Contributing to the creation of sustainable Satoyama through environmental restoration projects utilizing abandoned farmland

CERARICA NODA Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that it will cooperate with the "Haze Narrow Road Project" promoted by Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture, and participate in an environmental regeneration project that utilizes abandoned farmland

This project is a five-year environmental restoration project commemorating the 20th anniversary of the merger of Ozu City, and is being carried out in collaboration with our company, Ozu City, and Ozu Agricultural High School, which is a key player in nurturing the next generation of people who will lead the region

Creating sustainable Satoyama together with the next generation

This project was launched with the aim of making effective use of abandoned farmland, which has been a problem in the region for many years, preserving biodiversity, and creating sustainable satoyama

At the heart of these various uses, which are representative of Japan, is the cultivation and planting of "hazel trees," from which the berries, which are the raw material for Japanese wax, can be harvested. Students from Ozu Agricultural High School will play an important role in cultivating the seedlings, providing a valuable opportunity for the next generation to proactively participate in environmental conservation activities

We will provide this project with seedlings of "Minamata No. 1," a superior variety developed through many years of research and development, and contribute to the harvest of higher quality hazelnuts. "Minamata No. 1" has a higher wax content than ordinary hazelnut trees, and is expected to be a variety capable of producing high-quality wood wax

Autumn leaves of hazelnuts, a resource for harvest five years from now and for future production

From fiscal year 2025 onwards, 50 seedlings will be planted each year, with an annual harvest of over 600 kg of hazelnuts expected in fiscal year 2028. The wax extracted from the harvested hazelnuts is also being considered for use as a new industrial bioresource for the region

This project is not just an environmental restoration project; it is also a significant undertaking that will revitalize industry in the local community and pass on environmental awareness to the next generation

Japan wax connects Ozu City, Ehime Prefecture, and the future

The revival of Japan wax, which was at the heart of the development of Ozu City (Ozu Domain). All staff at CERARICA NODA Tsurukame Kita Factory, along with the citizens of Ozu and Ehime Prefecture, are working hard on the Ozu City "Haze no Narrow Road Project" in the hopes that they will once again recognize the wonder of Japan wax, a completely recycled natural product

Through its participation in this project, CERARICA NODA will continue to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society