In 2005, Sharp developed the world's first non-dilution technology to remove at least 90% of the nitrogen contained in wastewater discharged from its semiconductor facilities by combining Sharp's own spent developer microorganism treatment system^*1 with micro-nano bubble technology^*2. This new method combines Sharp's microorganism treatment technique with micro-nano bubble technology and a new microorganism culture that can double the concentration of microorganisms. The method activates the microorganisms that treat nitrogen contained in wastewater without the need for diluting. And because this system generates no sludge, it contributes to reducing the amount of waste.

*1 Spent developer microorganism treatment system: Proprietary methods, including the use of microorganisms, to purify spent developer. In 1999, received the Minister of International Trade and Industry Prize, Recycling Promotion Achievement Award.

*2 Micro-nano bubble technology: Developed in the early 1980s by Professor Hirofumi Ohnari and others at the Tokuyama College of Technology, the technology enables bubbles that are normally several millimeters in diameter to be shrunk to diameters of just a few micrometers or nanometers. The technology is mainly used for purifying water in dam reservoirs, and in aquaculture.