Moisture Meters Sit Idle Despite Paper Industry investment
Since waste paper is traded by weight, its price is heavily influenced by moisture content.Ongoing disputes between the raw material and paper industries regarding this moisture level led the Ministry of Surroundings to mandate the installation of ‘moisture meters’ in 2021.
Though,four years later,these meters are largely unused. Industry voices are now calling on the Ministry of Environment to take action and ensure the effectiveness of the equipment they initially required.
According to the paper industry, as of October of this year, 23 out of 27 workplaces required to install moisture meters have done so. Yet, 21 of those installations are not actively utilizing the devices, resulting in a utilization rate of less than 10%.
A moisture metre measures the amount of moisture and foreign substances within waste paper raw materials by applying electromagnetic waves to compressed paper. Following the Ministry of Environment’s mandate in november 2021, the paper industry invested approximately 15 billion won to equip facilities nationwide.
The impetus for mandatory moisture meters stemmed from a “price conflict” between the raw material industry and paper manufacturers.
Waste paper distribution follows this chain: junk dealer → scrap dealer → compressor → paper maker. Scrap dealers collect waste paper and sell it to a dealer, who then delivers it to a compactor. the compactor processes the paper into cubes and sells the raw materials to paper companies.
The core of the conflict lies in the fact that paper companies are charged by weight for the waste paper they purchase. Higher moisture content increases the weight, and thus the cost, without contributing to the actual paper-making material. This led to disagreements over fair pricing and the need for accurate moisture measurement.
South Korean Paper Industry Calls for Government Intervention in Waste Paper Moisture Standards
The South Korean paper industry is urging the Ministry of Environment to increase the effectiveness of moisture meters used in the waste paper recycling process and establish official measurement standards. Concerns center around inconsistent measurements and the practise of adding water to waste paper, which impacts pricing and creates financial burdens for papermakers.
Currently,moisture content is a key factor in determining the price of waste paper. However, industry representatives argue that relying on voluntary agreements between companies is insufficient due to conflicting interests. “As interests are immediately divided depending on the moisture measurement results, it is indeed tough to establish standards through industry voluntary agreement alone,” stated an official from the raw materials industry.They advocate for collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and the National Agency for Technology and Standards (or its Korean equivalent, the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards – KRISS) to develop official, standardized measurement protocols.
A specific area for enhancement highlighted is the standardization of compression machine specifications.While acknowledging variations between brands, a paper industry official suggested, “If the government at least adjusts the width, length, and height [of the compression process], the effectiveness of the moisture meter will increase.” This would help ensure more consistent readings across different facilities.
The industry also points to issues at smaller-scale junk shops,where adding water to waste paper is a common practice. This artificially increases the weight – and therefore the price paid by compressors – shifting the financial burden onto papermakers. This creates a detrimental cycle, according to industry sources.
Responding to these concerns, an official from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment acknowledged the link between moisture content and overall waste paper pricing, stating that direct government coordination is challenging. They indicated a preference for price adjustments through company consultation, but committed to reviewing the situation. “We will discuss with the industry and review whether there are any areas that need improvement,” the official said.
this issue highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring fair and accurate practices within the south Korean waste paper recycling industry.Further developments are expected as the Ministry of Environment considers industry proposals and explores potential solutions.