Society Challenges
The environmental field poses many society challenges. These include the problem of climate change and environmental pollution such as water and air pollution, which are caused by factors such as population growth, increasing resource and energy consumption, and expanding economic activity. The increasingly severe impact on human health and the economy from such challenges have resulted in stricter environmental regulations in countries around the world. Attention is increasingly being focused on marine pollution caused by microplastic trash. Microplastics are commonly found in seawater, plankton, inside fish, and elsewhere, but their impact on the environment and ecosystems is still not clear, and research is being conducted to determine that impact. Meanwhile, in the energy field, growing global demand is raising expectations for next-generation energy technologies, and the spread of electric vehicles (EVs) is driving investment in the development of next-generation rechargeable batteries and biofuels based on microalgae, for example.
Contribution to SDGs
As societies search for ways to reduce their global environmental impact, stricter regulations are being established regarding products and corporate manufacturing activities. A further challenge is promoting the widespread use of renewable energy as an alternative to burning fossil fuels. Therefore, Shimadzu will continue to develop products that contribute to the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), such as by monitoring for global environment conservation and by supporting the development of renewable energy.
Measures by Shimadzu Corporation
Satisfying Demands for Expanding Online Environmental Measurement in China
In China, regulations to reduce emissions of various environmental pollutants have been strengthened year by year. China’s Environmental Protection Administration mandated, in August 2017, that all manufacturers that emit nitrogen or phosphorous must install measuring instruments and data transmission equipment. The government has required continuous monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can cause air pollution due to PM2.5 particles.
To meet these demands, Shimadzu provides various online measuring instruments for monitoring water quality and gas emissions and provides customers with support in complying with regulations and taking environmental measures.
VOC-3000F Online VOC Analyzer
Make Maintenance Services More Efficient via the Cloud
Shimadzu online total nitrogen and phosphorus analyzers (TNP analyzers) which are widely used in Japan can be used to continuously monitor measurement data or instrument sensing information via the cloud, which means customers can respond to problems quickly and accurately. We also intend to contribute to reforming customer working practices by offering labor-saving solutions.
TNP-4200 Online Total Nitrogen and Phosphorus Analyzer
Partnering with Others to Respond to the Growing Problem of Microplastics and Create New Business Opportunities
In addition to supplying instruments for analyzing and measuring the type and quantity of plastic particles, we are also developing new technology for the simultaneous measurement of both the particle size distribution and count concentration using a state-of-the-art dynamic particle image analysis system for solving environmental pollution caused by microplastics in oceans and rivers. We are also developing techniques for analyzing hazardous substances adhering to the surface of microplastic particles. We regularly release information about such technologies and techniques on our website and elsewhere, and have already published the results of collaborative experiments with researchers in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and other countries. We will make every effort to help solve these difficult challenges from a global perspective, by working in collaboration with experts in Japan and overseas, with the Shimadzu R&D, marketing, and application development groups, and with others, such as our contract analysis subsidiary Shimadzu Techno-Research.
Renewable Energy Measures
Shimadzu uses the technologies and instruments it has cultivated as a comprehensive manufacturer of analytical instruments and industrial machinery to help customers develop, manufacture, and perform quality assurance for various applications in areas such as lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, solar power generation, biomass systems, biofuels, and photocatalyst/artificial photosynthesis.
For example, we help customers analyze components in biofuels during development and help control quality at the manufacturing stage. For power generation from wood-based biomass, the moisture content of the wood is controlled prior to combustion, and the presence and quantity of hazardous substances is measured in the ash after it has been burnt. Even for solar power generation, we contribute by providing analytical data for development and quality assurance and by supplying turbomolecular pumps used to create the high vacuum environments essential for manufacturing solar cells.
Shimadzu will help achieve a sustainable society that has a lower environmental impact with providing our technologies, products, and services.
Example of Analyzing Microplastics with Infrared Microscope
FTIR Spectrophotometer + Infrared Microscope Using for Identification of Microplastics
LCMS-8060 Ultra Fast Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer Using for Analyzing Hazardous Substances Adhering to the Surface of Microplastics