Sharp launches 2nd ‘super green’ factory

Factories are usually thought of as places the contribute a lot to pollution. Sharp’s Kameyama Plant no. 2 however, is an altogether different place. Opened in Mie Prefecture, Japan late last year, the $1.4-billion Kameyama plant is not only technologically-advanced, it is eco-friendly as well as it is designed to be suitable for the 21st century environment.

Following in the footsteps of its sister facility Kameyama Plant no. 1, Kameyama Plant no. 2 is a "super green factory" designed to reduce the overall burden on the environment. The cutting-edge environmental preservation technologies include a large-scale 5-MW photovoltaic power generating system installed on all roof surfaces, fuel cells, cogeneration systems and 100 percent water recycling in the manufacturing process.

With production capacity that is double that of Kameyama Plant no. 1, Kameyama Plant no. 2 boasts of a production system designed to minimize the effects of natural disasters and ensure uninterrupted, round-the-clock operations. A "seismic damper" function absorbs the shaking and vibration from major earthquakes, while a system to prevent damage to production equipment from momentary voltage sags caused by lightning strikes is featured throughout the facility.

Kameyama Plant no. 2 is dedicated to manufacture glass substrates to meet growing global demand for premium large-screen LCDTVs. With a building area of 885,870 square feet and a total floor area of approximately 3,004,207 square feet, Kameyama Plant no. 2 is renowned for being the world’s largest facility that manufactures eighth-generation (8G) glass substrates (approximately 85"x97"), which can be used to efficiently produce up to eight 40-inch class or six 50-inch class LCD TVs.

In the 2006 Environmental and Social Report, Sharp Corp. president Katsuhiko Machida says, "today’s product development and manufacture must be carried out with a commitment to the environment. No matter how convenient the products, they are of no use if they harm the environment and human health."

He adds: "Sharp is working to minimize the environmental impact of its worldwide production facilities. Of special note are the facilities in Kameyama and Mie, whose thorough environmental measures have made them super green factories."