Innovation

Zhengzhou Pearl Holdings Ltd. is a company which produces and sells chemical materials, especially focusing on the α-aluminum oxide.

The first step of the old technology is to put the original powder of aluminum oxide in kiln furniture. Then, place all kiln furniture in the kiln cars and fire them in the tunnel kiln at 1300 degrees. After the aluminum oxide cools to normal temperature, it becomes a new product called α-aluminum oxide.

The company innovated a new technique in 2016. They decided to mix the original powder with water at the beginning and press the mixture into bricks. Then, workers can put these bricks in the kiln cars without using kiln furniture. After the calcination, they grind the bricks into powder again. Finally, they can get the α-aluminum oxide powder.

The main innovator is Mr. Zhu who is the general manager of Zhengzhou Pearl Holdings Ltd. The staff of the research and development department also participated the innovation.

Inspiration

The original idea came about:

“In order to increase efficiency, we must find a way to reduce the volume of kiln furniture. We associate the traditional brick process”, the innovator said.

The motivation for doing the innovation:

Low output due to the existence of kiln furniture. The weight of kiln furniture is around 450 kilograms and the weight of original material is 440 kilograms in each kiln car. In other words, it wastes half the space during the calcination. What is more, the kiln furniture absorbs heat and consumes the energy leading to extra carbon emission.

Overall impact

“The total output increase more than 40% by using the new technology. It significantly reduces our energy consumption at the same time”, the manager said.

These are the concrete evidences. Firstly, the output raises from 430 kilograms to 800 kilograms per kiln car while the additional usage of gas only is 10%. Besides, the wastage of pressing the powder into bricks is approximately equal to 10%.

The short-term effects are reducing the cost of production and increasing the gross output. The long-term effects are related to sustainable development.

Business benefit

Obviously, the innovation makes the production process became more efficient. In other words, the working time is shorter to produce the same quantity of α-aluminum oxide. It means a lesser cost of wages and utilities expense. The company also saves a lot of money due to the reduction of kiln furniture. They can use the money for other investments when needed. Otherwise, they can use it to improve the welfare for employees.

Social and environmental benefit

Zhengzhou Pearl Holdings Ltd. not only focuses on UN goal number 13: Climate Action, but also takes care of the goal number 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. For the environmental, the reduced energy consumption implies decreased carbon emissions. For society, the innovation provides a new technology to produce the α-aluminum oxide powder for the the whole industry.

Interview

Guanshen Zhu, Manager