Compact, Low Maintenance, High Treatment Capacity New Microbe Treatment Technology Release of the Yamaha "PVA Gel Fluidized Bed Wastewater Treatment System"

On June 1, 1999, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. begins sale of the PVA Gel Fluidized Bed Wastewater Treatment System, a new type of microbe-activated wastewatertreatment system.
In conjunction with the release, this new system is being put on display at the "FOODS HYGIENE OF THE WORLD 21 -- FOOD-RELATED EXHIBITION OF WASTE DISPOSAL & RECYCLE TECHNOLOGY" exhibition (May 27 ~ 29, Intex Osaka) and the "ZERO EMISSION FAIR '99" exhibition (June 9 ~ 12, Port Messe Nagoya).

As part of its Pool Operations, Yamaha Motor has been involved in the manufacture and sales of water treatment systems like pool filtration systems and our emergency-use water supply system. And now, with this new treatment technology, Yamaha ventures into the environmentally important filed of wastewater treatment as a new area of business.

The new PVA Gel Fluidized Bed Wastewater Treatment System is the result of a development and sales tie-up between YMC and Kyoei Techno (Head offices in Osaka), a venture company in the field of water treatment. The system uses PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) to achieve major improvements in the shortcomings of conventional water treatment systems that utilize microbe activity.

The main method for treating the water of urban sewage systems and various types of organic industrial wastes is the "activated sludge process" which makes use of the action of microbes.
However, in this activated sludge method there is a limit to the level to which bacteria concentration can be raised, and excessive pollutant load produces a state known as "bulking"* in which sufficiently treated water can no longer be withdrawn. Furthermore, there has also been the problem that when this happens it takes both time and a high level of operational skills to restore the microbe action. This problem of bulking is especially acute in treating the wastes such as that of the food industry where BOD* counts are high.
As a result, solving this problem has been an important goal in the field of waste treatment.
At the same time, there has been a great need among factories located close to urban areas where land is at a premium for high-performance wastewater treatment facilities that are both compact and easy to manage and maintain.
The new Yamaha PVA Gel Fluidized Bed Wastewater Treatment System is high-performance system that makes use of PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) to heighten microbe activity while also being not only much more compact in terms of area than conventional wastewater treatment facilities but also easier to maintain.

* Bulking : Increase in sludge volume through unbalance in
biological purification function. This bulking corresponds to an
increase in the SVI (sludge volume index).
* BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) is an index for measuring
water pollution by measuring the amount of oxygen used by
microbes in the process of breaking down organic substances
present. The more polluted the water the higher the BOD count.

The Company forecast its consolidated business results for fiscal year 2004 ending March 31, 2004 as follows: net sales of 1,020 billion yen, operating income of 71 billion yen, recurring profit of 71 billion yen, and net income of 40 billion yen. All these forecasts are record highs. If the forecasts are met, performance will almost reach the final targets spelled out in the Company's medium-term management plan, NEXT 50 - one year ahead of schedule. Although the Company's net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2003 were slightly below the planned target, profits exceeded the targets. By continuously implementing NEXT 50, the Company aims to achieve the forecast consolidated business result targets for fiscal year 2004 ending March 31, 2004.
The forecast business results in this summary are based on the assumption that the yen will appreciate by 7 yen against the U.S. dollar, to 116 yen, while depreciating 10 yen against the euro, to 127 yen, during the full-year period.

PVA gel is made up of white spherical bodies 5 mm in diameter. The surface is porous which makes for excellent initial attachment of bacteria. The structure consists of a system of pores that continue into the center of the sphere, making it ideal for permeation and attachment by bacteria. This makes it possible for bacterial concentration to be raised to an extremely high level.

- High biological affinity and non toxic
- Excellent fluidity in water (specific gravity 1.03)
- High strength and resistance to abrasion
- Very little biodegradation by microbes and enzymes

- High treatment capacity .... The use of PVA results in 2 ~ 3 times greater than conventional BOD treatment capacity
- Possible to treat high-concentration, high-pollutant load wastewater ... This system is characterized by high tolerance of fluctuations in pollutant load and high resistance to bulking. This makes system operation and maintenance easier.
- Reduction of sludge ... There is a large reduction in the amount of excess sludge produced compared to conventional activated sludge type treatment systems. No sludge circulation is necessary, which reduces operation effort and running cost.
- More compact treatment facility possible ... The surface area of treatment pool needed is reduced 2 to 3 times compared to conventional type treatment facilities. Better use can be made of limited space.
- Existing facilities can be used... The system can be easily installed by modifying of existing facilities. Existing nitrification and denitrogen facilities can also be used with some modification.
- Low odor production ... Due to the high aeration level in the treatment process, it is possible to inhibit the production of offensive odor.

The above-mentioned qualities make the Yamaha "PVA Gel Fluidized Bed Wastewater Treatment System" ideal for the treatment of wastewater by manufacturers in industries such as the food industry. It is also well suited for treating wastewater from dyeing industry factories and other general factories.

Sales goal: 100 million yen in the first year