2025.06.05
Joint Development and Adoption of Cardboard Base Paper Utilizing Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) by Unicharm Indonesia and Oji Holdings Corporation
Unicharm Corporation (President & CEO: Mr. Takahisa Takahara), in collaboration with Oji Holdings Corporation (President & CEO: Mr. Hiroyuki Isono), is pleased to announce the successful development of EFB*1 pulp blended cardboard base paper, utilizing oil palm empty fruit bunches as a partial raw material. This cardboard will be adopted for packaging materials for select products manufactured by PT Uni-Charm Indonesia Tbk (Unicharm Indonesia), our local subsidiary in Indonesia.
*1 EFB: Empty Fruit Bunches, the empty fruit bunches remaining after extracting the fruit from oil palm bunches (oil palms)
*2 Paper made by mixing various materials other than wood pulp into the pulp that is the raw material for paper
Background of Joint Development
Unicharm established the "Environmental Targets 2030," a medium- to long-term ESG goal in 2020, and is addressing environmental issues through its business activities, focusing on three key issues: "Addressing plastic issues," "Addressing climate change," and "Procurement that does not contribute to deforestation." As part of this effort, Unicharm Indonesia has been promoting the concept of "Ethical Living for SDGs" since 2021, disseminating information, products, and experiences to enable consumers to effortlessly incorporate environmentally friendly practices into their daily lives. Meanwhile, in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries, large quantities of EFB*1 are generated during the production of palm oil*3 from oil palms. Due to its high moisture, ash, and salt content, EFB*1 has not been fully utilized as a resource.
Therefore, in collaboration with Oji Holdings Corporation, which shares the goal of reducing environmental impact, we have been developing cardboard base paper using EFB*1 as a partial raw material. By adopting this material for packaging materials for select products sold by Unicharm Indonesia, we aim to promote the effective use of previously unutilized resources and strengthen efforts toward realizing a sustainable society.
*3 Vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of the oil palm, used in a wide range of fields around the world from food to daily necessities
Oil palm empty fruit bunches EFB*1 pulp blended*2 cardboard base paper
Future Prospects
Unicharm's purpose is to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. We aim to balance the resolution of environmental and social issues with continuous business growth, and to realize a sustainable "cohesive society" through our business. However, knowledge disparities regarding natural environment conservation remain a significant challenge, as many countries and regions still lack access to adequate education. To address these issues, we are expanding educational activities in local communities, along with our products and services. We will continue to create new value through these activities and contribute to the realization of a "cohesive society."
Other Initiatives in Indonesia by Unicharm Indonesia
Proposing "Ethical Living for SDGs"
In 2021, Unicharm Indonesia recognized "environmental issues in Indonesia" and "interest in environmentally friendly products" and announced the concept of "Ethical Living for SDGs." This lifestyle concept aims to integrate easy-to-implement, environmentally conscious "small, good deeds" into daily life, with the goal of permeating the lives of all Indonesian consumers.
Logo mark for "Ethical Living for SDGs"
Launch of Environmentally Friendly Products
Since 2021, Unicharm Indonesia has continuously launched environmentally friendly products in conjunction with "World Environment Day." In June of this year, we will launch "DaunSirih Bio Materials," which contains "biomaterials*4" made from sugarcane waste, limestone, botanical oil, and natural resin that were previously discarded. The logo for Biomaterials*4 is based on the motifs of sugarcane, limestone, and botanical oil used as raw materials, and is accompanied by the Indonesian slogan "Mari Lakukan Kebaikan Kecil," which means "Let's do something good!"
*4 Biomaterials are materials that use biomass or biomineral raw materials
“DaunSirih Bio Materials”
Logo mark for Biomaterials*4
Public Awareness Activities in Local Communities
Since 2022, we have been conducting classes on the theme of "waste separation" for elementary and high school students in collaboration with administrative agencies every year to provide children with an opportunity to think about environmental issues.
Lectures about “waste separation”
（Related Information）
Kyo-sei Life Vision 2030 https://www.unicharm.co.jp/en/csr-eco/kyoseilifevision.html
Unicharm Sustainability https://www.unicharm.co.jp/en/csr-eco.html
Contribution to the 17 SDGs Goals through the Development of Cardboard Base Paper Utilizing Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches
We believe that this initiative contributes to the following 17 goals of the "Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015:
3. Good Health and Well-Being 12. Responsible Consumption and Production
15. Life on Land
We will continue to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by solving environmental and social issues through our business activities, including the provision of products and services.
<<For inquiries>>
Unicharm Corporation, Global Marketing Communication Division, Love Your Possibilities PR Department
Email：brand-pr@unicharm.com