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  • March 30, 2012

    Hopes for Corrugated Packaging to
    Revitalize Tohoku at Earliest Possible Date

    Rengo's Shin-Sendai Plant has been swiftly reconstructed
    and operations will officially commence on April 1

    Rengo Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kita-ku, Osaka; President & CEO: Kiyoshi Otsubo) announces that operations at its Shin-Sendai Plant (Taiwa-cho, Kurokawa-gun, Miyagi Prefecture) will officially commence on April 1. Rengo built the Shin-Sendai Plant as a reconstruction and revitalization of the Sendai Plant (Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture) that suffered extensive damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011.

    This new plant was constructed through Rengo's desire to serve as a leader in reconstruction in the Tohoku region, beginning with Miyagi Prefecture. The prompt restoration of this plant means corrugated packaging that has close ties with the regional economy as an essential item for transporting objects, can be produced and it will ensure employment.

    As an appropriate facility for manufacturing fully recyclable and environmentally friendly corrugated packaging, the new plant gives ample consideration to environmental impact, seen in its installation of photovoltaic power generating systems, storage batteries, and other equipment. It also incorporates the lessons that were learned during the Great East Japan Earthquake.

    Furthermore, this plant will contribute to the future development of the local economy while serving as a central base for the Rengo Group in the Tohoku region, as well as a symbol of reconstruction and revitalization after the disaster.

     

    Exterior of the Shin-Sendai Plant
    Exterior of the Shin-Sendai Plant

     

    Overview of the Shin-Sendai Plant

    Name

    Shin-Sendai Plant, Rengo Co., Ltd.

    Location

    6-3-2 Matsusakadaira, Taiwa-cho, Kurokawa-gun,
    Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
    Tel: +81-22-344-0070

    Commencement of
    operations

    April 1, 2012

    Plant General Manage  Toru Horii
    Site area 73,486m2
    Total floor area

    28,284m2

    Number of employees Approximately 100
    Products Corrugated board/boxes

     

    Environment-related facilities

    Environment-related facilities include

    1. Photovoltaic power generating systems
    (made by Sharp Corporation / scheduled to begin operations in summer 2012)
        (1) Number of panels: 2,592
    (2) Total generation capacity: 498kW
    (3) Annual generation capacity: Approximately 450,000kWh
    (the equivalent of the electricity consumption of approximately 130 households)
    (4) Reduced impact on the environment: Approximately 200t annual reduction of
    CO2 emissions (the equivalent of approximately 54ha of forest)
    (5) Other features: Thermal barrier effects from equipment installed on the roof
    2.

    Gas boilers to reduce CO2 emissions

    3.

    All lifts are battery-powered and do not produce emissions

    4. Energy-conserving corrugators through systems such as steam circulation systems
    5. Corru-Air Duct (air-conditioning ducts made of corrugated board)

     

    A plant that incorporates the lessons learned during
    the Great East Japan Earthquake

    1.

    Strengthened resistance to earthquakes

    2. Installation of large lithium-ion storage batteries for power storage
    (made by ELIIY Power Co., Ltd.)
      (1) Power storage capacity 14.7kWh
      (2) Maximum output 10KVA
      (3) Available usage time Approximately 5 to 6 hours during the day
    (during solar power generation), approximately 1 hour at night
      (4) Features
    ELIIY Power's first ever large lithium-ion storage batteries for industrial usage have been installed. In the future Rengo will work together with ELIIY Power to accumulate and verify actual data.
    Safety certification has been obtained for these storage batteries from an international third-party certification body. They have exemplary safety related qualities; these batteries do not emit smoke or fire even when a nail is pounded into them. By combining them with photovoltaic power generation, self-sustained operations are possible during power outages. In addition to usage during times of emergency, these storage batteries will also contribute to the shifting of electricity consumption peak times by storing cheap nighttime electricity in them which will be then be used during those peak times during the day.

     

    Erection of a monument

    A monument bearing the name “Isshin no To (Tower of Unity)” and a commemorative tablet entitled “Bonds—March 11” have been erected at the new plant as a memorial to the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. They also refer to the bonds between people who are uniting to work towards the reconstruction and revitalization of the affected areas, as well as hope for a bright future.

     

    Isshin no To (Tower of Unity)” monument

    ”Isshin no To (Tower of Unity)” monument


    “Bonds—March 11” commemorative tablet

    “Bonds—March 11” commemorative tablet」