Chuetsu Pulp & Paper
Japanese pulp and paper manufacturer (Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime: 3877) that produces cellulose nanofiber (CNF) under the nanoforest brand and supplies it as a performance additive to third-party manufacturers, including a 2026 collaboration with Hottie Polymer to develop CNF-filled 3D printer filament.
- CEO / Founder
- Ryoji Fukumoto
- Team Size
- 1001-5000
- Stage
- Public
- Latest Round
- Post-IPO
Technology & Products
Key Products
nanoforest (cellulose nanofiber, wood and bamboo-derived, sample sales since 2013); Take-gami (bamboo paper); printing, information, packaging, newsprint, paperboard, processing base paper, and sanitary paper products.
Technological Advantage
Proprietary CNF production technology from both wood and bamboo pulp, with tunable particle form/size for varied end applications (high adsorption, high strength, transparency, dimensional stability, low linear thermal expansion), supplied at commercial sample/production scale since 2013.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Supplies plant-derived (wood and bamboo pulp) cellulose nanofiber as a functional additive that improves tensile modulus, heat resistance, and molding shrinkage in polymer applications, including 3D printing filament, without requiring a switch to costlier engineering resins.
How They Differentiate
Differentiates via 100%-domestic bamboo-derived CNF sourcing (addressing Japan's abandoned-bamboo-forest problem) alongside conventional wood pulp CNF, and via direct co-development partnerships (e.g., Hottie Polymer, Marubeni) to embed its material into finished end-products rather than selling raw CNF alone.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Polymer compounders, filament manufacturers, and material formulators in 3D printing, cosmetics, textiles, agriculture, and consumer goods seeking bio-based performance additives.
Industry Verticals
3D printing/additive manufacturing materials, cosmetics, agriculture, consumer goods (watch bands, hair care), automotive/industrial composites, and traditional paper/packaging markets.
Competitors
Oji Holdings; Nippon Paper Industries; Daio Paper Corporation (major Japanese paper producers with competing CNF/nanocellulose material development programs)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
FY2022: consolidated net sales ¥90.1B, non-consolidated ¥84.5B; consolidated operating profit ¥4.86B, non-consolidated ¥4.16B; capital ¥18.86B as of 2025.
Major Milestones
Founded 1947; listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime (ticker 3877); began nanoforest CNF sample sales in 2013; 2023 - CNF cosmetics raw material launch with Marubeni; June 2025 - Fukumoto appointed President; September 1, 2026 - bamboo CNF adopted in hair shampoo/milk products; September 24, 2026 - co-developed CNF-filled polypropylene 3D printer filament with Hottie Polymer, its first disclosed entry into additive manufacturing materials.
Notable Customers
Hottie Polymer (3D printer filament manufacturer); Marubeni Corporation (cosmetics/agriculture material distribution partner); unnamed cosmetics, hair-care, and watch-band brands using nanoforest.