Dekulum in Practice — Cardboard Instead of Wipers: Smarter Onboard Oil Spill Control
A coastal shipping company reused cardboard cushioning made with "DeKulum" as oil-absorbent mats onboard, reducing wiper usage and waste — a practical circular-economy success.
An inshore shipping company in Ehime (Company M) successfully reduced wiper usage during voyages by reusing cardboard cushioning made with the cardboard shredder “DeKulum” as oil-absorbent mats.
Reusing cardboard cushioning as onboard oil-absorbent mats
Oil and chemical leaks during rough weather or maintenance work pose major challenges for deck safety and environmental compliance. Traditionally, large quantities of wipers were used, driving up costs.
Dekulum is a cardboard upcycling system. It enables corrugated cardboard and cushioning materials used in parts packaging to be reused as oil-absorbent mats. Simply lay off-cuts in place to quickly absorb oil and other liquids.
Company M, Technical Superintendent
—By cutting corrugated cardboard, we can use it much like cloth wipers, with sufficient absorbency. After use, we burn it safely in the onboard incinerator and dispose of only the ash on shore. Incineration greatly reduces volume, so storage is not an issue.
Scaling circular economy across the maritime industry
Dekulum cushioning follows a three-step cycle — “cushioning” → “absorption” → “incineration ash” — dramatically reducing both cost and waste volume. Beyond shipowners, it establishes a new standard that accelerates environmental awareness across the entire maritime industry, including marine equipment manufacturers and trading companies.