Miyazu Mayor Visits Suncall Corp. to Share Potential of Sustainable Business Utilizing Local Bamboo Resources

Mayor Kinosaki and President Nara with the "Sustainable Bamboo Notebook"

Challenging the Bamboo Charcoal Business Born from Local Issues

Miyazu City, while blessed with abundant nature represented by Amanohashidate, faces challenges such as the impact of expanding abandoned bamboo forests on the satoyama environment and "bamboo damage" leading to disasters and wildlife damage. In cooperation with Miyazu City, Suncall is engaged in a community contribution-oriented "Bamboo Sustainable Business" that utilizes bamboo harvested from abandoned forests to manufacture and sell industrial bamboo charcoal.

Suncall's bamboo charcoal, made from Miyazu City bamboo, is marketed under the Kyoto-originating brand names "Kyokaguya-tan®" and "KYOBAMBLACK(TM)". Leveraging characteristics such as deep blackness, light-shielding properties, and high resistance, it is being increasingly utilized in various applications, including pigments for paints and inks, deodorizing products, and humidity control products.

Its manufacturing method, which carbonizes bamboo without burning, achieves stable quality while minimizing environmental impact. In recent years, the company has been involved in various manufacturing efforts across industries, including cellulose materials for 3D printers and synthetic leather.

Miyazu's Bamboo Opens Up Possibilities in Manufacturing

On the day of the visit, Director Mukai of the development department presented the latest activities and achievements to Mayor Kinosaki. They also reported on various outreach activities, including environmental events in Miyazu City and Kyoto City, and at expos, and presented a "Sustainable Bamboo Notebook" as a product to help people feel more connected to bamboo utilization.

Mayor Kinosaki views the "Sumiya-hime" figure, which was showcased at the expo.

Furthermore, as a recent development, a steering wheel developed for the automotive industry was introduced. The beige part of the steering wheel uses bamboo cellulose resin, and the black part uses synthetic leather incorporating bamboo charcoal. By not using animal leather, it contributes to animal protection and serves as an interior material aligned with SDGs concepts. This garnered positive reactions at the "Exhibition of People and Automobiles Technology" held in Yokohama and Nagoya.

In addition, various developed products and related items that leverage bamboo's functionality, such as bamboo charcoal powder, biodegradable resin, and bamboo charcoal paint, were also introduced, sharing new possibilities for bamboo resource utilization.

Mayor Kinosaki touches the bamboo steering wheel.

Connecting Local Resources to a Sustainable Future

The visit served as an opportunity to reaffirm the existing relationship between Miyazu City and our company, and to deepen our camaraderie for future collaboration.

Suncall will continue to collaborate with the people of Miyazu City and other regions, working to conserve satoyama through the effective utilization of abandoned bamboo forests and engaging in manufacturing with a low environmental impact. By advancing technological development that enhances the value of local resources, we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.

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Introduction of Miyazu Mayor Masafumi Kinosaki Masafumi Kinosaki was born in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture. After graduating from the National Maizuru College of Technology, he joined Kinosaki Textile, and after serving as a Miyazu City Councilor, he was inaugurated as the 18th Mayor of Miyazu in July 2018. He was re-elected as the 19th Mayor in July 2022 and inaugurated as the 20th Mayor of Miyazu in July 2026.

Company Profile Company Name: Suncall Corporation Head Office Location: 14 Umezunishiura-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City Founded: June 1943 (Showa 18) Representative: Masashi Nara, President and Representative Director Business Activities: Development, manufacturing, and sales of automotive parts, electronic and telecommunications parts, medical and nursing care products, and environmental materials.

Official HP: https://www.suncall.co.jp/