While Japanese companies have traditionally focused on compliance, there is a growing need for proactive involvement in standardizations—a concept referred to as “strategic standardization.” ISO/TC 130 oversees international standards for graphic technology, with Working Group 11 dedicated to environmental and sustainability aspects. Key standards include ISO 16759, which addresses the carbon footprint of printed media; ISO 20690 and 21632, which pertain to power consumption of digital printers; and ISO 22067-1, which specifies the requirements for communicating the environmental risks of printed products. ISO 22067-1 aligns closely with the European Union's concept of ecodesign for sustainable products regulation (ESPR). Although not originally intended for this purpose, ISO 22067-1 may serve as a foundation for future EU-delegated actions in the printing sector. Japan's proactive engagement in these efforts could support global recognition of its environmentally advanced products.

Today, some companies are committed to fulfilling their social responsibilities while also pursuing profits. One of the key social responsibilities of companies is environmental consideration. In the Japanese printing industry, the Japan Federation of Printing Industries (JFPI) has announced a voluntary action plan toward the “2050 Carbon Neutral Declaration,” stating that by 2050 it aims to “minimize energy-induced emissions,” “transform processes and structures,” and “create local communities through printing technology.” Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited issued a press release titled “Conversion of Secondary Packaging Printing of Ethical Drugs to CMYK Ink for the Purpose of Reducing Environmental Impact,” announcing that all secondary packaging materials (including assembled boxes, instruction manuals, and labels) will be printed using CMYK ink instead of spot inks by the end of 2026. Printing with spot color inks generates a large amount of waste ink and solvent and has a high environmental impact. However, some projects cannot be printed using only CMYK inks because of their narrow color gamut, making the use of spot color inks unavoidable. This study describes “EP Sustainable Printing,” a spot color printing workflow that achieves a high color gamut while reducing environmental impact and presents verification results demonstrating its effectiveness.

Processless plates eliminate the need for chemical processing, improve working conditions, reduce costs, and enhance print quality. In addition, these plates benefit the environment by minimizing chemical use and waste. Driven by their efficiency and environmental benefits, the adoption of these plates has rapidly increased, making them more likely to become industry standards. Companies are increasingly embracing these technologies to achieve complete automation and sustainability. Over the past 20 years since the introduction of processless plates, plate manufacturers have continued to develop new technologies, leading to significant improvements in performance that are now comparable to those of process plates. This study introduces the basic performance characteristics of processless plates, including (1) developability on a printing press, (2) printability, (3) visibility, and (4) scratch resistance, while also presenting the latest technologies. We also report a technology for eliminating interleaf paper, which significantly reduces environmental impact.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are gaining attention as next-generation solar cells owing to their lightweight design and high-power conversion efficiency. However, improving their durability and establishing cost-effective manufacturing processes are crucial challenges for widespread adoption. To address these issues, advancements must be pursued from both mass-production and on-demand manufacturing perspectives. The development of PSC originated from research on dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using plastic films. The integration of halide perovskites with titanium oxide electrodes demonstrated efficient power generation. Our research on low-temperature fabrication methods for roll-to-roll printing has contributed to PSC innovations. The lightweight and flexible nature of PSCs, which allows for their installation on curved surfaces, significantly expands their potential for solar power generation. Installing these systems on buildings aligns with the concept of transforming urban environment into energy-generating spaces. Furthermore, their application in indoor light harvesting and integration with IoT devices opens new possibilities for energy-saving technologies. Thus, PSCs are expected to play a key role in decentralized energy systems and self-sufficient societies. Further research is required to develop sustainable and cost-effective PSCs. In addition, PSCs are recognized as a technology that enables individuals to achieve energy self-sufficiency. Therefore, the development of flexible solar cells using plastic substrates is crucial for achieving a decarbonized society. Printing technology is envisioned as a foundational technology supporting the advancement of carbon-neutral solutions.

Ecofriendly packaging is essential for addressing various challenges, including marine plastic waste and climate change. However, the removal of the aluminum foil for quality preservation is challenging. This study introduces technologies that lead to aluminum-free packaging.

In recent years, global efforts to conserve resources and reduce carbon emissions have intensified toward realizing a more sustainable society, and effectively utilizing resources and reducing waste has become an urgent priority across various fields. Packaging, which is indispensable for distributing a wide range of products including food, generates environmental impacts throughout its production, use, and disposal stages. From a sustainability perspective, there is a growing need for comprehensive product design and manufacturing processes that go beyond conventional methods to reduce environmental impact. Against this backdrop, TOPPAN is striving to develop a solvent-free packaging manufacturing process by replacing solvent-based gravure printing with water-based flexographic printing, and solvent-based lamination with solvent-free lamination. Recently, TOPPAN successfully developed a retort pouch that combines water-based flexo printing and solvent-free lamination, achieving approximately a 40 % reduction in CO₂ emissions. In the future, TOPPAN will continue to expand the use of water-based flexo printing and solvent-free lamination across a wide range of products.

This study emphasized the innovative utilization of wastepaper from printing houses by investigating its application as a component in cement-based materials through the concept of Upcycling and Circular Design. The goal is to develop a sustainable material by integrating the wastepaper into a cement-based matrix to create novel products. This specific type of concrete, known as Papercrete, derives its strength from the reinforcing properties of paper fibers within a binding agent, typically cement. Creating new products from waste aligns with circular economy principles, reducing overall resource extraction and minimizing environmental impacts.

Our research aimed to repurpose non-recyclable wastepaper from Chulalongkorn University Press (CU Press) by incorporating it into the production of molded pulp at E. Molding International Co., Ltd. (EMI). By utilizing this underutilized resource, we assessed the impact on product quality, focusing on parameters such as surface smoothness, strength, and the overall performance of the final molded pulp products. This innovative approach is expected to reduce environmental impact by minimizing waste disposal and the carbon footprint associated with conventional production processes. The results demonstrated that the collaboration between EMI and CU Press establishes a novel model of up-circular economy. This partnership enables EMI to develop more environmentally sustainable products, while CU Press successfully reduces greenhouse gas emissions and progresses toward its Net Zero policy objective.