– The 50th Ceremony of the Excellence in Environmental Equipment Awards – “Chairman’s Award of the Japanese Society of Industrial Machinery Manufacturers”

We are pleased to announce that our VOLUTE DUO™ sludge dewatering press has received the Chairman’s Award from the Japanese Society of Industrial Machinery Manufacturers (JSIM) at the 50th Excellence in Environmental Equipment Awards.
Our VOLUTE DUO™ builds upon the technology of our previously developed VOLUTE™ model, while incorporating new and innovative features. This award recognizes our company’s groundbreaking sludge dewatering technology for its contribution to environmental protection. The ceremony took place on Friday, March 21, at the Machinery Promotion Hall in Minato-ward, Tokyo, where the lead developer was presented with a certificate and commemorative gift.

The “Excellence in Environmental Equipment Awards” have been held annually since 1974, organized by the JSIM with the support of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The awards honor researchers, developers, and businesses behind outstanding environmental equipment, aiming to promote the development and dissemination of environmental protection technologies.

Eligible equipment includes systems and technology that help to reduce negative environmental impacts through air pollution control, water purification, waste treatment, and recycling. Applications from environmental equipment manufacturers and engineering firms across Japan are evaluated based on four criteria: (1) originality, (2) performance, (3) economic viability, and (4) future potential. After document-based screening and on-site evaluations, our VOLUTE DUO™ was deemed exemplary to receive the Chairman’s Award following a rigorous review process.

Sludge dewatering presses are devices that remove water from sludge—a form of industrial waste generated during wastewater treatment—reducing its moisture content and thereby minimizing disposal volume. Sludge is one of the most challenging types of industrial waste to treat, with high environmental impact, making it a significant issue for many businesses.

As decarbonization and resource recycling become more important, our sludge dewatering press helps address these challenges with its high filtration performance—even for low-concentration sludge—as well as its water-saving and energy-efficient design.

Our VOLUTE DUO™ was developed to overcome the following limitations of conventional models:

• High cost of consumable part replacement
• Decline in dewatering performance over time due to wear and tear
• Difficulty handling sludge that clogs easily, such as fibrous or inorganic sludge

By evolving from the traditional “one screw per cylinder” design to a “two screws per cylinder” structure, VOLUTE DUO™ offers the following advantages:

• Significant reduction in consumable parts cost
  By eliminating the physical contact of consumable parts, we have realized approximately 52% in cost savings compared to its predecessor.
• Sustained dewatering performance over time
  Minimizing wear-induced degradation ensures long-term stable operation.
• Compatibility with a wide range of sludge types
  Enables stable operation even with clog-prone sludge containing high levels of fibers or inorganic materials.

Thanks to this technological innovation, VOLUTE DUO™ has achieved 20 installations worldwide since its launch in 2021. We are currently receiving over 10 inquiries per month, with nine units scheduled for delivery between late March and September 2025. This momentum suggests that the VOLUTE DUO™ will see further expansion both domestically and internationally, with potential for adoption in new industries and facilities.

Sludge accounts for approximately 40% of industrial waste and is often incinerated or landfilled. The proper treatment in reducing the volume of sludge will be a critical challenge in achieving environmental conservation, CO₂ reduction, and a sustainable society.

Inspired by this award, our company will continue to pursue technological innovation in sludge treatment and remain committed to developing and promoting more efficient and environmentally friendly sludge dewatering solutions.