Strengthening the Technology Development Structure and Securing New Technologies

「We are conducting R&D on concentration and separation technologies for PFOA and PFOS and developing separation equipment using these technologies. Concentrating and separating PFOA and PFOS in groundwater can substantially reduce the volume of material requiring treatment, with potential benefits including lower costs and reduced environmental impact.」

「To respond rapidly to customer needs, we will strengthen the structure for developing, introducing and proposing new technologies and construction methods, centered on the Technology Strategy Department. This will include development using pollutant-degrading microorganisms through joint research with universities, the introduction from the United States of a new in-situ permeable barrier method, the Plume Stop method, development of remediation technologies for the new target substances PFAS (PFOA and PFOS), and sales of PFAS-free products.」

「During the fiscal year, the conformity review by the expert review panel for the Guidelines for the Use of Bioremediation by Microorganisms, supervised by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment, was completed, and the company received certificates confirming conformity with the guidelines from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Minister of the Environment. The technology can now be used in actual projects.」

「Following repeated consultations with the relevant departments of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment and with members of the expert committee, the company obtained broad approval and is expected to receive approval for use after the expert committee review in the next fiscal year.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the nine-month cumulative period was ¥4.538 million.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the three-month cumulative period was ¥1.778 million.」

「During the fiscal year, we compiled an application for the conformity review under the Guidelines for the Use of Bioremediation by Microorganisms, supervised by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of the Environment, using performance evaluation test data at laboratory scale and data confirming microbial behavior at the genetic level. We began consultations with the relevant departments and an expert committee and conducted surveys and additional experiments to address several comments. Development of a mass-cultivation method for a consortium including the relevant bacteria, which began in the previous fiscal year in preparation for commercialization, was completed using a beer-barrel-shaped cultivation apparatus.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the nine-month cumulative period was ¥3.929 million.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the six-month cumulative period was ¥2.460 million.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the three-month cumulative period was ¥0.952 million.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the nine-month cumulative period was ¥18.077 million.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the six-month cumulative period was ¥11.269 million.」

「The capital and business alliance with 鉱研工業株式会社 began, strengthening sales capabilities in Japan and overseas and initiating joint development of technologies and services.」

「During the fiscal year, as in the previous fiscal year, we worked to establish construction and operational management technologies through full-scale construction at actual contaminated sites and to develop the plant.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the nine-month cumulative period was ¥81.926 million.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the six-month cumulative period was ¥71.374 million.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the three-month cumulative period was ¥1.952 million.」

「As one of these initiatives, we opened a group research and development center after renovating a building.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the six-month cumulative period was ¥8.061 million.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the three-month cumulative period was ¥0.890 million.」

「We introduced technologies relating to design methods, equipment specifications and construction methods, established testing methods to assess applicability for full-scale construction at actual contaminated sites, carried out remediation design work including well layout and calculations of heat, gas and treated-water volumes at sites, and designed and manufactured treatment equipment. R&D expenses for the fiscal year were ¥21.311 million.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the nine-month cumulative period was ¥15.917 million.」

「The amount spent on research and development activities across the group during the six-month cumulative period was ¥1.914 million.」

「In addition to in-house technology development, we are actively pursuing joint research with universities in Japan and overseas and the introduction of technologies from leading overseas companies. In March 2016, we acquired the rights to implement in-situ thermal treatment technology already in commercial use in the United States and Europe.」