“The business for cryogenic pulverizing using liquid nitrogen operated by Iwatani Industrial Gases has been moving along well.

As a member of Iwatani Group, Iwatani Industrial Gases is involved in the development of the Group’s unique hydrogen-based mixed fusing gas product called “Hydrocut.” On the other hand, the company has been operating commissioned cryogenic pulverizing business as its own business through its subsidiary in Kyoto since 1992.

Cryogenic pulverizing is a technology for grinding and pulverize material by cooling them with cryogenic temperature of minus 196℃ of liquid nitrogen. It is suitable for pulverizing materials such as food and resin which may metamorphose itself because of frictional heat when they are pulverized under ambient temperature.

Iwatani Industrial Gases contracted with customers in variety of industry such as resin producers and resin process companies.

Regarding the future, Atsushi Maeda of Gas division of the company stated, ”we have been expanding this business.” They are trying to diversify the method of pulverize. Currently, only one kind of cryogenic pulverizer is in operation at their plant. Maeda thinks it is important to extend range of the machines. The company has focusing on “small amount, but high-value added,” but it now consider introducing “mass products.”

As a next phase, Iwatani Industrial Gases plans to install “helium circulation type Jet Mill,” a pulverizer which jointly developed in 2005 with Nippon Pneumatic MFG, a gloal pulverizer producer, for its own use.

It is the machine to pulverize material by bombarding them each other in the flow current created by helium blasted into the machine. The used helium in this process will be recovered in the circulation process and used again 99%. While cryogenic pulverization excels for pulverizing organic materials, the Jet Mill rather suitable for pulverization of inorganic materials such as magnet and rare earth. The machine was developed as a merchant product, however Iwatani Industrial Gases looks at using it at its own plant.

Maeda stated, “Installation of helium pulverizer is still under consideration. However, we have accepted some inquiry for pulverizing inorganic materials.” Showing his view to expand the pulverizing business.”