Craft Beer Paper

Craft Beer Paper is a recycled paper made from malt waste.

Breweries discharge approximately two tons of malt in a month, and they usually dispose of most of it. kitafuku Inc. upcycles those malt waste into valuable craft paper. The project was introduced in May 2021, and the product was first sold in June 2021. As of the project began, Yokohama Beer Inc. offered their malt to the project.

When you look closely, the unique color and texture of malt fibers can be seen in the paper. kitafuku Inc. has continuously researched the ratio and thickness of the materials and finally created a durable and sufficient paper.

Currently, kitafuku Inc. produces papers for coasters, business cards, postcards, menu lists, and other purposes. Working with local breweries and restaurants, kitafuku Inc aims to reduce waste.

1. Upcycling malt waste

A large amount of malt waste is one of the significant issues in the craft beer industry, as a brewery emits approximately two tons of malt in one month, and most of the malt has been discarded. Craft beer paper upcycles malt into paper products instead of incinerating them and reduces waste and CO2 emissions.

2. Maximizing the product value by adding its unique story

Craft beer paper adds its uniqueness to the menu cards and business cards, for instance. The difference from the former paper is that its thickness and endurance feel like the modern press letter paper. In addition, as digital transformation is getting fundamental in our society, paper quality is more important to make the product life cycle longer. Craft beer paper can also be re-used by recycling them.

3. Creating the opportunity to review local resources and consumer behavior

Since Many breweries use local resources in their craft beer, they tend to have good connections with local farmers and communities. Those connections would build high environmental awareness in partner companies too. Paper meets malt. That fascinates people and allows them to reevaluate the value of local resources and consumer behavior.