The entire manufacturing process is carried out in a single plant-,from fabricating the LCD panels to final assembly. This makes it possible to consolidate technical departments and to strengthen our development capabilities, as well as shorten the lead-time from order to shipping. Eliminating the need to ship sub-assemblies between distant plants has also enabled us to slash the amount of packaging materials required for shipping and to reduce emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2).
The Kameyama plant generates one-third of its annual electricity, 12,000kW, using LNG, and it utilizes generated waste heat for its air-conditioning system, hot-water supply or steam. Emissions of CO2 will be decreased by about 40% from the current level. LNG amounting to 12 tanker trucks in volume is supplied through 17 km of pipelines from Suzuka City to Kameyama City, which eliminates auto exhaust caused by tanker truck transportation.
600 see-through PV modules designed to look like "AQUOS"screens are installed on the wall of the administrative building which is located between the factory for panels and the factory for TV sets. Together with 200 modules on the wall of the cogeneration building, they generate about 48,000 kWh a year.
The Kameyama plant collects all the wastewater from the LCD production process (max. 9000 tons a day) and recycles it 100% with water purification techniques using microorganism treatment. Offensive gases from discharged water containing chemicals are deodorized by processing with peat moss from the Ishikari River in Hokkaido.
*Decomposing peat bog moss accumulated over thousands of years.
The Kameyama Plant in Japan was recognized for its outstanding environmental sustainability management by being chosen from among 125 applicants for the highest honor, the Sustainable Management Pearl Award, at the 2004 Japan Sustainable Management Awards* (sponsored by the Japan Sustainable Management Awards Committee and Mie Prefecture).
This award reflects society's high esteem for the environmental measures
particularly the 100% recycling of manufacturing process wastewater, the introduction of an LNG cogeneration system and the installation of a photovoltaic power systemtaken by the Kameyama Plant, Sharp's first Super Green Factory.
The Kameyama Plant was also the proud recipient of the first Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Prize in the 8th annual (2006) Japan Water Prize competition sponsored by the Japan River Association. Our plant also won the Energy Conservation Encouragement Award in the 4th annual (2005) Cogeneration System Award of Excellence sponsored by the Japan Cogeneration Center.
* The Japan Sustainable Management Awards honor all organizations across the nation, no matter what their size or type of business-including private companies, NPOs and schools-that demonstrate outstanding results in their management of environmental sustainability.
The above results are for Kameyama Plant No. 1. Kameyama Plant No. 2, now under construction, will feature still better environmental performance with the installation of the world's largest photovoltaic power generating facility as building system equipment (5,150 kW) as well as with Japan's largest fuel cell (1,000 kW). It will be a state-of-the-art environmentally conscious production facility.