Activities of the Total Energy and Materials Control System Investigation Committee in the Japan Research and Development Center for Metals

Suppression of the explosion of the world population and the surprising increase of waste and emissions are major targets confronting mankind in the next century. Metal industries have consumed a tremendous amount of energy and discharged a large quantity of CO2 and solid waste, although the metals they have produced have supported a high quality of life. Recycling and waste minimization are key words for sustainable development in a highly industrialized society. The Total Energy and Materials Control System (TEMCOS) investigation committee began in 1997 in the Japan Research and Development Center for Metals (JRCM) to address these problems. The goal of TEMCOS is the achievement of zero waste and energy minimization to make a strong inter-process linkage between different industries. Activities of the committee are described here.