Modal shift to rail transport reduces CO2 emissions and aims to resolve environmental and logistics issues
Our Steel Division has established the "Modal Shift Toyohashi Kitakami Container Transport Council" together with I-Tech Co., Ltd., Japan Freight Railway Company, Hamamatsu Commission Transportation Co., Ltd., and Sanpachigo Transportation Co., Ltd., and is promoting a modal shift to the use of rail for the transportation steel materials.
This initiative began operation in November 2024 with the primary objective of reducing CO2 emissions and improving logistics efficiency. Specifically, when transporting steel materials products used in construction and civil engineering manufactured at our Toyohashi Plant (Aichi Prefecture) to ITEC Kitakami D.M.C. (Iwate Prefecture), we are switching from conventional trailer transport to rail transport using newly constructed 31-foot containers. This change in transportation method has achieved the following results:
- Reduce CO2 emissions from transportation by approximately 389 tons per year (77%)
- Reduced driving time for long-distance trailer transport by 2,256 hours per year (61%)
- Promoting work style reform by reducing the burden on drivers
- Responding to the 2024 problem (tighter working hour regulations in the logistics industry)
Going forward, we will continue to work to build a sustainable logistics system that contributes to reducing environmental impact and resolving social issues.
For the transport of steel materials between Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture and Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, and the return of the loading equipment used during that transport, we have converted part of the route to rail transport, thereby reducing the labor required by truck drivers and reducing CO2 emissions.
Akemi Recycling Center contributes to the development of baseball bats made from recycled aluminum from the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train
Akemi Recycling Center, Ltd., a member of the Topy Industries Group, contributed to the development of metal baseball bats for children made from recycled aluminum used in Tokaido Shinkansen trains, and received a letter of appreciation from Central Japan Railway Company in October 2023.
The Akemi Recycling Center was responsible for the process of producing aluminum chips from retired Tokaido Shinkansen trains by removing impurities such as paint from the trains, using equipment such as some of the largest shredders in the country and advanced metal sorting facilities, as well as its own unique technology.
This recycled aluminum from the Tokaido Shinkansen reduces CO2 emissions during production by 97% compared to producing new aluminum, making it possible to contribute to reducing the burden on the environment. It is therefore expected that the material will find expanded use in the future, such as being used as a building material or being recycled horizontally into Shinkansen cars.
Toshinmaru receives highest rating for energy efficiency in coastal shipping
The general cargo ship Toshinmaru, owned by Topy Marine Transport, Ltd., was awarded the highest rating of five stars in the domestic ship energy saving rating system certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in September 2023 as a ship with extremely high energy saving and CO2 emission reduction performance.
[Outline of Toshinmaru]
1) Ship type: General cargo ship
2) Gross tonnage: 499 tons
3) Main routes: Toyohashi - Keihin/Kansai
TACoil® is Japan's first compact coil made from high-density reinforced concrete steel bars.
TACoil® provides advanced solutions that contribute to resolving problems such as labor shortages, processing losses, and storage space issues that everyone involved in rebar processing faces.
In May 2023, it was registered on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's new technology information system "NETIS."
1) Product name: TACoil®
2) Size: D10, D13, D16
3) Weight: 2 tons, 3 tons
4) Features
- By using it together with an NC processing machine, it greatly improves processing efficiency and contributes to resolving labor shortages.
- It is possible to reduce the loss during processing to the limit and improve the yield.
- The high density and compact size make it possible to save storage space. It also has excellent transportation efficiency.
- Even when drawn and used as straightened bars, it retains the same performance as existing deformed reinforcing bars.
The Evolution Type SGOR® wheels for mining equipment allows tires to be replaced without removing the wheel from the mining machinery. This wheel meets the needs of mining operators at a high level, such as improving the operating rate of mining machinery and improving work efficiency and safety during maintenance.
1) Product name: Evolution Type SGOR®
2) Size: 57 inch, 63 inch
3) Weight: about 2 tons to 3 tons
4) Features
- Tires can be changed without removing the wheel body from the mining machine.
- Reducing the number of man-hours required for tire replacement not only shortens work time significantly, but also reduces dangerous work by improving work efficiency.
- It completely eliminates the use of impact wrenches and reduces the risk of causing vasomotor neuropathy (white finger disease).
- expansion
- Scene of tire change work
(Tires can be replaced without removing the wheel body from the mining machine.)
