The NLM Group takes full advantage of aluminum's inherent eco-friendly characteristics and our advanced technology development capabilities to contribute to safety and environmental protection in a variety of industrial and consumer settings.
Aluminum contributes to energy and resource conservation thanks to properties including lightness, recyclability, and high electrical conductivity. NLM takes full advantage of the aluminum's inherent eco-friendly characteristics and the expertise and technologies we have amassed as a fully integrated aluminum manufacturer to supply high performance, high value added products to meet increasing demand from the environmental, safety, and energy market sectors.
In light of the importance of chemical substance control, NLM develops and supplies eco-friendly products such as aluminum sheet processed using chrome-free paints made with pigments that contain no hexavalent chromium and lead-free, free-cutting aluminum alloy with machinabillities equivalent to those of the previously used lead-containing alloy. We also contribute to environmental protection and the maintenance of clean water resources through the provision of flocculants and other products used in water purification and wastewater treatment at water and sewerage facilities.
Nikkei Ecolas (chrome-free colored aluminum sheets for precoating)
Lead-free, free-cutting aluminum alloy
Chemicals for water treatment (flocculants)
NLM develops numerous products that support emergency preparedness and protection of the surrounding environment at commercial facilities and contribute to safe, healthy living. For instance, we supply finely particulate aluminum hydroxide used as fire-resistant filler in electrical wire and cable coating material, emergency supply warehouses, and movable covers installed to prevent foreign substances from entering water tanks at water purification facilities.
Finely particulate aluminum hydroxide (electric wire and cable coating material)
Emergency supply warehouses
Movable covers for water and wastewater facilities
Aluminum brace for seismic retrofittings
Demand for energy-related products is increasing attendant on the impact of sharp increases in the prices of oil and other fuels and the advancement of efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. In response to this trend, the NLM Group supplies products that contribute to energy conservation and the effective utilization of clean energy, including plant packages (storage battery and control unit housings) that promote efficient energy use, solar cell ink that increases the power generation efficiency of solar cells.
Large storage battery housings
ALSOLAR solar cell ink
In Japan, where securing a stable supply of energy is a critical issue, one measure under consideration is the reuse of spent nuclear fuel. In this market sector, where rigorous safety management is required, we developed MAXUS™ (aluminum sheet for spent nuclear fuel storage containers), a high performance material designed to ensure greater safety. In this way, we contribute to the stockpiling and management of safe energy resources at temporary storage facilities.
Aluminum does not degrade when recycled, retaining nearly the same quality as primary metal. Moreover, the manufacture of secondary aluminum metal uses only about 3% of the energy required for the manufacture primary metal from bauxite raw material. For these reasons, the recycling of aluminum is effective for promoting the efficient use of resources and energy conservation.
Nippon Fruehauf is working to curtail or completely abolish the use of environmentally hazardous substances as a voluntary undertaking in cooperation with an industry initiative to recycle commercial vehicle bodywork. The company has adopted for use in new temperature control truck models non-chrome aluminum panels, a non-fluorocarbon insulating material for use in body construction, and lead-free electrodeposition paint for use on principal structural components.
