When I saw the product, I wasn't sure it would become a business
President Yamasaki, you met Stone Paper before establishing TBM. What were your thoughts at that time?
Yamasaki
I first came to know stonepaper in 2008 when a friend showed me stone paper made in Taiwan. At that time, ecology was just beginning to attract attention around the world, and I was fascinated by the environmental friendliness of stone paper and the technology of making it from limestone, so I went to Taiwan to become an sales agent for Japan. But at that time, I was not sure that "This is a great innovation!"
I felt that if we could solve the problem, it would become a big business.
There was a problem with stone paper made in Taiwan. How did you deal with it?
Yamasaki
When I conducted sales activities for stone paper in Japan, many companies, including major corporations, showed interest. The concept and potential of the material were highly evaluated. But it didn't sell well. The reason for this was that it was heavier than plain paper, expensive, and unstable in quality. I felt that if I could solve this problem, it would be a big business, so I decided to go to the Taiwanese manufacturers every month to tell them what they should improve and what they expect in Japan.
I became interested in the possibility
It was under these circumstances that you met the current chairman Sumi. What were you talking about at the time? Also, what was your impression of stone paper,?
Yamasaki
Mr. Sumi was introduced by a friend. I wanted to do something about the quality of stone paper, and I asked him to help me. I received advice from the chairman on how to improve the quality of Taiwanese stone paper.
Sumi
Synthetic paper has been extensively researched in the industry, but it is a material that does not go well as a business. When I heard about stone paper from Mr. Yamasaki, I became very interested in its possibilities.
There is no business with such a dream!
In the autumn of 2010, we embarked on the in-house development of LIMEX. Please tell us about the episode at that time.
Yamasaki
Based on Chairman Sumi's advice, I desperately negotiated, but the Taiwanese manufacturer was reluctant to accept it. However, by that time, I had already realized the potential of stone paper as a business and its social significance. There was no point in continuing negotiations with them, so we embarked on in-house development.
Sumi
I was worried about in-house development, but Mr. Yamasaki said, "Let's do it." At that time, we did not have our own factory, so we rented equipment from other companies and laboratories for experiments. Many companies rejected me, and I had many difficulties to move forward. Then Hitachi Zosen helped us out and we were able to apply for a patent in 2011. Little by little, we move forward. After that, we gained support be the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
I was moved when I first saw the factory
In 2015, first factory for LIMEX production was completed in Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture. What are your thoughts on this moment?
Yamasaki
It was a situation where I could not feel relieved until just before the completion. Many people were involved in this project, and I felt a great responsibility, so when the factory was completed, I was deeply moved. And when I saw the young people working there, all the hardships I had gone through vanished, and I was filled with the feeling that I was really glad that I had come this far.
Sumi
Mr. Yamazaki was really impressed. Thinking back on all the hardships I had gone through, it felt like a dream come true. At the same time, I also felt a sense of reassurance that the future was going to be difficult.
Please tell us your thoughts on the future of LIMEX.
Yamasaki
First of all, we want to establish it as a technology originating in Japan, and in the future, we want to establish a factory in a developing country with no water in particular, so that we can make notebooks and textbooks for children. And LIMEX is a material with very high expectations as a new material. For example, composite materials are currently in vogue in plastic manufacturing, but LIMEX, which is highly filled with inorganic substances including calcium carbonate at 50% or more and is made into a sheet, is rare, and this has become TBM's strength. I will continue. In addition, it is possible to produce various characteristics depending on the filling material. I feel that no matter how hard I try, I have no choice but to go for the goal.
Sumi
Until now, there have been countless sad and frustrating thoughts. However, when posters made with LIMEX are used at the Milan Expo, or when we see people actually holding LIMEX products, we can take pride in what we do and move forward. There are so many things I can talk about LIMEX that I can't say it all. In the future, we aim to create an industry with LIMEX and create jobs around the world with Japanese technology. But first, we want to make people around us smile and make them happy.