Next-Generation Distillation System 'Column-in-Column®' Selected for Reiwa 7 Supplementary Budget Energy-Saving Subsidy Equipment
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Process Equipment's 'Column-in-Column®', a distillation system that integrates multiple columns to achieve up to 40% energy savings, has been selected as eligible equipment for the national energy-saving subsidy for Reiwa 7.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:05
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 10:31
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Sumitomo Heavy Industries Process Equipment Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President: Takushi Murakami; a 100% subsidiary of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.; hereinafter 'Sumitomo Heavy Industries Process Equipment') announces that its next-generation distillation system 'Column-in-Column®', which boasts excellent energy and space savings, has been selected as eligible equipment for the subsidy program 'Reiwa 7 Supplementary Budget: Project to Support Energy Conservation Investment and Demand Structure Transformation' (hereinafter 'the Project') administered by the Sustainable open Innovation Initiative (SII).
The Project is a subsidy program for advanced equipment with high technological capabilities and energy-saving performance, selected according to evaluation criteria determined by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
As a result, it is now possible to be eligible for subsidies under the following project category:
- (I) Factory/Workplace Type: Advanced Framework
Furthermore, this fiscal year, it has also been certified as 'Other high-performance equipment recognized by SII' as a designated equipment, making it eligible for subsidies in the following categories as well:
- (I) Factory/Workplace Type: General Framework / SME Investment Promotion Framework / Supply Chain Collaboration Framework
- (III) Equipment Unit Type: Conventional Framework *Separate project: 'Energy Conservation Investment Promotion Support Subsidy'
■ Features of Column-in-Column®
Column-in-Column® excels in energy and space savings. In distillation processes, which are known to emit high levels of CO2 in the chemical industry, this next-generation distillation column operates with greater energy efficiency compared to conventional multi-column systems, and also reduces CO2 emissions during the production process.
In a typical multi-component distillation system, separation is performed by connecting multiple distillation columns. However, because heating and cooling are repeated in each column, the usage of utilities such as steam, heating media, and cooling water increases, leading to higher running costs. In contrast, Column-in-Column® adopts a structure where a partition plate that vertically divides the column is installed inside, integrating the functions of multiple distillation columns into a single column, contributing to a reduction in utility usage.
[Column-in-Column® Concept Image]
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Process Equipment has a track record of delivering approximately 50 systems domestically and internationally, achieving up to about 40% energy savings and CO2 reduction. We will continue to actively engage in the development and popularization of energy-saving technologies toward reducing environmental impact and realizing a sustainable society.
- For details on Column-in-Column®, please refer here (Sumitomo Heavy Industries Process Equipment website).
https://www.shi-pe.shi.co.jp/products/jyouryu/cic/
- For questions or consultations regarding this matter, please contact us here.
https://page.shi-pe.shi.co.jp/distillation_contact.html
(Reference) Please refer here for various information related to the Project.
- Sustainable open Innovation Initiative (SII)
https://sii.or.jp/
- Energy Conservation Investment Promotion and Demand Structure Transformation Support Project Subsidy
https://syouenehojyokin.sii.or.jp/
- Overview document for 'Advanced Equipment/Systems' in the 'Factory/Workplace Type' for public release
https://sii.or.jp/file/koujou_system_search_07r/R7Hsen-153.pdf
- Reiwa 7 Supplementary Budget Energy Conservation/Non-Fossil Transition Subsidy 'List of other high-performance equipment recognized by SII'
https://sii.or.jp/setsubi07r/uploads/kouseinou_setsubi.pdf
End
The Project is a subsidy program for advanced equipment with high technological capabilities and energy-saving performance, selected according to evaluation criteria determined by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
As a result, it is now possible to be eligible for subsidies under the following project category:
- (I) Factory/Workplace Type: Advanced Framework
Furthermore, this fiscal year, it has also been certified as 'Other high-performance equipment recognized by SII' as a designated equipment, making it eligible for subsidies in the following categories as well:
- (I) Factory/Workplace Type: General Framework / SME Investment Promotion Framework / Supply Chain Collaboration Framework
- (III) Equipment Unit Type: Conventional Framework *Separate project: 'Energy Conservation Investment Promotion Support Subsidy'
■ Features of Column-in-Column®
Column-in-Column® excels in energy and space savings. In distillation processes, which are known to emit high levels of CO2 in the chemical industry, this next-generation distillation column operates with greater energy efficiency compared to conventional multi-column systems, and also reduces CO2 emissions during the production process.
In a typical multi-component distillation system, separation is performed by connecting multiple distillation columns. However, because heating and cooling are repeated in each column, the usage of utilities such as steam, heating media, and cooling water increases, leading to higher running costs. In contrast, Column-in-Column® adopts a structure where a partition plate that vertically divides the column is installed inside, integrating the functions of multiple distillation columns into a single column, contributing to a reduction in utility usage.
[Column-in-Column® Concept Image]
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Process Equipment has a track record of delivering approximately 50 systems domestically and internationally, achieving up to about 40% energy savings and CO2 reduction. We will continue to actively engage in the development and popularization of energy-saving technologies toward reducing environmental impact and realizing a sustainable society.
- For details on Column-in-Column®, please refer here (Sumitomo Heavy Industries Process Equipment website).
https://www.shi-pe.shi.co.jp/products/jyouryu/cic/
- For questions or consultations regarding this matter, please contact us here.
https://page.shi-pe.shi.co.jp/distillation_contact.html
(Reference) Please refer here for various information related to the Project.
- Sustainable open Innovation Initiative (SII)
https://sii.or.jp/
- Energy Conservation Investment Promotion and Demand Structure Transformation Support Project Subsidy
https://syouenehojyokin.sii.or.jp/
- Overview document for 'Advanced Equipment/Systems' in the 'Factory/Workplace Type' for public release
https://sii.or.jp/file/koujou_system_search_07r/R7Hsen-153.pdf
- Reiwa 7 Supplementary Budget Energy Conservation/Non-Fossil Transition Subsidy 'List of other high-performance equipment recognized by SII'
https://sii.or.jp/setsubi07r/uploads/kouseinou_setsubi.pdf
End