World’s First “Next Generation Chimney” Wins Good Design Award

Jonan Sanitation Management Association
Hitachi Zosen Corporation
Taiyo Kogyo Corporation

Jonan Sanitation Management Association (Kyoto Prefecture; Administrator: Tadashi Yamamoto), Hitachi Zosen Corporation (Head Office: Suminoe-ku, Osaka; Chairman and President: Takashi Tanisho; hereinafter “Hitachi Zosen”), and Taiyo Kogyo Corporation (Head Office: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Hidefumi Araki; hereinafter “Taiyo Kogyo”) have received the “Next Generation The world’s first “next-generation chimney” that uses a membrane structure for the outer wall of a refuse incineration facility has received the “Good Design Award 2018” from the Good Design Awards of the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, in recognition of its lightweight and environmental performance achieved through the new construction method.

The Good Design Award jury members’ evaluation of the next-generation chimney was as follows

This project is a new concept in which the chimneys of refuse incinerators are constructed with a membrane material. The lightweight “fluoroplastic titanium dioxide photocatalytic membrane material” makes it possible to reduce the weight of the chimney by far compared to conventional chimneys, and the installation period can be shortened. In addition, the titanium dioxide photocatalyst protects the chimney from dirt and exhaust gas contamination. In the future, various ways of using and expressing chimneys are conceivable, such as combining them with light to serve as electric billboards. This is an ambitious proposal that will significantly change the way chimneys will be used in the future.

The Next Generation Chimney is a new construction method chimney that was jointly developed by Hitachi Zosen and Taiyo Kogyo in 2011, and commercialized in 2013 after undergoing technical review by a performance evaluation organization designated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The chimney was put into practical use at “Clean Park Orii” (client: Jonan Sanitation Management Association), which started operation in April this year, ahead of any other chimneys in the world, based on a proposal from Hitachi Zosen.
This product is the first application of membrane materials to chimney exteriors, realizing an ultra-lightweight exterior that cannot be achieved with conventional concrete or PC panels, and contributes to the stable operation of facilities by improving earthquake resistance and avoiding chimney collapse due to earthquakes.

The membrane material is “fluoropolymer titanium oxide photocatalytic membrane material,” which decomposes nitrogen compounds (NOx) contained in the air with titanium oxide photocatalyst, purifying the surrounding environment, and maintains whiteness with a self-cleaning effect that breaks down dirt. In addition to reducing the burden of maintenance and management, it also realizes a facility where residents can live with peace of mind, focusing on environmental aspects.

The Good Design Award is given by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, which evaluates and honors the quality of designs that people have created to fulfill some ideal or purpose. The Good Design Awards are given by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, a public interest incorporated foundation, in order to promote the spread of “excellent design” in society, thereby enriching our lives and encouraging the development of industry at the same time.
In addition, the next-generation chimneys will be featured in a special exhibit at the GOOD DESIGN EXHIBITION 2018, where the latest Good Design Award-winning products will be on display, as follows.

• Dates: October 31 (Wed) – November 4 (Sun)
• Venue: Tokyo Midtown (Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)

Jonan Sanitation Management Association is a special local public organization created by three cities and three towns, Uji City, Joyo City, Yawata City, Kumiyama Town, Ujitawara Town, and Ide Town, to promote environmental waste administration. The association has constructed Clean Park Orii in response to the aging of the Orii Incineration Plant (waste incineration facility) and is implementing the Orii Incineration Plant Renewal Facility Development and Operation Project.
Clean Park Orii is an environmentally friendly waste incineration facility that contributes to the formation of a recycling-oriented society by generating electricity from the heat generated by waste combustion, supplying hot water to the adjacent sports park, generating solar power, and using rainwater from the roof. A clock on the chimney, which is visible from the sports park, will make the facility a favorite among the local community.

• Location: 18 Uji Orii, Uji City, Kyoto, Japan
• Completion: March, 2008

Hitachi Zosen has delivered more than 400 reinforced concrete and steel chimneys to municipal waste incineration and power generation facilities and thermal power plants, and has top-level experience and technology in chimney design, fabrication, and construction in Japan.

As a manufacturer of large-scale membrane structural buildings, Taiyo Kogyo designs and constructs membrane structural buildings for various fields and applications, including roof membranes for the Tokyo Dome (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) and Nagai Athletic Stadium (Higashi Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka) in Japan, as well as large-scale sports facilities overseas.