New MOL Technology Research Center Starts Operation

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President: Akimitsu Ashida) today announced the completion of its new technology research center in the Kurigi District(*1) of Kawasaki Micom City.

The center has a range of environment-friendly, energy-saving features and technologies. It uses solar power energy, and adopts a natural lighting system, ice storage variant refrigerant volume (VRV) system(*2), and high-speed Variable Air Volume (VAV) system.

It also has a laboratory that can accommodate two 40-foot reefer containers and a test engine room with sound insulation and vibration-proof devices.

The new MOL Technology Research Center will serve as a hub of research and development on ways to improve safety, reduce costs, and adopt environment-friendly technologies.

Outline of new Technology Research Center

Address: 2-2-9 Kurigi, Asao-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Total site area: 1,825.24m2

Total floor area: 1,057.33m2

Buildings: Office, research building/2 stories, Laboratory/1 story

Completed: February 26, 2010

*1. The district is being developed by Kawasaki City as cluster of creativity and innovation targeting industrial R&D institutes. The goal is to foster new growth industries, nurture a new industrial infrastructure, and create employment.

*2. A technology that uses ice made during the night to cool the air in the building during the day, reducing peak-time use of electricity.