As the end of the year approaches in late December 2023, with the children's winter vacation having started, I found an event that seemed enjoyable for parents and children, so I participated.
I visited the massive steelworks "JFE Steel Corporation West Japan Works (Kurashiki Area)" located in Mizushima, Kurashiki City.
Since it is a staple for social studies field trips in Kurashiki, some of you may have been there before, but this time I will report focusing on the "present and future" of the steelworks.
Photography is prohibited inside the steelworks, so the main images will be from provided materials. Thank you for your understanding.
Overview of the "JFE Steel Winter Factory Tour"
The "JFE Steel Winter Factory Tour" was held from December 26 (Tuesday) to 27 (Wednesday), 2023, at JFE Steel Corporation West Japan Works.
The schedule for each day was from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Registration is required.
The target audience is elementary school students and above, with a capacity of "70 people" for each session.
It was introduced as an opportunity to experience the impressive steelworks that are usually not visible, through sight, sound, and touch.
Participated in the tour
After arriving at the visitor center, I visited the "Iron Learning Center" that is attached until the start time of the factory tour.
It is a science museum specialized in iron, showcasing the introduction of the massive steelworks that is equivalent to 240 Tokyo Domes, and displaying how iron is made using photos and models in an easy-to-understand manner.
At 9:30 AM, the start time of the tour, we first listened to an explanation about the factory in the hall.
The official name of this steelworks is "JFE Steel Corporation West Japan Works (Kurashiki Area)".
This steelworks has its roots in "Kawasaki Steel Corporation Mizushima Works," which began operations here in 1961, and merged with "Nippon Steel Corporation Fukuyama Works" in 2003, operating as a single steelworks in Mizushima and Fukuyama.
The reason for establishing the steelworks in Mizushima was due to the abundant water from the Takahashi River, a port that can accommodate large ships, vast reclaimed land, and favorable climate.
Regarding the layout of the factory, it is said that the flow from raw materials to products goes from south to north.
During this tour, we mainly visited the area where iron is produced and the area where iron is rolled out, being guided around the vast factory by bus.
Plate Mill
The highlight of the factory tour.
After getting off the bus, we walked along the observation path inside the factory and observed the process of heated iron blocks being rolled out into plates right in front of us.
Although it is a massive factory, all operations can be controlled from the control room, so there are no people on the production line at all.
The children were very interested in how the iron blocks quickly transformed into plate form.
By the way, the thick plates produced in this factory are mainly used as materials for large structures such as ships and bridges.
Blast Furnace
The blast furnace is the equipment used to melt iron ore and extract iron, and its towering shape is said to be the symbol of the steelworks.
During the tour, we observed from the bus the actual process of iron being produced.
The pig iron extracted here contains a lot of carbon, making it very brittle and unsuitable for use as a product in its raw form.
It is loaded in a molten state into a torpedo car, shaped like a rugby ball, and transported to the next process, where it is transformed into the hard and strong iron that we commonly use.
By the way, steel manufacturers that have a blast furnace in their facilities are called "blast furnace manufacturers," but due to mergers and consolidations, there are now only three companies in Japan, including JFE Steel.
Mizushima Eco Works
"Mizushima Eco Works" is a waste treatment facility located within the steelworks, which we observed from the bus.
They strive for resource recycling, including exhaust, and the biggest feature is that there are no smokestacks, which would typically be found at incineration plants.
In addition to handling business waste from the Mizushima Industrial Complex, they also accept general waste from Kurashiki City, so I think it is a facility that we are unknowingly benefiting from.
By the way, during the heavy rain disaster in July 2018, this facility also played a role in processing disaster waste.
Conclusion
Since I visited the steelworks as an elementary school student, it has been quite a while since I last toured a steel plant, but as I was touring, old memories came flooding back.
As someone currently involved in the manufacturing industry, I believe there were many insights gained from this experience.
Moreover, with the recent trend towards decarbonization, I got the impression that the steelworks is entering a transformative era.
For example, a material called electrical steel sheet, which is also used in EV (electric vehicle) motors, is expected to see increased demand, and a new factory was being constructed for this purpose.
On the other hand, from the perspective of decarbonization, there is a policy to suspend one of the three blast furnaces currently in operation and convert it to an electric furnace.
I thought it was unique for a steelworks, which emits a large amount of carbon dioxide, to have its initiatives regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) directly reflected in the company's policies.
Additionally, JFE Steel holds tours in conjunction with long school holidays, so if you are interested in participating, please check it out. It’s also perfect for diary topics.
Data for JFE Steel Winter Break Factory Tour
| Name | JFE Steel Winter Break Factory Tour |
|---|---|
| Date | December 26 (Tuesday), 27 (Wednesday), 2023 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
| Location | West Japan Steelworks (Kurashiki Area) Visitor Center |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free admission |
| Website | JFE Steel Corporation West Japan Steelworks |
