On December 6, Air Water completed its open innovation hub named “Forest of Air Water” which had been under construction in Chuo-ku, Sapporo City, Hokkaido. An opening ceremony was held there on the same day. 

　The facilities of the hub were intended for contribution to solve social issues in all areas of Hokkaido based on new concepts and in collaborations with universities, research institutes, local authorities, enterprises and start-ups. The total cost will be about ¥5 billion. 

  Chairman Toyoda said in his opening speech, “Hokkaido is an area having a great potential to realize decarbonization and a stable procurement of foodstuff for us. We regard Hokkaido as the most prospective area for growth. Furthermore, there now exists the most advanced semiconductor production base, which has brought a great expectation to our business activities. This year falls on the 95-year anniversary of Hoxan one of our founding routes. To create our future, we have decided to build up the hub in Hokkaido to which we have been indebted since long ago.From the beginning, there were lots of ideas as to the type of facility, but we sticked to our wish to contribute to Hokkaido in solving the regional issues, and it has led us to this opening.” It was followed by the description of the facilities by president Tatsuya Kuramoto of Air Water Hokkaido, who said, ”Combining our idea with those of stakeholders and resources, we wish to sow seeds of business and return fruit to Hokkaido.”  

　In the facilities there are also attached offices of the Hokkaido University, Hokkaido National Higher Education and Research System and the Muroran Institute of Technology being in the premises together. Concretely research themes will be tackled in collaboration with partners like Panasonic, NTT Docomo and Sekisui Kasei in written agreement.

  As shown in the name of facilities, the building has a unique structure using wooden architecture of Hokkaido-born timbers designed in the shape of diagonal column. When you step in the entrance, you will see a pure-H₂ FC in the right center of the Hokkaido made vegetations, which symbolizes co-existence of new energy into the nature of Hokkaido.  

In addition, there are other facilities like a multi-purpose hall (accommodating 150 persons) on the first floor which is usable for seminar or events, and also a cafe restaurant. Original menu using own-cultivated vegetables, ham and sausage are served in the eat-in and take-out style. The restaurant is opened to also general visitors.

  For information the wine served in the restaurant is preserved using food-additive argon. Speaking of other contribution by the industrial gas technology, the window glass of the building adopts a 3-layer structure of double glazing into which highly insulative argon is sealed, contributing to energy saving.