adds 28,000 tonnes of annual production capacity and expands SCGP's customer base among fruit exporters to China. JZF's results will be consolidated into SCGP's financial statements from October 2026.
Why this mattersThe bolt-on deepens SCGP's fibre packaging footprint in Eastern Thailand's fruit-export corridor, letting it reallocate orders and free capacity elsewhere.
- SCGP acquired a 90% stake in Jin Zhong Fa Paper Industrial (JZF) for Baht 68 million.
- JZF adds 28,000 tonnes of annual production capacity in Chonburi province, Thailand.
- JZF is a corrugated containers producer serving customers in the China-bound fruit export market.
- JZF reported FY2025 revenue of Baht 205 million and total assets of Baht 240 million.
- JZF's financials will be consolidated into SCGP's accounts from October 2026.
- SCGP CEO Wichan Jitpukdee said the deal supports growth of its fibre packaging business across ASEAN.
- The acquisition was made through Thai Containers Group (TCG), owned 70% by SCGP and 30% by Rengo.
- The deal takes Rengo's Thai corrugated packaging network from 15 to 16 plants.
- SCGP's Q2 2026 sales reached THB32.45bn, up 3% year over year and 11% sequentially
- Q2 2026 EBITDA rose 37% year over year to THB5.82bn, with profit attributable to shareholders up 128% to about THB2.30bn
- Management cited improved performance in Indonesia and continued strength in Vietnam
Rengo announced on 9 September 2026 that nine of its products, developed with partner companies, won awards across seven categories at the 2026 Japan Packaging Contest organised by the Japan Packaging Institute. The top Japan Star Award went to eco-Pon, a recyclable biodegradable paper capsule for toy vending machines, developed jointly with capsule-toy maker K2 Station and plastics moulder Daiho Kogyo.
Why this mattersThe award highlights growing substitution of plastic capsule packaging with recyclable paper alternatives in Japan's toy and novelty retail segment.
- Rengo announced the results on 9 September 2026
- Nine Rengo-linked products won awards across seven categories at the 2026 Japan Packaging Contest
- The top Japan Star Award (Director-General of the Manufacturing Industries Bureau, METI, prize) went to biodegradable paper capsule eco-Pon
- eco-Pon was co-developed with K2 Station (capsule-toy maker) and Daiho Kogyo (plastics moulder)
- The contest is organised annually by the Japan Packaging Institute, evaluating design, logistics, functionality and environmental suitability
