Sustainability Topics (Environment)

Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (TNSC), Taiyo Nippon Sanso ATI Corporation (TNATI), and the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have achieved the high-speed growth of high-purity β-gallium oxide (β-Ga2O3) thick films using the metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) method, which has been considered difficult. β-Ga2O3 is attracting attention as an important semiconductor for next-generation power devices, which are essential for increasing the efficiency of power control and conversion systems. Based on the reaction analysis result inside a proprietary crystal-growing reactor, we verified high-speed growth of high-purity β-Ga2O3 free from carbon impurities. This achievement is expected to lead to the practical application of mass production technology for β-Ga2O3 power devices for the realization of an energy-saving society in the future.

Low-pressure hot-wall MOVPE reactor
(FR2000-OX)

Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (TNSC) has developed an equipment that can reconcentrate the used heavy water that were previously disposed of in the past, and has established a system for recycling heavy water at the Tsukuba Laboratory. Heavy water is water that contains a large amount of deuterium, a stable isotope of hydrogen. It is used in a variety of research fields including nuclear energy and the research of solvent for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. Japan now relies on imports from abroad for all of its domestic needs for heavy water, and it is not an easy substance to obtain on a stable basis, as it is susceptible to overseas supply and demand conditions and the export policies of the countries from which it is sourced. TNSC is the first Japanese company to commercialize heavy water reconcentration. By using this recycling system, a portion of the heavy water used for deuterium-labeled compounds^*2 can be sourced in-house, and the amount of waste heavy water is expected to be reduced by half compared to our previous system. Going forward, we will continue to maintain stable operation of the reconcentration equipment, explore heavy water reuse needs outside the company, and study ways to increase production in response to demand.

(Notes) 
^*1 Based on research by TNSC
^*2 Deuterium-labeled compounds is a general term for compounds in which some or all of the hydrogen atoms in the compound are replaced by deuterium (D).

Nippon Sanso Vietnam (NSVN) opened its first industrial gas filling station in Northern Vietnam. The new station boasts a filling capacity of up to 1,920 cylinders each per month for nitrogen, argon, and up to five types of gas mixtures. Notably, it is the only station in Vietnam capable of supplying MG Shield gas, a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). The facility has an industry-leading filling pressure of up to 300 barG, allowing for more efficient gas storage and transportation to benefit customers across diverse industries. NSVN is committed to supporting the growth and development of industries in Northern Vietnam by providing reliable, high-quality gas solutions.

Exterior view of the filling station

Supagas is working on a productivity project to reduce CO₂ gas losses, and a new storage vessel has been installed to replace the ISO container used previously. The new storage tank is fitted with a CO₂ condenser to control the pressure inside the vessel and reduce gas venting due to pressure build up. The project is expected to reduce CO₂ losses by 60,000kg per year. Additionally, a new LPG recovery system has been designed, which allows the residual product in LPG cylinders undergoing periodic inspection to be recovered and stored, and then used for filling new SupaSwap cylinders.* This recovery system can recover 26,000kg of LPG per year.

*SupaSwap cylinder:
Portable 3.5kg and 8.5kg LPG cylinders used by residential customers. Customers bring in their empty cylinders to swap for full ones.

New storage vessel (The ISO container is on the right.)

MATHESON’s new Johnsonville, Tennessee electronic and specialty gas site was recently the recipient of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry Association 2023 Environment and Energy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Solid Waste Management. The award is designed to recognize businesses and industries that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in environmental protection and enhancement as well as proactive and innovative energy projects. The facility was recognized for its dedication to continuous reduction of solid wastes (both non-hazardous and hazardous) and to large-scale recycling efforts. Its recycling rate increased by 20% from 2019 to 2022, and it has achieved a 43% landfill diversion rate. This facility continues to find new opportunities to improve and demonstrate its commitment to environmental excellence.

Taiyo Nippon Sanso has developed, commercialized, and began selling a CO₂ capture system using the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) method, which is capable of capturing CO₂ at a concentration of 98% or higher from high-concentration CO₂ emission sources such as lime kilns. This initiative is a step toward carbon neutrality that leverages our accumulated gas separation and refining technologies to advance the development of CO₂ capture equipment. The system can collect CO₂ and use the highly concentrated CO₂ as a raw material for carbonates or methanation. We will continue to contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society by combining CO₂ capture systems with our accumulated gas and liquefied CO₂ production and supply technologies, utilizing the gas supply network for CO₂ capture and other applications.

Rendering of CO2 capture system

NSHD is switching to renewable energy by converting some power sources to solar power while aggressively investing in solar power generation facilities as a part of its efforts to realize a carbon neutral society. The table on the right lists business sites that have installed solar power generation equipment in recent years. By setting up solar power generation equipment, we advance measures to greenify electricity, helping to improve the global environment by reducing indirect emissions of CO₂ associated with the consumption of electric power.

Taiyo Nippon Sanso has started manufacturing and selling deuterated ammonia (a high-pressure gas), where the hydrogen in ammonia (NH3) is replaced with deuterium (D). Previously, Japan relied on imports from foreign countries to meet demand for deuterated ammonia, which is used in semiconductors, chemical reaction materials, and analysis applications. With our proprietary technology, we have successfully built a process capable of producing high-purity, high-deuterium-concentration products, establishing Japan’s first mass production system and putting into place a supply system to meet growing global demand for deuterated ammonia. We will continue to increase production in anticipation of future growth in demand.