Co-creation of Towns and Businesses to Support a Recycling-Oriented Society

Our recycled paving bricks, Neo Series™, create new value that are environmentally friendly while adding color to the cityscape. Efforts to turn what had been disposed of as waste into resources resonate deeply with Kitakyushu City’s vision of becoming the “Environmental Capital City” of the World.
Mr. Sato, Director of the Circular Economy Promotion Division of the Kitakyushu City Environment Bureau, and Kurosaki Harima team members discussed the background and features of the birth of the Neo Series™ and the Kitakyushu Eco Premium^*, which has supported the promotion of sustainable resource recycling in Kitakyushu City.
^*New Kitakyushu Eco Premium applications are closed as of 2023.

A Landscape Born of Recycled Materials: the Neo Series™ Initiative

Takasaki: Please explain the background behind the creation of the Neo series and the situation at the time of its development.

Ohira:
Our Neo Series™ was born around 2003 out of an effort to recycle used refractory bricks into raw materials. By utilizing what had been disposed of as waste as a raw material for landscape bricks, we are working with the community to create an urban environment based on the circular economy. This business activity of contributing to community development is in line with the philosophy of the City of Kitakyushu.

Hiruta:
We want to create a product that retains a high recycling rate while also satisfying our standards for quality and landscaping. After many prototypes without allowing compromise on these conditions, the Neo Series™ was born. Even now, we are reviewing our formulas as circumstances change and establishing a more reliable supply chain.

Kitakyushu and the Neo Series™: Aiming to be the World’s Environmental Capital–An Urban Vision and Corporate Initiatives

Takasaki: Please tell us about Kitakyushu’s goal of becoming the “Environmental Capital of the World” and the background behind the establishment of the Eco Premium program.

Director Sato:
Kitakyushu City has nurtured environmental technologies developed through its history of overcoming pollution as a strength of the city. In this context, the Kitakyushu Eco Premium Industry Creation Project, launched in 2004, has long been a support program to introduce products and services that help companies reduce their environmental impact. We also believe that we have enhanced the environmental brand power of the entire city of Kitakyushu through joint participation in exhibitions and permanent displays at the Eco-Town Center.

Hiruta:
In recent years, we have received an increasing number of inquiries from customers outside of Kitakyushu who value environmental performance in addition to landscape quality. The Neo Series™ is a product that can meet those needs.

Eco Premium Brings Together Industry and Civic Planners

Takasaki: What were the points on which the Neo Series™ was recognized and certified?

Director Sato:
We consider the fact that the product is recycled and contributes to sustainable resource recycling to be a key criteria.

Takasaki:
Depending on the color tone, 60-85% of the raw materials are recycled from sanitary ceramics, refractory bricks, ceramic waste soil, and other waste materials produced in the manufacturing process. This exceeds the Eco Mark certification standard of 50%. In addition, permeable and non-permeable types can be selected, allowing for a high degree of design flexibility. They also contribute to the formation of a comfortable walking space in the city.

Hiruta:
We believe that this balance of functionality and design flexibility is a crucial factor in enhancing the environmental value of our city.

Future Initiatives for City and Industry

Takasaki: What is your policy for the future? In particular, how can public-private partnership initiatives create new value?

Director Sato:
We will further promote the circular economy by providing support from various aspects, such as subsidies for technology development in the environmental field and networking organizations for industry-academia-government collaboration, for the ambitious efforts of local companies.

Hiruta:
Our company’s involvement has led to expanded employment in both public and private sectors. Our desire is to deliver custom products that take advantage of the unique characteristics of each region, which we feel Neo Series™ has garnered positive attention for over many years. As a local company, we would like to contribute to both product development and community development that line up with the city’s policies.

Ohira:
Achieving a recycling-oriented society begins choices made by both industry and government, as well as those of the individual members of our community. The Neo Series™ is one way that we can achieve this goal. Our mission is to expand this value that we have built with Kitakyushu City. To think that the power to change the future can start with taking one step on where we stand, is something I look forward to pushing forwards together with all of you.