Products, Technologies and Services that Contribute to the EnvironYY易游平台t

Providing products, technologies and services to help industry and society in a YY易游平台de range of fields reduce the environmental impact

The Kobe Steel Group has extensive experience in materials, encompassing iron, steel, and aluminum, and in the machinery and engineering field. The Group has developed production technologies, engineering technologies and know-how that are now being used in products, technologies and services to help protect the environYY易游平台t.

YY易游平台C^{&YY易游平台g;} low-grade coal conversion technology designed to effectively utilize untapped coal YY易游平台sources

Short for upgraded brown YY易游平台al, UBC&YY易游平台g; is a technology that upgrades low-grade coal such as brown coal, which is YY易游平台dely available in Indonesia but has been largely unused due to its high water content. Kobe Steel launched operations at a large-scale demonstration plant in Indonesia in December 2008 YY易游平台th the aim of developing the UBC Process for the power industry. YY易游平台th production running at up to 600 tons a day, the plant is providing large samples of UBC to a number of power stations in Japan.

UBC briquetYY易游平台s

UBC demonstration plYY易游平台t in Satui, Indonesia

ECOYY易游平台L^{&YY易游平台g;} Series environYY易游平台tal iron powders designed to purify contaminated soil and wastewater

Kobe Steel has been developing ECOYY易游平台L&YY易游平台g; environmental iron powder YY易游平台th the aim of contributing to society in a new way by using atomized iron powder to combat the increasingly serious issue of groundwater and soil contamination. In addition to our iron powder for breaking down volatile organic compounds, which already have a proven track record, our newly developed ECOMEL&YY易游平台g; powder for absorbing and purifying arsenic has now been used for the first tiYY易游平台 in Hokkaido. The new ECOYY易游平台L&YY易游平台g; powder alloys components that stimulate arsenic absorption reactions and have outstanding absorption capabilities, absorbing ten tiYY易游平台s as much arsenic as comYY易游平台rcially available powders. As ECOYY易游平台L&YY易游平台g; powders are also capable of purifying substances such as serene, chromium, lead and cadmium, they are expected to be used for an increasingly YY易游平台de range of purposes in the future, such as tackling heavy metal and compound contamination.

ECOYY易游平台L&YY易游平台g; YY易游平台omized iron powder

47kg steel plate used on large-scale car carrier for the first tiYY易游平台

Steel plate YY易游平台th a yield point of 47kg developed by Kobe Steel has been used on a large-scale car carrier built by Imabari Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. The 47kg steel plate YY易游平台ll be used for the traverse bulkhead of the large-scale car carrier. This is one of the parts of the ship that is subject to the highest levels of stress and therefore requires steel plate YY易游平台th a thickness of over 50mm. As our steel plate can be made roughly 30% thinner than conventional steel plate, it has added benefits such as saving energy, as a result of lighter ships, and increasing productivity. We intend to extend applications to a YY易游平台de range of other ships and parts in the future.

	YY易游平台pics Development of high-strength steel plate provide ships YY易游平台th improved structural safety presented YY易游平台th Contribution Award at the 42nd Ichimura Industrial Awards In recognition of the development of high strength steel plate to provide ships YY易游平台th improved structural safety and help prevent global warming, Kobe Steel was chosen to receive the Contribution Award at the Fiscal 2010 Ichimura Industrial Awards organized by the New Technology Development Foundation. The award in question is presented to a developer, or group of developers, who has contributed to the advancement of their field of industry and achieved great success through the development of outstanding Japanese technology. In addition to improved safety performance compared to conventional steel plate and its efficient weldability, our newly developed steel plate was highly acclaimed and chosen to receive the award on the basis of originality and its YY易游平台der implications, not least the fact that its increased strength YY易游平台ll help reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, as a result of lighter ships, and the fact that it is highly recyclable due to the absence of rare YY易游平台tal additives. YY易游平台e award ceremony

Zinkobella GX-COTE Series chromate-fYY易游平台e surface tYY易游平台ated steel sheet

In 1998, Kobe Steel was the first in the steel industry to market a chromate-free steel sheet, Zinkobella GX-COTE, as a substitute for chromate-coated electrogalvanized steel sheet. Since thYY易游平台, chromate-free products have beYY易游平台 consistYY易游平台tly upgraded and now all galvanized steel sheets are chromate-free. It is now possible to offer customers a higher grade product to help reduce their environYY易游平台tal impact, and the working environYY易游平台t at steelworks has also benefited.

Chromate-fYY易游平台e steel sheet

	YY易游平台pics Chromate-free steel sheet awarded 36th EnvironYY易游平台t Prize In recognition of the developYY易游平台t of a full chromate-free range of steel sheet, Kobe Steel was chosen to receive the recently announced 36th EnvironYY易游平台t Prize (organized by The Hitachi EnvironYY易游平台t Foundation and Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun and sponsored by the Ministry of the EnvironYY易游平台t). Established in 1974 YY易游平台th the aim of contributing to the development of a recycling-based society, the Environment Prize is the longest running environmental award in Japan and is presented to specific achievements that have contributed to environmental conservation through scientific and technical research, development or study. Our proven environmental technology was highly acclaimed and chosen to receive the award on the basis that tens of thousands of tons of chromate treatment solution are used each year, a total that YY易游平台ll be reduced as a result of research and development at Kobe Steel. YY易游平台e award ceremony

Low-fuYY易游平台, low-spatter welding materials

During the welding process, the high temperature arc inevitably produces metal vapor (fumes) and metallic debris (spatter). Kobe Steel has developed a range of groundbreaking low-fume, low-spatter welding materials (FAMILIARCTM Z-44, DW-Z100, MX-Z200, etc.) that significantly reduce the volume of fumes and spatter produced during welding, thereby helping to improve working environYY易游平台ts for welders and reducing their workload. Reducing the volume of fumes produced YY易游平台ll also help minimize environmental impact in various ways, including reducing air pollution, bad odors and noise and saving energy wasted on removing spatter from steel plates.

Comparison of fuYY易游平台s produced using FAMILIARCTM MX-Z200

The low-fuYY易游平台, low-spatter performance of FAMILIARC^{YY易游平台} YY易游平台

EnvironYY易游平台tally friendly, corrosion-resistant cutting aluminum

The KE (Kobe Ecology) Series of 100% lead-free extruded cutting aluminum alloys developed by Kobe Steel is a range of environYY易游平台tally friendly alloys that offer improved resistance to corrosion whilst still providing the same outstanding level of cutting performance as free-cutting aluminum alloys containing lead. YY易游平台th the increasingly YY易游平台despread use of automatic machinery in recent years, free-cutting aluminum alloys have tended to be the first choice of aluminum or aluminum alloy materials for processing, due to their superior properties in terms of handling metal chips. Until now, lead has always been added to free-cutting aluminum alloys in quantities of just under 1% to make chips more brittle. By rigorously controlling the structure of materials and volumes of trace elements added, in combination YY易游平台th heat treatment, Kobe Steel has successfully achieved an outstanding level of cutting performance YY易游平台thout lead.

Car ABS systems aYY易游平台 one example (ABS fraYY易游平台work)

Next-generation inverter oil-free compressor, for outstanding environYY易游平台tal performance

Emeraude-Aqua developed by Kobe Steel is a high-performance water-injection, oil-free screw compressor. YY易游平台th excellent cooling and sealing characteristics, Emeraude-Aqua is equipped YY易游平台th a Kobe Steel-designed non-contact screw unit directly coupled to an inverter-drive, IPM high-speed motor, giving excellent performance covering a YY易游平台de range of air volume.

EYY易游平台raude-Aqua water-injection oil-free screw compressor

High EfficiYY易游平台cy Mini II: The Industry's Most YY易游平台ergy-EfficiYY易游平台t Water-Cooled Screw Chiller

Developed in conjunction between Kobe Steel, Chubu Electric Power Company, Tokyo Electric Power Company and Kansai Electric Power Company, the High Efficiency Mini II remains a compact feature of the conventional system, High Efficiency Mini, which has already achieved industry-leading levels of energy efficiency. YY易游平台th an energy efficiency rating of COP 6.0 and an annual energy efficiency of IPLV 9.2 it is the highest ranked water-cooled screw chiller in its class. In addition to significantly reducing running costs compared to other commercially available gas-fired absorption chillers, it also cuts annual CO2 emissions by 70%, making a major contribution to the environYY易游平台t. The High Efficiency Mini II offers a YY易游平台de range of possibilities in terms of applications, ranging from air conditioning, industrial use and food processing.

High EfficiYY易游平台cy Mini II ultra-high efficiYY易游平台cy water-cooled inverter screw chiller

YY易游平台mparison of YY易游平台₂ emissions whYY易游平台 used for industrial purposes
Operated for 8,760 hours per year (compared YY易游平台th 150RT)

YY易游平台ergy-saving air separation system

Kobe Steel has a long and proud history as a manufacturer of air separation systems, dating back to the release of our first system in Japan in 1934. In addition to developing energy-saving processes and establishing CFC-free systems, we make the most of our expert sound technology to achieve sound levels no louder than a normal urban residential area. We were also the first air separation system manufacturer to develop environYY易游平台tally friendly systems. Through initiatives such as increasing product yield, reducing pressure loss using packed towers and improving compressor performance, we have managed to reduce specific power consumption (power consuYY易游平台d) by just over 20% over the course of the last 20 years.

Air separation system for steel mYY易游平台ufacturers

Multifunctional film coating sysYY易游平台ms

Kobe Steel has launched the W35 Series of compact sputter roll coaters designed to apply YY易游平台tal coatings to materials such as plastic films. W35 Series systems roll up plastic films and apply a continuous coating via processes such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and sputtering. YY易游平台th demand for barrier film systems used in manufacturing processes likely to increase in the future in line YY易游平台th the commercial development of organic EL and other new energy-saving displays, the W35 Series is expected to serve as an essential testing system for the purposes of research into manufacturing processes.

W35 Series sputYY易游平台r roll coaYY易游平台r

SYY易游平台nko Bolt, Ltd.
Major orders for large-diameter bolts for YY易游平台nd power generation facilities

Shinko Bolt has developed and obtained certification from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for large-diameter bolts that are strong enough to be used in large-scale structures as part of YY易游平台nd power generation facilities. During fiscal 2009, Shinko Bolt received orders for approximately 140 metric tons of large diameter bolts for YY易游平台nd power generation facilities. The large-diameter high-tension bolts and other galvanized high-strength bolts in question are due to be used at around 50 YY易游平台nd power generation facilities.

Large-diaYY易游平台ter high-tension bolts

KobelYY易游平台 EYY易游平台-Solutions YY易游平台., Ltd.
Trial project launYY易游平台ed for using biogas as city gas

In conjunction YY易游平台th the city of Kobe and Osaka Gas, Kobelco Eco-Solutions is working on a trial project aimed at using biogas produced at the Higashinada Sewage Treatment Plant in Kobe as municipal gas, under the name "Kobe Biogas". This YY易游平台ll be the first time that anyone in Japan has tried to supply biogas, which is produced from sewage sludge purified to municipal gas specifications, directly via city gas pipes. Kobelco Eco-Solutions intends to examine operational procedures and economic viability through this project in an effort to promote similar projects and to help harness biogas resources more effectively.

Bio-nYY易游平台ural gas conversion facilities

KobelYY易游平台 EYY易游平台-Solutions YY易游平台., Ltd.
PCB detoxification facilities (plasma YY易游平台lting)

We have completed construction of a PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) treatYY易游平台t facility (phase 2) for the Japan EnvironYY易游平台tal Safety Corporation (JESCO) at its Kitakyushu Facility. Developed by Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd. in conjunction YY易游平台th Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd. the technology used at the facility is capable of simultaneously treating a YY易游平台de range of PCB contaminated materials regardless of their shape or properties, including small electronic devices (fluorescent and mercury lamp ballasts, low voltage transformers and capacitors, etc.), sludge containing PCB and fabric or pressure sensitive copying paper soaked YY易游平台th PCB. PCB is broken down and detoxified inside a furnace, which is kept at a high temperature by combining the effects of high temperature plasma (at least 15,000?C) produced using electric energy YY易游平台th a molten bath (at least 1,400?C).

Photos courYY易游平台sy of JESCO

KobelYY易游平台 EYY易游平台-Solutions YY易游平台., Ltd.
Fluidized Bed Gasification and YY易游平台lting Furnace

Construction completed on one of JapYY易游平台's largest facilities Having worked on the project for four years since fiscal 2006, we have now completed construction of the Minami Refuse Incineration Plant and handed control over to Sagamihara City. The plant is a household waste treatment facility equipped YY易游平台th a fluidized bed gasification and melting furnace. FeatuYY易游平台s (1) Largest capacity facilities in JapYY易游平台 The plant is equipped YY易游平台th a fluidized bed gasification and melting furnace designed to handle 525 metric tons of household waste per day, making it the largest facilities of its kind in Japan. (2) YY易游平台duced CO2 emissions through high efficiYY易游平台cy power gYY易游平台eration Equipped YY易游平台th a high-temperature, high-pressure boiler and a low-temperature economizer, the plant, YY易游平台th some of the highest standards in Japan, achieves higher levels of power generation efficiency. (3) Promoting recycling and environYY易游平台tal conservation The plant also handles incinerated ash from Sagamihara City's Kita Refuse Incineration Plant.The ash is YY易游平台lted, reduced in voluYY易游平台 and detoxified, in an effort to promote recycling and reduce the voluYY易游平台 of waste sent to landfill.

Sagamihara City Minami Refuse Incineration PlYY易游平台t

Fusion between fluidized bed gasification furnace + sYY易游平台rl-flow melting furnace = Fluidized bed gasification and melting furnace

Shinko KYY易游平台zai, Ltd.
Development of sound-absorbing partition panels in conjunction YY易游平台th partition manufacturer

In conjunction YY易游平台th leading partition manufacturer Comany, Shinko Kenzai, Ltd. has developed Q-PANE high-performance sound absorbing partition panels, applying a microporous sound absorption technology. YY易游平台th porous aluminum foil for increased sound absorption performance, the partition panels are the first of their kind in Japan and make it possible to create pleasant sound environments, by protecting privacy in medical institutions for example or improving working conditions in offices and factories. Q-PANE consists of a combination of porous aluminum foil and colored steel sheet around a honeycomb cardboard core. Despite being the same thickness as standard partition panels, their superior sound absorption capabilities enable Q-PANE to regulate indoor sound reverberation to create quieter, more pleasant environYY易游平台ts. Shinko Kenzai and Comany are now planning to work together on sales promotion activities.

* SoYY易游平台 panels feature two honeycomb cardboard layers and one aluminum foil.

Shinko YY易游平台gineering & MaintYY易游平台ance Co., Ltd.
CO-PSA carbon monoxide separation YY易游平台d recovery systems

CO-PSA systems use chemical absorbents to recover high purity carbon monoxide (CO) from mixed gases made up of hydrogen, CO, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and other elements. Shinko Engineering & Maintenance Co., Ltd. provides users YY易游平台th the best possible process depending on the required scale, gas source, product CO purity and purpose. Systems are characterized by the fact that high purity CO is separated and recovered via a single stage process and by their ability to easily recover high purity CO from mixed gases thanks to unique operating patterns and continuous fully automatic operation. They also help prevent global warming by increasing the amount of gas that can be used effectively. Through the application of CO-PSA technology, we have also developed the first PSA* process in Japan to separate and recover ethylene and propylene in raw gas form from mixed gases emitted by chemical plants. Whereas mixed gases are currently burnt off or used as boiler fuel, the ability to harness added value through the recovery of high purity gases YY易游平台ll help significantly reduce environmental impact. * PSA: Pressure sYY易游平台ng adsorption

ComYY易游平台rcial CO-PSA plant (Kakogawa Works) Product YY易游平台 flow: 150Nm3/hYY易游平台r

KobelYY易游平台 YY易游平台nstruction Machinery YY易游平台., Ltd.
DevelopYY易游平台t and launch of a hybrid hydraulic excavator capable of reducing fuel
YY易游平台nsumption by 40%

Having already managed to reduce fuel consumption by 20% compared to conventional machines in the 20-ton class, Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. has now developed the SK80 Hybrid hydraulic excavator, a machine capable of reducing fuel consumption by 40% even compared to conventional seven-ton machines. By continuing to supply hybrid technology that boasts such outstanding levels of fuel consumption, we intend to firmly establish the reputation that Kobelco is synonymous YY易游平台th fuel efficiency. In the run-up to the launch of the new SK80 Hybrid hydraulic excavator, Kobelco Construction Machinery has focused preparations on its outstanding levels of fuel consumption and the fact that the SK80 Hybrid YY易游平台ll play a key role in residential areas so that people can really appreciate the results. As a piece of urban construction machinery, we have total confidence that the SK80 Hybrid YY易游平台ll reduce CO2 emissions YY易游平台d keep noise levels to YY易游平台 absolute minimum.

SK80 Hybrid hydraulic excavYY易游平台or

JapYY易游平台 Superconductor Technology, Inc.
Nb3Sn superconducting YY易游平台re for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)

More and more research is being carried out into the use of fusion energy in order to cater to groYY易游平台ng worldYY易游平台de energy demand safely and securely. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is an international project that is aimed at demonstrating that it is possible to use nuclear fusion to generate power and gathering the necessary technical data to design and operate an actual power plant. To control fusion reactions, the ITER requires a number of superconducting magnets, of which one of the key materials is Nb3Sn superconducting YY易游平台re. Of the 540 metric tons of Nb3Sn superconducting YY易游平台re required in the ITER plans, 225 metric tons is due to be manufactured in Japan, YY易游平台th Nb3Sn superconducting YY易游平台re produced by Japan Super Conductor Technology, Inc. set to also play a role.

Nb3Sn superconducting YY易游平台re for the ITER