On April 6, NYK Line ("NYK"), NYK Trading Corporation ("NYKT"), Azbil Yamatake Friendly Co., Ltd. (”Azbil Yamatake Friendly”), and Kayama Kogyo Co., Ltd. ("Kayama Kogyo") began recycling well-worn vehicle lashing belts that had passed their expiry for use on NYK operated RORO vessels.

Azbil Yamatake Friendly will collect and separate the lashing belts into metal parts and belts. Kayama Kogyo will then produce RPF fuel* from the plastic belts. Approximately 200,000 lashing belts are disposed of annually in the entire NYK operated RORO fleet. If all those belts are recycled, they can be converted into approximately 20 tons of RPF fuel.

When recycling started on April 6, about 27,000 used lashing belts were collected from the RORO vessel Sagittarius Leader at the port of Nagoya.

Recycling process

Previously, lashing belts that had passed their useful life based on NYK's own safety standards were disposed of as industrial waste or sold as used products. From now on, specified discarded lashing belts will be recycled into RPF fuel and reused as an energy resource. Kayama Kogyo will contribute to further GHG emission reductions by using renewable energy sources for all electricity used in fuel production.

In addition to consideration for the natural environment, this initiative incorporates a process that welcomes diverse human resources. Employees with intellectual disabilities separate the metal and belts at Azbil Yamatake Friendly, and foreign technical interns are involved in RPF fuel production at Kayama Kogyo. To create a place where everyone can work with peace of mind, we have developed specialized cutting machines, promoted smooth communication through Japanese language education, and expanded prior training on work content.

The four companies will continue to promote corporate activities that respect the global environment and realize an inclusive society** in which people from various backgrounds can play an active role without distinction.


*RPF fuel (Refuse-derived paper and plastics densified fuel)
Solid fuel made mainly from recovered paper and waste plastics that are difficult to recycle, among other industrial waste. RPF fuel has a high calorific value and is used as a substitute for fossil fuels such as coal and coke.

** Inclusive society
A society that recognizes diversity in terms of gender, age, disability, nationality, religion, culture, etc.

Company Overviews

NYK Line
Head office: Tokyo
Representative: Takaya Soga, President
Website: https://www.nyk.com/english/

NYK Trading Corporation
Head office: Tokyo
Representative: Shinji Umehara, Representative Director and CEO
Website: https://www.nyk-trading.com/eng/

Azbil Yamatake Friendly Co., Ltd.
Head Office: Kanagawa Prefecture
Representative: Yasuo Otsuka, President
Website: https://ayf.azbil.com/

Kayama Kogyo Co., Ltd.
Head Office: Aichi Prefecture
Representative: Junichiro Kayama, Representative Director
Website: https://www.kayama-k.co.jp/english