Nippon Paper builds Japan's first prototype for carton-to-carton recycling

Nippon Paper has developed a prototype process to recycle used beverage paper cartons back into base paper for new cartons, which it describes as Japan's first horizontal recycling loop of this kind. The system pulps collected cartons at its Fuji plant, turns the pulp into carton board, and feeds it through subsidiary Nippon Paper Liquid Package Product for conversion and filling on an NS-FUJI aseptic line. The prototype will be shown at TOKYO PACK2026 in Tokyo on 14-16 October 2026.

Why this mattersA working carton-to-carton loop could lift recovery of used beverage cartons beyond the current 38.9% rate and cut reliance on virgin pulp for carton board.

• Nippon Paper has created Japan's first prototype for 'Pack to Pack' horizontal recycling of beverage cartons into carton raw material
• Japan's beverage carton collection rate was 38.9% in fiscal 2024 against an industry target of 50%, per the 2026 carton recycling annual report
• Used cartons are pulped at Nippon Paper's Fuji plant recycling facility dedicated to food and beverage paper containers
• Pulp is made into carton base paper at a Nippon Paper mill, converted into cartons by subsidiary Nippon Paper Liquid Package Product, and filled on the NS-FUJI aseptic filling machine
• Nippon Paper previously recycled most collected carton waste paper into tissue and toilet paper rather than back into cartons
• The prototype will be exhibited at TOKYO PACK2026 at Tokyo Big Sight from 14 to 16 October 2026 as part of the company's PakUpcycle project

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