We entered the strategic partnership for solar panel recycling with Marubeni Group
2019.10.25
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Tottori Resource Recycling, Inc. (hereinafter, “Tottori Resource Recycling”) and Marubeni Corporation, Marubeni Tetsugen Co., Ltd, Marubeni Metals Corporation (hereinafter, “Marubeni Group”), have entered into a Strategic Partnership Agreement to jointly undertake a solar panel recycling business by utilizing the patented glass foaming technology of Tottori Resource Recycling.
Aiming for the maximum 1.5 ° C temperature increase target set by the Paris Agreement, governments have announced a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero (net zero) by 2050. The shift to renewable energy will continue to progress and solar power generation is also expected to increase significantly.
On the other hand, solar panel waste is estimated to grow 10 times in 10 years and 200 times in 20 years.
Solar panels are dismantled and recycled for each part. However, tempered glass, which accounts for more than 70% of the panel weight, is difficult to recycle, and is currently disposed of in landfills. It has been pointed out that disposal of tempered glass will become a major social problem in terms of the environment. (*1)
Tottori Resource Recycling and Marubeni Group and will collect solar panel and use tempered glass as raw materials, and manufacture foamed porous glass material utilizing the patented technology of Tottori Resource Recycling. This glass foaming technology makes it possible to detoxify and immobilize harmful substances such as heavy metals contained in glass. The manufactured foamed porous glass material enhances the soil by increasing the water retention capacity in the soil, and in the water, it improves the water quality by becoming a habitation for microbes that purify water.
Tottori Resource Recycling and Marubeni Group will transform the tempered glass, which is said to be difficult to recycle, into a valuable product that is friendly to the global environment. By reducing waste and improving the environment, we aim to provide diversified solutions to environmental issues in order to realize a sustainable society.
(*1) Related press release from Ministry of Environment (Japanese)
https://www.env.go.jp/press/files/jp/110514.pdf
