FAR EAST: JAPAN REPORT
Last month, I visited the three-day 2022 NEW Environmental Exposition, an exhibition of environment-related equipment in Tokyo. The show promoted the effective use of resources, new energy and energy reduction, and the utilization of CO2 emission reduction technologies
Source: Official Website
PSR Analysis: The exhibition featured many environment-related devices for waste treatment, demolition, bioplastics, water treatment and purification, heat utilization systems, recycling, and more.
Large equipment such as those that crush and efficiently separate debris mixed with earth, sand, and wood; metal recovery systems from seawater using special fibers, and equipment related to crushing wood, stone, and other materials were eye-catching in variety and size.
As for electrification, there were exhibits of electric models of wood crushers, rough terrain transporters, and jaw crushers. Many of these electric models were developed using battery units sold by power companies as packs. These battery packs are large in both weight and size and are not easily replaceable, so future issues will probably be higher output and drive time.
Longer drive times are essential for models that are designed to be transported and moved on rough terrain, etc. At the present time, these models are still in the concept model stage, but through the development of such models, manufacturers are gaining a variety of know-how and accumulating technology for future mass production.
For equipment that is designed for stationary use, such as crushers, users already understand that as long as a separate power supply is provided, the capacity is almost equal to that of an engine model, and I feel that acceptance in the market has matured. The wave of electrification is also reaching the fields of off-road equipment and environmental equipment.
The admission system for this event has changed considerably. In the past, visitors who had pre-registered had to hand in their business card and receive a neck holder at the reception desk, but recently the system has been changed to a touchless system whereby visitors take a neck holder placed on a wagon, insert a form printed after pre-registration in place of a name tag, and the QR code is read by staff using a tablet for entry. The exhibition hall also featured live YouTube streaming on a large LCD screen, a sign of the changing times. PSR
Akihiro Komuro is Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia for Power Systems Research
