Some of Ube Industries R&D achievements in environmental systems have been already put into practical use, and a typical example is the pressurized two-stage gasification system "EUP"(*1). "EUP" gasifies waste plastics and other organic wastes in reducing atmosphere and then converts them into synthesis gas of mainly carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
 The technology of multi-fuel combustion involving non-fossil fuels such as wood biomass and coal, for which the verification testing has been completed, is expected to contribute hugely to reduce the environmental load (CO2) generated by our power plant.
 A new "Z-sand" material, which enables effective use of environmentally problematic coal ash, is now produced at a commercial scale and the testing of its long-term environmental load is being carried out.
 "Z-sand" is artifitial grain sand made of ashes from coal-fired power plants at lower cost and with minimum environmental impact. Large demand is expected as a strong lightweight material for civil engineering applications.
 Several R&D programs are also under way; decontamination of swimming pool water with photocatalytic fibers, and recovery of unused energy by thermoelectric conversion.

(*1) "EUP" is a registered trademark of EUP