Switching from fossil resource-derived packaging materials to paper packaging materials for A3 MFP
[Company / organization] RICOH Company, Ltd.
Time started (or to be started)
Launched in February 2023
Applies to: Packaging materials for RICOH IM C7010/C6010/C5510/C4510/C3510/C3010/C2510/C2010
Technology and business model
Until now, expanded polystyrene (EPS), a material derived from fossil fuels, has generally been used as packaging for transporting MFP products.
The Ricoh Group is working to switch from EPS to recyclable paper packaging.
The biggest challenge with paper packaging, which is harder than EPS, was ensuring sufficient shock-absorbing functionality suitable for transporting MFP products.
By utilizing dynamic impact analysis technology used in automobile collision simulations to narrow down the composition and shape of the paper packaging, we were able to achieve high shock-absorbing performance equivalent to that of EPS.
Achievements and goals
The packaging material has been switched from expanded plastic cushioning (EPS), which is derived from fossil resources, to paper packaging made primarily from pulp molded recycled paper, reducing the amount of plastic used in the packaging by 54% compared to the predecessor model.
The overall recycled material use rate for the packaging materials used for the target products is now 80%, and the recyclability rate is over 96%.
The introduction of paper packaging also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the production and disposal of packaging materials.
Reference URL
※P45
- Reduce
- Recycle
- Design
- Production
- End-of-use
- Plastics
- Paper/Wood
- Electrical/Electronic Equipment
- Individual company
