Daio uses sludge-based additives in production.

DAIO USES SLUDGE-BASED ADDITIVES IN PRODUCTION. Daio Paper, Tokyo, Japan revealed it has successfully established a technology to collect inorganic additive agents for use in making recycled paper out of sludge. The sludge processing method sorts out efficiently impure substances, including pulp short-fibers and ink chemicals, to produce inorganic chemicals in fine grain forms and it ensures whiteness comparable to conventional clay-based inorganic additives. In September, Daio Paper built a plant at its Mishima plant in Shikokuchuo City to evaluate the performance of the sludge-based additives for commercial production. The Yen 130 million (US$ 1.1 million) plant will produce 30 metric tons of such chemicals per month at a whiteness level of 78-83%.

IN OTHER DAIO NEWS: The company has developed a new disposable diaper product that reduces wood pulp content by 70%. The newly developed water-adsorbing material is developed from non-wood fiber resources, which have elastic properties to recover as force is removed, as is the case when an infant changes position. Daio began selling the diapers in September 2005 for infants of five pounds, and plans to expand the product line to larger sizes.