Miyagi Oki Develops a New Bacteria-based Wastewater Treatment Process - Reducing Yearly Waste Disposal Costs by 3.5 Million Yen -

Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. announced that Miyagi Oki Electric Co., Ltd., its semiconductor-manufacturing subsidiary, has developed a highly effective bacteria-based wastewater-treatment process. Against the 8 million yen spent on renovating the treatment facility for the new process, a 70% reduction in organic wastewater, or 1980 ton per year, is expected to be attained, together with a yearly saving of 35 million yen in waste disposal consignment costs.

Tokyo, Japan, (PRWEB) October 28, 2003 -- Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6703) today announced that Miyagi Oki Electric Co., Ltd., its semiconductor-manufacturing subsidiary, has developed a highly effective bacteria-based wastewater-treatment process. Against the 8 million yen spent on renovating the treatment facility for the new process, a 70% reduction in organic wastewater, or 1980 ton per year, is expected to be attained, together with a yearly saving of 35 million yen in waste disposal consignment costs.

The new process developed by Miyagi Oki distributes wastewater to different pipes, according to type, then applies the appropriate bacteria. Bacteria cultivated in concentrated amounts decompose organic substances into water and carbon gas thus reducing waste. Bacteria activity depends on temperature, so treatment tanks were maintained at 36°C throughout the year – keeping the bacteria at maximum activity. This was enabled using the excess heat from air conditioning boilers and other facilities. Using the new process, wastewater decomposition efficiency has been improved by 50%, which enables the company to treat 97% of wastewater internally, drastically reduce the volume of organic wastewater, and cut disposal costs.

Previously, Miyagi Oki only treated 90% of the alkaline wastewater at its internal facility using bacteria. The remainder was thermally recycled as a combustion-improver by external waste disposers. However, this method generates carbon dioxide during the recycling and delivery processes, and requires disposal costs. It also entails the risk of accidental spillage during transportation.

"The new method for biological treatment of wastewater was realized by Okis facility control know-how, including water temperature and water flow control, developed through semiconductor manufacturing processes," said Masayoshi Ino, Executive Vice President at Oki Electric. "We will pursue further improvements in order to realize 100% biological treatment of organic wastewater."

Using this technology, Oki intends to promote the creation of Recycling-style Facility Environment, the system that can also handle the chemicals used in manufacturing processes. The new bio-recycling system will be marketed by Oki Environment Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Oki Electric.


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About Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
Founded more than a century ago in 1881, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. is Japan's first telecommunications manufacturer, with its headquarter in Tokyo, Japan. With the corporate vision, "Oki, Network Solutions for a Global Society," Oki Electric provides top-quality products, technologies and solutions to its customers through its telecommunications systems, information systems and electronic devices segments. All three segments are integrated into one effective organization that functions as a collective force to create exciting new products and technologies, including information and telecom converged solutions. Through its business activities, Oki Electric satisfies a spectrum of customer needs in various markets. Visit Oki's global web site at http://www.oki.com/.

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