Shizuoka City and A Holdings Co., Ltd. Collaborate on Advanced Subcritical Water System
Shizuoka City and A Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, President and CEO: Hideaki Awai) have officially entered into a partnership to tackle significant environmental issues through the application of groundbreaking subcritical water integrated system technology. This partnership follows a successful demonstration experiment conducted at Shizuoka City’s Miho Rainwater Pump Station, where the new technology achieved a remarkable PFAS contamination removal rate of up to 88.7%.
Background of the Agreement
Shizuoka City has been grappling with high levels of PFAS, often termed “forever chemicals,” in its waterways and well water, particularly around the factories in Shimizu Ward. These substances, which do not easily break down, had seeped into the underground and subsequently flowed into the Miho Rainwater Pump Station. During periods of rainfall, the station processed over 10,000 tons of highly contaminated water daily, far exceeding national provisional guideline values.
In response to the city’s urgent need for a solution, A Holdings proposed a demonstration experiment to address PFAS contamination using their patented subcritical water integrated system. Installed in July 2024, the system employs a pressurised floating separation device, which has significantly improved PFAS removal efficiency. Following a month of successful trials, the agreement between A Holdings and Shizuoka City formalises their commitment to expanding these efforts and aims to establish Shizuoka City as a leading example of environmental and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) advancements.
Future Prospects and Developments
The subcritical water integrated system holds promise beyond PFAS removal. This innovative technology not only separates and removes PFAS but also decomposes it into harmless molecules. Furthermore, it has applications in removing radioactive substances, such as tritium, and reducing CO2 and dioxin emissions in industrial waste treatment processes.
To further these advancements, A Holdings will establish a new corporation, with Shizuoka City as a key participant, dedicated to leveraging the subcritical water integrated system for multiple applications. This new entity will focus on developing a broad SDGs model city, starting with Shizuoka City’s initiative, and extend its impact to address global environmental challenges.
Comprehensive Partnership Agreement Overview
- Technology Research and Social Implementation
- Ongoing demonstration experiments at Miho Rainwater Pump Station to reduce PFAS contamination to levels below national provisional guideline values.
- Promotion of PFAS removal and detoxification efforts through the broader application of the subcritical water integrated system.
- Realisation of an Environmentally Advanced SDGs City
- Application of subcritical water technology to convert waste into valuable resources such as compost and hydrogen.
- Expansion of environmental solutions through business development, aiming to disseminate these innovations beyond Shizuoka City.
- Establishment of a New Corporation
- Focus on addressing radioactive substance removal and reducing CO2 and dioxin emissions.
- Ongoing efforts to decompose removed PFAS to molecular levels and contribute to solving global environmental problems.
This landmark agreement underscores the commitment of Shizuoka City and A Holdings to advancing environmental technology and creating a sustainable future. Through their collaboration, they aim to drive significant progress in environmental protection and establish a model for other cities around the world.