Turning waste into waste! Macnica and Suzuyo Shoji take on the challenge of 100% resource recycling – Recycling sludge with the final piece, "Melt King IoT" –

Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Kazumasa Kazumasa Hara; hereinafter referred to as Macnica) announced today that it has jointly established a resource recycling model with Suzuyo Shoji Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture; Representative Director and President: Masahiko Ito; hereinafter referred to as Suzuyo Shoji) at the "Suzuyo Kikugawa Biogas Plant ^*1" operated by Suzuyo Shoji, utilizing Macnica 's waste drying and reduction device "Melt King IoT ^*2" to achieve 100% resource utilization.
In this model, fermentation residue (hereinafter referred to as sludge), which contains a large amount of moisture, is dried to achieve a significant reduction in volume and weight, and then recycled as fertilizer and fuel. As a result, even sludge, which previously required costly final treatment, can be converted into a resource without waste, and we have succeeded in establishing an environmentally and economically friendly resource recycling model.

■Suzuyo Shoji's biogas plant aimed at resource recycling: its challenges
Suzuyo Shoji began operating the "Suzuyo Kikugawa Biogas Plant" in June 2016 with the aim of reusing agricultural residues generated in the tomato and other crop cultivation business of its affiliated company, Bellfarm Co., Ltd., and has been developing a biogas power generation business using methane fermentation with organic waste such as agricultural residues as raw materials.
On the other hand, the sludge generated during the power generation process at the plant was difficult to utilize due to its strong odor and high moisture content, making it the only material that could not be recycled within the plant's processes. Therefore, sludge treatment was outsourced, and this treatment cost accounted for approximately 50% of operating costs excluding personnel expenses, posing a significant challenge to the business's profitability. In addition, surplus biogas generated in excess of the power generation capacity was incinerated, making the effective utilization of unused energy another challenge.

■ By teaming up with Macnica, we will eliminate waste completely and complete resource recycling.
To address these challenges, Suzuyo Shoji and Macnica have jointly developed a resource recycling model that simultaneously achieves sludge treatment and energy utilization. Utilizing Macnica 's waste drying and reduction device, "Melt King IoT," sludge is dried, reduced in volume, and deodorized, allowing it to be recycled as fertilizer and fuel, which is now being supplied to local farms and factory boilers.
Furthermore, we jointly developed a specification that allows "MeltKing IoT" to utilize biogas derived from resource recycling generated at a biogas plant as a heat source necessary for its operation, making it possible to effectively utilize surplus biogas that was previously incinerated. As a result, "MeltKing IoT" is the final piece to complete resource recycling, reducing transportation and processing costs for sludge and achieving near 100% resource recycling.

■Regarding the future
Suzuyo Shoji and Macnica will establish a system to return agricultural residues generated at farms using successfully recycled fertilizer back to the biogas plant, aiming to create a complete resource recycling loop. In addition, they will expand the resource recycling model established with the introduction of "MeltKing IoT" to other biogas power generation facilities facing similar challenges.

<Figure: Resource recycling model that realizes sludge treatment and energy utilization>

*1: Overview of the Suzuyo Kikugawa Biogas Plant

Location: 4035 Nishikata, Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Power generation capacity: 145kW (two 60kW generators, one 25kW generator)
Gas generation rate: 855 Nm³-CH4/day
Methane fermentation raw materials: Food manufacturing residues discharged from food factories, food waste generated at Kikugawa City-owned facilities,
Agricultural residue generated locally

*2: "MeltKing IoT" is a waste drying and volume reduction device jointly developed and manufactured by Macnica and a manufacturer. It reduces the volume of waste by indirectly heating and agitating it at high temperatures. IoT enables visualization of operating status and processing status, supporting daily operations. It also features high deodorizing performance and a compact design, enabling the addition of functionality as an add-on without changing the specifications of the biogas plant.
URL: https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/energy/products/136926/

[About Macnica 's Environmental Solutions Business]
In addition to handling semiconductors, Macnica is working with various partner companies to address environmental issues by utilizing cutting-edge technologies from around the world. Our circular economy business encompasses four areas: energy management, energy conservation management, resource recycling management, and environmental life management. By providing solutions that help our customers overcome their environmental challenges, we contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, building a decarbonized society, and realizing a sustainable society for the future.

Learn more about Macnica 's circular economy business here:
www.macnica.co.jp/business/energy/

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*The information published in the news release (including product price, specifications, etc.) is current as of the date of announcement. Please note that the information may be subject to change without prior notice.