TANAKA Holdings Co., Ltd. announces that TANAKA Precious Metals will install a stationary pure H₂ fuel cell system with a maximum generating capacity of 500 kilowatts (kW), one of the largest in private-sector use in Japan, at the Shonan Plant in Kanagawa Prefecture, a key recycling business site for TANAKA. It has decided to install an H2Rex pure H₂ fuel cell system manufactured by Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation to optimally control generating efficiency. Operation is scheduled to commence in 2026.

TANAKA is carrying out Operation Polaris with the objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To achieve at least a 50% reduction of CO₂ emissions by 2030 (compared to 2013 levels), proactive steps are being taken, including enhancing energy efficiency, optimizing manufacturing processes, implementing green energy solutions, and pursuing additional measures aimed at emission reduction. The recent decision to use H₂ energy is a part of these efforts.

The pure H₂ fuel cell system to be introduced generates electricity by making use of a chemical reaction that combines H₂ and oxygen, the reverse of the electrolysis of water. Since the system directly uses H₂ to generate electricity, unlike household fuel cell systems that extract H₂ from city gas and other sources, it is able to generate electricity with high efficiency and zero CO₂ emissions. Additionally, in the event of a disaster, the system can be used to supply backup electric power without interruption. Such systems also give consideration to the local environment, due to their low noise and vibration.

With the introduction of this system, 25% of the electricity used at the Shonan Plant will be switched to power generated by the fuel cell system, with an expected reduction in CO₂ emissions of 1,979 tpy (this and subsequent figures are estimates by TANAKA). This is equivalent to 32% of the plant’s CO₂ emissions reduction target for 2030.

TANAKA will continue to expand its use of H₂ energy even after the introduction of the system. In conjunction with this, H₂ demand will increase, and TANAKA has high hopes for Kawasaki City, an advanced H₂ city in Kanagawa Prefecture, and seeks to build a H₂ supply base in the waterfront area. TANAKA joined the Kawasaki Carbon Neutral Industrial Complex Formation Promotion Council and the Kawasaki Carbon Neutral Port Formation Promotion Council, two public-private collaborative bodies made up of companies and other organizations in agreement with the city’s vision and strategies that were established to investigate and promote measures for achieving carbon neutrality. By joining the councils, TANAKA hopes to deepen collaboration with the city and other member companies.