Amid the global wave of sustainable development, green and low-carbon transformation has become a major trend in the stationery industry. Embracing this shift not only helps stationery companies enhance product quality and meet growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products, but also serves as a key strategy for Chinese brands to “go global” and compete internationally.
Recently, Anhui Tochain Stationery Co., Ltd. (“Tochain Stationery”) took a major step forward in fulfilling its green commitment: with support from Carbon Newture, its TPR eraser obtained a product carbon footprint certificate from leading third-party organization TÜV SÜD. The verified result showed that 1 kg of TPR erasers produced by Tochain has a cradle-to-gate carbon footprint of 1.1274 kg CO₂e.
This carbon footprint data has been uploaded to the “China Carbon Disclosure Platform for Light Industrial products and Arts-Crafts”, enabling traceable and transparent carbon information via digital means. Consumers and buyers can scan the product’s carbon label to view detailed lifecycle emissions data.
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Chuzhou, Anhui since 2008, Tochain Stationery is a professional manufacturer of erasers, glue sticks, pencils, and sharpeners, with over 500 employees and an annual output value exceeding RMB 300 million. It integrates design, development, production, and trade across an 110,000 m² facility.
01. Green by Design: Building Low-Carbon Stationery from the Source
China is a major producer of stationery. According to the China Stationery & Sporting Goods Association, the stationery industry reached a market size of RMB 137.4 billion in 2023, with student stationery accounting for nearly half (RMB 68.9 billion).
As consumer needs evolve, young buyers are increasingly valuing green and low-carbon product attributes alongside safety and functionality.
On June 1, 2024, China’s first national standard for green stationery—GB/T 44837-2024 Green Product Evaluation: Stationery—came into effect. The standard introduces “low-carbon attributes” as a separate evaluation criterion and requires companies to provide product carbon footprint reports. This helps promote innovation, quality, and branding in the green stationery space.
Tochain’s carbon footprint certification for its TPR erasers is a timely response to the new national standard, reinforcing its foresight into industry trends. The carbon-labeled erasers embody low-carbon design from the raw material stage, setting a new benchmark for green stationery.
These erasers utilize a “design-for-decarbonization + recycled material” approach. The high resilience of the TPR material improves durability, while its antimicrobial properties ensure safety for student use. Its excellent coloring performance also supports creative and customized designs for cultural and creative products.
02. Green DNA as a Passport to the Global Market
As one of China’s earliest producers of eco-friendly erasers that meet international standards, Tochain offers over 2,500 product varieties and holds certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.
Its international footprint spans more than 100 countries and regions including the U.S., Japan, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. It has registered the “TOCHAIN” trademark in over 100 jurisdictions and earned certifications such as Europe’s EN71, U.S. ASTM D-4236A, and the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).
Despite these achievements, ongoing regulatory changes and rising green trade barriers—such as the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)—demand deeper green upgrades even from industry leaders like Tochain. By certifying the carbon footprint of its TPR erasers, Tochain has reinforced its green credentials, better aligned with next-generation consumer expectations, and secured an internationally recognized “green passport” for its exports.
03. Breaking green barriers, elevating China's stationery brand
Going global is a shared mission for many Chinese stationery firms. China has become one of the world’s most important exporters of office and school supplies. According to the China Stationery & Sporting Goods Association, exports from the industry have grown steadily since 2020, reaching $38.475 billion in 2024 despite a slight year-on-year decline.
Still, challenges persist—particularly in markets like Europe and North America, where stricter environmental standards are becoming the norm. In this context, Tochain’s carbon footprint certification serves as a powerful shield against green trade barriers, empowering its brands “TOCHAIN” to stand out in global markets.
The certified TPR erasers also made their debut at the 2025 Shanghai International Carbon Neutrality Expo, symbolizing a new milestone in Tochain’s sustainability journey and reflecting a broader shift across China’s stationery export sector.
Under China’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, Tochain Stationery is starting its green transformation with something as small as an eraser—but one that now carries a verifiable carbon identity. By continuing to invest in innovation and green R&D, Tochain aims to lead the transition from “Made in China” to “Created in China”, and shine a green spotlight on Chinese stationery in the global marketplace.
