Become a sustainable company and contribute to society by manufacturing products that are friendly to people and the environment.

SUMINOE GROUP has a long history of environmental initiatives, starting about 50 years ago when the housing industry was in the spotlight and the production of carpets and curtains accelerated, with the construction of a pollution-free Nara factory that took into account wastewater and soot treatment.
Since then, in response to increasingly serious environmental issues, our group has been working to reduce the environmental impact of our products as a manufacturer's social responsibility, based on the development philosophy of "K (Health), K (Environment), R (Recycling) + A (Amenity)".

Carpet tiles "ECOS®"

Conventionally, used Carpet tilehad no choice but to be disposed of in a landfill.
Our group is collaborating with Refinverse Co., Ltd., which has strengths in recycling industrial waste. Carpet tile we have established the "ECOS® Recycle System," which recycles waste between the same products. By introducing new manufacturing equipment that is optimal for recycling, the recycled material ratio and CO2Achieved reduction contribution rate.
Recycling that connects resources to the future carpet tile ECOS® is a one-of-a-kind product that fulfills our responsibility as a manufacturer and is both environmentally friendly and economical.
We will contribute to the realization of a sustainable, low-carbon society while building win-win relationships with our customers, business partners, and partner companies.

ECOS^®also meets international certification standards

Certified as “Osaka Prefecture Certified Recycled Product”

About Osaka prefecture certified recycled products

Osaka Prefecture Certified Recycled Products is a system operated by Osaka Prefecture as one of its basic measures to create a recycling-oriented society, and it certifies recycled products that particularly contribute to promoting circular use.Carpet tileCertification standards require that products meet product certification standards such as the Eco Mark.

Target products

4 series (278 color schemes) of ECOS® have been certified as Eco Mark certified with the industry's top recycled material ratio.
Recycled products certified by Osaka Prefecture include "Naniwa Eco Ryohin Next" and "Naniwa Eco Ryohin Next," which collects used recycled products and recycles them further. ECOS® also complies with "Naniwa Eco Ryohin Next."

●Osaka prefecture certified recycled products List of eligible products 4 series (278 color schemes)

Newly certified products in 2020 (Osaka Prefecture homepage)

●Certification date: March 1, 2023

ECOS NEO™ series with the highest recycled material ratio in Japan

The ECOS NEO™ series, which will be released in 2023, uses recycled materials for the surface in addition to conventional backing materials, resulting in a recycled material ratio of 81%, the highest in Japan, and a CO₂Reduction contribution rate 61% ^※We are realizing this.(*For ECOS NEO™ EX. According to our own research as of March 2023.)

Features

• 81% recycled material ratio, the highest level in Japan^※
• C.O.₂Reduction contribution rate 61%^※(Comparison value with general continuous dyeing products of the same standard)
  In conventional recycled products, the PVC sheet for the backing material is produced separately and pasted onto the fabric, which creates an additional burden of waste emissions.
  ECOS® backing material can be produced on one line by directly kneading recycled PVC powder into the backing material, reducing CO₂is being reduced.
  *For ECOS NEO™ EX
• Saves energy without polluting water by using dyed yarn
• The raw materials for recycled materials are made in Japan.Carpet tilelimited to
  Used recycled backing material made in JapanCarpet tileLimited to only. We are building a system to maintain stable prices and supply quantities.
• Partially uses nylon thread “SEACLE” (manufactured by Suminoe Techno Shiga Factory) made from recycled domestic fishing nets (ECOS iD-1522EP only)

Nylon thread made from recycled resin nylon "REAMIDE®" derived from fishing nets, aimed at reducing ocean pollution and creating a sustainable recycling-oriented society.

*Regenerated nylon resin "REAMIDE®" is a registered trademark of Refinverse Group Co., Ltd.

The ECOS® series is a next-generation product that combines excellent environmental performance, including a high proportion of recycled materials, as well as economic efficiency and design.Carpet tileAs a standard, it has won numerous awards.

"2020 Resource Recycling Technology and System Award" Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Industrial Technology and Environment Bureau Director's Award

"2020 Resource Recycling Technology and System Award" Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Industrial Technology and Environment Bureau Director's Award

About the resource recycling technology/system award

The Resource Recycling Technology/System Award has been held since 1975 with the aim of encouraging and disseminating these projects and initiatives and creating new businesses by broadly soliciting and awarding projects and initiatives carried out by companies and business organizations that have characteristics such as excellent technological development that contributes to the reduction of waste generation, reuse, and promotion of resource recycling. The organizer is the Industrial Environmental Management Association (corporate number: 7010005008147), and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry supports this award.

Selection and evaluation of awards

• The winner will receive a usedCarpet tileis recycled by collecting it from the market and recycling the PVC resin used on the back side (horizontal recycling).Carpet tileWe have developed technology to commercialize it as a product. Also, wasteCarpet tileA circulation system was constructed.
• Traditionally, usedCarpet tilewas disposed of in landfills as industrial waste, and there was no supply of recycled products to the market, and there was no demand for the recycled materials produced by recycling companies, creating a vicious cycle in which collection and recycling businesses were not viable.
  In order to solve this issue, we will: (1) develop collection and recycling businesses (investment, etc.), (2) establish a collection network for waste products and improve the quality of recycled materials, and (3) support recycling companies.Carpet tileInitiatives included changing the entire lineup to recycled products. This has created demand for recycled materials and made it possible to provide them to the market at the same quality and cost as conventional products.
• Currently, used products distributed in Japan, including not only our own products but also other companies' products,Carpet tileapproximately 80%Carpet tile The remaining 20% can also be recycled as secondary steelmaking materials.
• The efforts of the award winners will reduce landfill disposal and reduce CO2 by realizing horizontal recycling.₂In addition to contributing to resource reduction, resource conservation, and energy conservation, it also has a strong track record as a business, including bringing recycled products to the market and creating demand for recycled materials. We highly value the company's contribution to the realization of a sustainable, recycling-oriented society.

"22nd Green Purchasing Award" Special Plastic Resource Recycling Category Grand Prize

"22nd Green Purchasing Award" Special Plastic Resource Recycling Category Grand Prize

About the Green Purchasing Award

The Green Purchasing Award is a historic system established in 1998 that recognizes initiatives that contribute to the achievement of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) through sustainable procurement (consumption and production), and in particular to the realization of a decarbonized society and circular economy.
Among these, the ``Plastic Resource Recycling Special Category'' evaluates initiatives that take into account procurement (consumption and production) perspectives, such as the effective use of plastic resources or the use of alternative materials toward the creation of a recycling-oriented society, and efforts that contribute to solving the problem of marine plastic waste.

Selection and evaluation of awards

Carpet tileThe company's horizontal recycling business is a business activity that embodies the circular economy, and it is highly praised as an advanced and unique initiative, including the fact that it has guided a wide range of users to green purchasing. Since the company has been steadily accumulating a track record, it can serve as a model for others and can be expected to make further progress in the future.

“4th EcoPro Award” Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award

“4th EcoPro Award” Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award

About EcoPro Award

The EcoPro Award is an award system that aims to promote the further development and spread of these products and contribute to the creation of a sustainable society by recognizing products, services, technologies, solutions, and business models that are highly evaluated by business operators, consumers, investors, and other market participants in the Japanese market and incorporate specific environmental considerations.

Selection and evaluation of awards

• The use of recycled products in construction-related materials is slow to spread in Japan. One of the reasons for this is said to be the construction industry's closed supply chain. In such markets, the company already has a stable supply chain and is in a position to connect arteries and veins. It is hoped that these examples will serve as a reference and that the use of reused and recycled products will become more widespread in the construction industry.
• Used items that were sent to landfillCarpet tileIt is commendable that the company recycles waste and reduces water consumption, electricity consumption, and wastewater by devising the dyeing process, which accounts for much of the environmental impact of textiles.
• The win-win scheme of supporting collection and recycling businesses, purchasing recycled materials as a large consumer, and building a recycling system is highly commendable. It is also great that they take environmental aspects into account from the manufacturing stage.

"4th EcoPro Award" Minister's Award Winner Case Presentation