In the second installment of our report series, Roni Minarwi, a second year student from Indonesia, detailed the visit to Sumitomo Osaka Cement, Tochigi Plant.
Visit to Sumitomo Osaka Cement, Tochigi Plant
Our visit to the Sumitomo Osaka Cement, Tochigi Plant was a fascinating experience that gave us a closer look at how cement is made and the efforts being taken to make the process more sustainable. From the moment we arrived, safety was a priority. We were directed to a room where helmets and gloves were neatly arranged on the tables, ready for us to wear. Before we began, we were informed that filming was not allowed.
The visit started with an introduction by one of the employees, who gave us a brief explanation of Japan’s cement industry, the history of Sumitomo Osaka Cement, and the role of the Tochigi Plant. One of the key topics discussed was the company’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. We learned that they incorporate disaster waste as a raw material for cement production, reducing waste while making use of available resources. Another impressive initiative was their use of a biomass power plant, which runs on wood chips instead of traditional fossil fuels, cutting down on their carbon footprint.
With our safety gear on, we were ready for the guided tour. The first stop was the raw material processing site, where we got to see how the essential components of cement are prepared. From there, we moved on to one of the most striking parts of the facility, the massive rotary kiln. It reaches temperatures of up to 1450°C, and even from several meters away, we could feel the heat radiating from it. Standing near this enormous structure gave us a real sense of the intensity of the cement-making process. Next, we climbed to the top of the new suspension preheater, where we had a breathtaking view of the entire plant. From this vantage point, we could see two large pipes transporting limestone, a crucial raw material in cement production.
We also got a close-up look at the capsule liner system, which transports limestone from the Karasawa Mine. Each capsule liner carries around 1.6t of limestone, and in a single day, the plant moves an astonishing 2,000–3,000 tons. Seeing these massive transportation systems in action gave us a real appreciation for the scale of operations required to keep cement production running smoothly. The final part of our tour took us to the storage and distribution area, where the finished cement is stored before being shipped out. It was fascinating to see how the final product is handled after going through such an extensive process. After taking in all the different steps of cement production, we returned to the initial room for a final discussion.
This visit was an eye-opening experience, giving us a deeper appreciation for the complexity of cement production and the innovative steps being taken to make it more
sustainable. The restriction on filming allowed us to be fully present, taking in all the details without distractions. From raw materials to final distribution, every step of the process was impressive, and we walked away with a newfound respect for the work that goes into something as essential as cement. It was truly a memorable visit!
