Background and Aims: In contemporary society, skincare and haircare have gained more attention, accelerated by the widespread adoption of online interactions and social media. Meanwhile, concerns such as skin dryness, wrinkle formation, and hair loss remain common issues, so more effective solutions are needed. We developed functional materials based on our proprietary poly (lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA NP) technology to address these issues.

Methods and Results: Functional ingredients for improving skin barrier function, reducing wrinkles, and promoting hair growth were respectively encapsulated within PLGA NP. In vitro assays and monitor trials were conducted to verify their efficacy.

a) To enhance skin hydration, it is essential to improve the skin barrier function, which protects against external stimuli and retains moisture. We evaluated PLGA capsulex^® BasicCare, which encapsulates ingredients that support this function. Cellular assays demonstrated that BasicCare enhanced keratinocyte activation by 1.3-fold and upregulated the expression of genes associated with skin barrier function by 2.8-fold compared to the untreated group. Furthermore, skin hydration increased 2.7-fold, as confirmed by a monitor test.

b) For wrinkle reduction, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin—key proteins responsible for skin elasticity—is crucial, as fibroblasts play a role in their synthesis. We examined PLGA capsulex^® AgingCare, which encapsulates ingredients with wrinkle-improving effects. Cellular assays showed that fibroblast proliferation increased 1.4-fold in the AgingCare-treated group, leading to an at least 1.2-fold increase in collagen and elastin production. In addition, a five-week monitor trial demonstrated that the number of wrinkles decreased following continuous use of AgingCare.

c) Hair dermal papilla cells regulate hair follicle regeneration and the normal hair cycle transition, making their activation crucial for hair growth. We evaluated PLGA capsulex^® HairCare, which contains an ingredient with papilla cell-activating effects. Results showed a 1.4-fold increase in papilla cell proliferation in the HairCare-treated group. Gene expression levels involved in promoting hair growth were 2.8-fold higher than those in the untreated group.

Conclusions: The functional materials demonstrated significant effects in addressing specific skin and hair-related concerns. PLGA NP-treated groups exhibited significantly higher gene and protein expression levels compared to the untreated group and the functional component alone. These findings suggest that PLGA NP technology enhances cosmetic efficacy through its superior permeability and sustained release properties. Future challenges include more detailed efficacy verification and expanding applications to address additional beauty concerns. Overall, this research highlights the potential of nanotechnology in cosmetic science.

Background and Aims: Powder materials are extensively utilized not only as final products in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals but also as raw materials and intermediates in the manufacturing processes of various industrial products including battery materials and magnetic materials. Powder consists of an aggregate of solid particles, and controlling the structure of powder, such as particle dispersion state and granulation structure, is essential for material development and manufacturing. While wet grinding can achieve sub-micron particle sizes, it requires additional drying processes and wastewater treatment, making dry processing more economical for industrial-scale production. Recent advances in high-performance classifiers have enabled dry grinding to produce finer particles, and dry composite processing has emerged as an energy-saving and environmentally friendly method. This study aims to introduce examples of particle structure control through dry operations, focusing on particle size reduction and composite processing using our equipment.

Methods and Results: Three main dry processing technologies were investigated: fine grinding, high-speed classification, and dry composite processing. For fine grinding, Pulvis^®, a dry-type agitating media mill with an integrated classifier, successfully produced sub-micron silica particles by combining grinding and classification operations. High-speed classifiers mounted on jet mills achieved average particle sizes of approximately 0.5 μm with maximum particle sizes around 2 μm for silica grinding. Opposed jet mill AFG demonstrated effective disintegration of agglomerated particles while minimizing contamination and controlling fine particle generation through gas pressure adjustment. For composite processing, Nobilta^® dry particle composer was applied to battery materials and pharmaceuticals. In battery applications, silicon particles were surface-modified with solid electrolyte coatings, creating microporous structures that reduced volume changes during charge-discharge cycles. In pharmaceutical applications, mannitol granules were composited with finely ground ibuprofen, and dissolution behavior was controlled through surface coating with hardened castor oil powder.

Conclusions (Outlooks): This study demonstrates that dry processing operations offer significant advantages over wet methods, including elimination of binder requirements, no need for drying processes, and overall energy savings in manufacturing processes. The combination of advanced grinding equipment with high-performance classifiers enables continuous and efficient production of sub-micron particles while preventing reagglomeration. Dry composite processing proves particularly valuable for battery materials requiring high charge-discharge rates and pharmaceutical applications demanding controlled dissolution behavior. The binder-free nature of dry processing makes it especially suitable for battery material development, where contamination control is critical. As global demand for automotive battery materials continues to grow and pharmaceutical industries face increasing numbers of poorly soluble drugs, dry processing technologies are expected to find expanded applications. Future development efforts will focus on further improving the performance of dry processing equipment to meet evolving industrial requirements for advanced functional materials.

Lignin, an abundant aromatic biopolymer, is primarily generated as a by-product from industrial processes such as kraft pulping and lignocellulosic bioethanol production. Traditionally, lignin has been utilized as a combustion fuel for process heat recovery; however, this approach contributes to CO₂ emissions and offers limited value in the context of a carbon-neutral economy. With growing societal and industrial interest in sustainable materials and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, lignin is increasingly recognized as a promising renewable feedstock for a variety of high-value applications, including energy storage, construction materials, cosmetics, and polymer composites.

To effectively utilize lignin in such applications, it is essential to precisely control its physicochemical characteristics, particularly particle size and morphology, which directly influence dispersion, reactivity, and processability. Due to lignin’s complex, variable structure and flammability, advanced powder processing technologies are required to ensure both functional performance and operational safety.

This paper introduces a comprehensive approach to lignin powder processing, focusing on two core technologies: fine grinding and dry granulation. For the fine grinding of lignin to particle sizes suitable for applications such as films or fillers in thermoplastic composites—typically requiring a d₉₇ below 10 μm—jet milling systems are employed to ensure high-precision production of ultrafine particles with a narrow particle size distribution. In particular, the fluidized bed opposed jet mill (AFG) developed by Hosokawa Alpine has been demonstrated as an effective technology for achieving the desired specifications.

For coarser applications (e.g., d₉₇ ≈ 20–30 μm), impact classifier mills such as the ACM Pulverizer^® offer an energy-efficient alternative. Experimental data presented in this study demonstrate how particle size and energy consumption are interrelated and highlight the importance of process selection based on target application.

Additionally, to address challenges related to handling, dusting, and bulk density, dry agglomeration using roll compactors has been implemented. This technique produces dust-free, free-flowing granules or briquettes that facilitate storage, transport, and downstream processing.

The integration of powder technologies enables the functional conversion of lignin into industrially viable forms, thereby supporting its transition from a waste stream to a valuable resource. This work emphasizes the role of particle engineering in realizing lignin’s potential as a key material in a circular, low-carbon economy.

Background and Aims: Powder technology plays a crucial role in modern industrial products across diverse fields including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, ceramics, and electronic materials. In electrophotographic technology particularly, the charging characteristics of toner particles have a decisive impact on print quality, making accurate evaluation of particle charging properties essential. The conventional Faraday cage method, which has been widely used, has significant limitations as it only measures the average charge amount of the entire sample and cannot determine the charge distribution of individual particles or the correlation with particle size. This study aims to introduce the particle size and charge distribution analyzer “E-SPART Analyzer^®” (EST), which enables charge measurement at the individual particle level to address these challenges, and to demonstrate its measurement principles and applications.

Methods and Results: EST simultaneously measures particle size and charge amount of individual particles using acoustic and electric fields formed within a measurement cell. Particle size measurement utilizes phase lag caused by particle inertia in an acoustic vibration field, while charge measurement employs precise laser Doppler measurement of charged particle deflection phenomena in an electric field. In experiments with two-component toner concentration changes, a clear shift of the charge distribution toward zero was observed as toner concentration increased from 2% to 6%. This is attributed to the relative decrease in triboelectric charging opportunities for individual toner particles due to the increased number of toner particles per carrier. Scatter plot visualization enabled intuitive understanding of the correlation between charge amount and particle size, as well as distribution characteristics, demonstrating the acquisition of detailed charging property information that cannot be obtained through conventional bulk measurements.

Conclusions (Outlooks): EST represents the world’s only individual particle charge measurement technology, having been utilized for over 30 years since its commercial launch in 1987 with more than 100 units sold. Development of next-generation EST is currently underway, featuring significant miniaturization for portability, improved mechanical stability through semiconductor laser adoption, and enhanced measurement accuracy and operability through digitalization. As interest in the impact of particle charging characteristics on product quality continues to grow, the value of precise charging property evaluation technology is expected to increase further, and EST is anticipated to continue contributing to the advancement of powder technology.

Background: Drying is a fundamental process in powder technology, involving the removal of moisture from materials through the application of heat. Industrial dryers vary widely in design and operating principles, and no single dryer type is universally applicable to all materials or processes. The selection of an appropriate dryer depends heavily on the physical properties of the raw material and the desired drying performance.

Classification of Dryers: This study categorizes dryers into two main types based on heating method—direct heating and indirect heating—and two types based on operation mode—continuous and batch. Direct heating dryers utilize convective heat transfer by exposing materials to hot air, while indirect heating dryers rely on conductive heat transfer through heated surfaces such as walls or paddles. Each type has distinct advantages and limitations depending on the material’s moisture content, stickiness, and sensitivity to temperature.

Dryer Models Introduced: Four representative dryers manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation are introduced, each designed to address specific material properties and processing requirements through distinct heating mechanisms and operational modes:

• Drymeister^® H-type (DMR-H): A continuous direct heating dryer with strong dispersion capability, suitable for low-moisture powders and sticky materials.

• Nauta Mixer^®: A batch-type indirect heating dryer with vacuum and freeze-drying capabilities, ideal for heat-sensitive and solvent-containing materials.

• TorusDisc (TD): A versatile indirect heating dryer with a large heat transfer area, capable of both continuous and batch operation, suitable for resin drying and thermal treatment.

• Solidaire (SJ): A continuous indirect heating dryer with high thermal efficiency and adjustable paddle configurations, effective for crystallization and drying of chemical and polymer materials.

Conclusion: By analyzing the structural features, drying mechanisms, and material compatibility of each dryer, this report provides practical guidance for selecting suitable drying equipment. The classification framework and case studies presented herein aim to support engineers and researchers in optimizing drying processes for diverse industrial applications. These insights facilitate cost-effective equipment selection and enhanced process efficiency in powder processing operations.

 It has been reported that oral health is closely related to overall health, and dental health management can be considered an integral part of general health management. Oral biofilm is widely recognized as a key factor in the etiology of periodontal disease. The primary goal in preventing periodontal disease is to inhibit the formation and reformation of oral biofilms, which necessitates the development of highly effective biofilm inhibiting materials. Therefore, we developed IPMP (isopropylmethylphenol) loaded PLGA (polylactic acid-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (NP) with high permeability to biofilms, aimed at effectively preventing periodontal disease.

 Active ingredient-loaded PLGA NP are thought to be capable of delivering drugs deeper into biofilms compared to the active ingredient alone. IPMP not only has a strong antibacterial effect but is also less irritating and highly safe and widely used in cosmetics and other products, including toothpaste. We developed three prototypes of toothpaste: one that did not contain either IPMP or PLGA NP, one that contained IPMP, and one that contained the IPMP-loaded PLGA NP, and conducted clinical trials. The increase in oral bacterial counts was suppressed in the IPMP-loaded PLGA NP group compared with the IPMP-only group. The amount of hemoglobin in the saliva tended to be lower in the IPMP-loaded PLGA NP group than in the IPMP-only group. The sulfur compound concentration tended to be lower in the IPMP-loaded PLGA NP group than in the IPMP-only group. When PLGA NP containing the fluorescent component Coumarin were used, the fluorescent component remained on the tongue even after rinsing.

 Clinical trials using IPMP-loaded PLGA NP demonstrated reductions in bacterial counts, subgingival bleeding, and improved halitosis. These results suggest that IPMP-loaded PLGA NP are effective in inhibiting biofilm formation.

Background and Aims: Powder technology plays a significant role in various industrial products, with increasing demands for higher functionality driving the need for more advanced manufacturing processes. As these processes evolve, there is a growing need for enhanced techniques to evaluate powder properties. This report introduces two key devices developed by our company: the Parshe Analyzer^® (PAS) for particle shape and size analysis, and the E-SPART Analyzer^® (EST) for measuring particle charge distribution. These devices offer unique capabilities for precise particle characterization, meeting the sophisticated requirements of modern industrial applications.

Methods and Results: The PAS is a dynamic image analysis system used to measure particle size and shape. While laser diffraction and scattering methods are common for particle size distribution measurement, they lack the capability to evaluate particle shape and detect coarse particles within a sample. The PAS addresses these limitations by utilizing dynamic image analysis, allowing high-throughput measurement of a large number of particles suspended in liquid. With its flat sheath flow system, the PAS maintains precise focus, ensuring accurate measurements for particles ranging from sub-micron to over 100 μm. It also features automated lens switching and an optional auto-sampler for efficient sample dispersion.

A measurement example of silicon carbide (d₅₀=5.6 μm) using the PAS is provided. After ultrasonic dispersion, the particles were analyzed, revealing variations in particle detection depending on the proximity of adjacent particles. This demonstrates the PAS’s capability to deliver both quantitative and qualitative data on particle size and morphology.

The EST is a device that measures particle size and charge using laser Doppler technology. It evaluates phase delay caused by particle inertia in an acoustic field to determine size and calculates charge based on drift velocity in an electric field. Unlike bulk methods like the Faraday cage, the EST provides detailed charge distribution data for individual particles. To address issues with discontinued parts, a new version of the EST is under development, featuring digital signal processing, miniaturization, and improved mobility.

Conclusions (Outlook): The PAS and EST offer unique and precise insights into particle properties, providing advanced solutions for research and quality control applications. The ongoing development of these devices is expected to further support innovations in industries that require accurate particle characterization.

Background and Aims: In contemporary society, rapid digitalization is advancing, expanding IoT platforms in the manufacturing industry. Among these developments, interest in digital twin technology is growing. However, this technology requires advanced computational capabilities, posing significant technical challenges. Particularly in the field of powder technology, it is necessary to accurately consider the complex behavior of particles, making its realization difficult. To address these challenges, we have focused on measuring properties such as the angle of repose and bulk density using the powder property measuring device “Powder Tester”. In collaboration with DENSE Ltd., we have been developing a simulation model that forms the basis of digital twins in powder technology.

Methods and Results: To numerically evaluate the complex behavior of powders, we measured the angle of repose and bulk density using the Powder Tester^TM in collaboration with DENSE Ltd. Based on these measurements, we developed a simulation model applying a coarse-grained model for irregular particles. This model enables practical time analysis in powder simulations, which typically require enormous computational costs. By incorporating these measurements into our model, we were able to simulate the behavior of powders more efficiently. The simulation results showed good agreement with experimental data, validating the model’s accuracy and effectiveness in predicting powder behavior under various conditions. Additionally, we explored different simulation scenarios to assess the model’s robustness and flexibility, further confirming its potential for practical applications in the industry.

Conclusions and Outlooks: The development of this simulation model has demonstrated that the behavior of irregular particles can be analyzed within practical timeframes. This achievement is expected to contribute to advancing digital twin technology in powder technology. Future challenges include further improving this model and applying it to simulate a wider range of powder behaviors, ultimately enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of digital twins in various industrial applications. By continuing this research, we aim to overcome existing limitations and drive innovation in the field of powder technology. Our ongoing efforts will focus on integrating more complex particle interactions and refining the model to handle diverse powder properties, paving the way for more sophisticated digital twin solutions.

Introduction: In industrial settings, drying slurry and clay-like materials can be achieved through direct or indirect heating methods. The Solidaire^TM dryer, an indirect heating dryer, stands out due to its efficient combination of jacket heating and high-speed paddle agitation. This study explores new technological advancements in Solidaire to enhance its drying capabilities.

About Solidaire^TM: The Solidaire dryer indirectly transfers heat to the material via a heated jacket while agitating the material with high-speed rotating paddles, ensuring efficient and rapid drying. The internal structure includes a cylindrical casing with a surrounding heating jacket and a rotating paddle assembly. The paddles’ high rotating speed helps to break down agglomerates, reducing the residence time and minimizing heat damage to the material.

Experimental methods: A series of tests was conducted to evaluate the effects of increased paddle rotating speed and reduced clearance between the paddles and the casing. These tests used a prototype designed to achieve higher paddle speeds and adjustable clearance. Experiments were conducted using a lightweight calcium carbonate slurry (primary particle size 150 nm, 67% W.B.), which is prone to adhesion. The overall heat transfer coefficient and moisture content of the dried product were measured under various conditions.

Results and Discussion:

1. Clearance Effect: Reducing the clearance between the agitator paddles and the inner wall increased the overall heat transfer coefficient, likely because of a decrease in the thickness of the boundary layer (L_p in Fig. 3).

2. Paddle Speed Effect: Increasing the paddle peripheral speed from the standard 11 m/s to 22 and 33 m/s improved the overall heat transfer coefficient (Figs. 7–9). Higher speeds facilitated particle dispersion, increased contact between particles and the heated wall, and reduced adhesion.

3. Jacket Temperature Effect: Higher jacket temperatures (steam pressures) increased the overall heat transfer coefficient and reduced the moisture content of the dried product, as expected (Figs. 11–14).

4. Adhesion Reduction: Higher paddle speeds effectively reduced adhesion inside the dryer, which is a common issue in drying operations (Fig. 15).

Conclusions: The study demonstrated that increasing the paddle rotating speed and optimizing the clearance in the Solidaire^TM indirect heating dryer significantly improved the drying capacity by enhancing the overall heat transfer coefficient and reducing adhesion. These findings provide insights into the development of next-generation dryers with improved performance for various industrial applications.

Introduction: The Nauta Mixer^® is a powder mixer developed in the 1940s in the Netherlands for mixing animal feed. The machine consists of a conical body with a mixing screw attached to a rotating arm. The Nauta Mixer has several favorable attributes, such as mixing swiftly with low energy consumption, minimal damage to the powder particles, ease of discharge with a low amount of residue, and ease of cleaning, making use of multiple products easier. The mixer has been widely adopted worldwide, with over 20,000 units sold across various industries.

Nauta Mixer^® principle and design: The Nauta Mixer utilizes the principle of convective mixing, where the powder undergoes upward, downward, and spiral motions within the casing due to the rotation of the screw. The mixer design follows a geometric similarity, with the casing angle remaining constant across different capacities, while only the height varies. As the capacity increases, the screw length also increases proportionally. This design approach ensures consistent mixing performance across different mixer sizes.

Nauta Mixer^® types and features: The Nauta Mixer is available in three main types: NX, DBX, and VN. The VN type, introduced in 1997, features a compact and sanitary design with improved drive-unit integration. Compared with the DBX type, the VN type offers a smaller footprint and improved cleanability while maintaining mixing performance.

Case study: low-floor VN mixer: A case study is presented where a low-floor 5000-L VN Mixer was replaced a horizontal mixer, addressing issues such as poor powder discharge and blocking by powder. The low-floor design was achieved by cutting the bottom section while ensuring adequate mixing performance through design modifications.

Research on mixing time: Research on estimating the mixing time for the Nauta Mixer is discussed, highlighting the correlation between mixing time and various parameters, such as screw diameter, length, rotational speed, and Froude number. While empirical equations show good agreement for smaller capacities, deviations are observed for larger mixers, likely due to more active convective mixing at higher powder levels.

Conclusions: The Nauta Mixer provides efficient convective mixing with minimal shear and temperature rise, making it suitable for various applications. Hosokawa Micron continues to innovate and provide tailored solutions to meet a variety of customer requirements and applications.

Human Stem Cell Culture Supernatant, a product of regenerative medicine and stem cell research, contains various cell growth factors and bioactive substances. It has diverse and multifaceted mechanisms of action, so that it is capable of activating cellular functions and promoting the production of constituent components. Consequently, it has attracted attention as a groundbreaking cosmetic ingredient and is being used accordingly.

In this paper, the functionality of a smart technology that fuses human stem cell culture fluid and PLGA nanospheres was verified. The results suggest excellent collagen-producing ability, especially in the epidermis and dermis, and indicate that the technology can be expected to be utilized in aging care cosmetics. It has been demonstrated that PLGA NS work as a highly useful delivery technology, which facilitates penetration of ingredients like HSCCS, despite their large molecular size, deep into the skin, and retains them at the site of action, ensuring a long-lasting effect.

The “Nano DDS-type hair-growth agent with PLGA nanospheres” is our core technology and has a high hair-growth effect, and has been actually used for hair growth in humans. In this report, we present the results of an in vitro test using dermal papilla cells, which play a central role in the normalization of the hair cycle, which is essential for hair growth, and in the formation and growth of hair follicles. In experiments using cells, we evaluated cell activating effects, gene expression of hair growth-promoting factors, and expression-suppressing effects of genes related to hair loss. The results showed that PLGA NS, which contains hair-growth components, has effects on the activation of papilla cells, normalization of the hair cycle, promotion of hair follicle formation, promotion of blood flow, and prevention of telogen effluvium transition (hair loss). These effects indicate that PLGA NS is an extremely useful delivery technology that allows hair-growth ingredients to penetrate deep into the pores and remain at the site of action for a sustained effect.

DRYMEISTER^® (model: DMR), which continues to evolve through numerous improvements and modifications since its development in 2000, is a representative model with high efficiency as a dryer. This dryer has a high-speed dispersion/pulverization mechanism and is also equipped with a classification mechanism. Experimental results and considerations are reported are reported, focusing on the improvement of drying efficiency, compactness, easy access cleaning, and reduction of adhesion, which are required for high-speed airflow direct heating dryers.

There are various types of particle measurement methods, and particle size measurement by image analysis is effective for evaluating the shape of particles and evaluating coarse particles contained in very small amounts. The Parshe Analyzer^®, which is a dynamic particle image analyzer, and the optional Auto Sampler, which is an automatic sample preparation and dispensing device, are introduced with examples of actual powder measurement.

Sustainability is an important and indispensable keyword for the survival and development of companies in a near-future society facing the problem of global warming. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and tackling climate change issues, which previously had only been an issue for large corporations, now require the entire world to work together. As a company listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, we bear the responsibility to contribute to these global endeavors. To fulfill our role as a member of a sustainable society and become a company that prioritizes sustainability, we must address these issues through our business activities and implement measures to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To address sustainability as a company-wide activity, we have formed project teams with the help of external consultants. The first team developed a GHG emissions estimation model and conducted an emissions estimation study based on this model. Additionally, they proposed a materiality plan, which also serves as an action guideline for reducing GHG emissions. The second team analyzed climate change scenarios and proposed disclosures on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) in accordance with the Corporate Governance Code. Both initiatives have received management approval and are now available on our website.

Recently, masks have become a must-have item due to the COVID-19 problem. The eye area not covered by mask, especially the eyelashes, has become an important part of a person’s first impression. In recent years, human stem cell culture supernatant has been attracting attention as a new cosmetic ingredient born from regenerative medicine technology for the purpose of growing eyelashes thicker and longer. The various growth factors and cytokines contained in the supernatant powerfully activate cells involved in hair growth, producing a strong hair-growing effect. However, due to the large molecular size of the supernatant contents, it has been difficult to penetrate the supernatant contents to the cells deep inside the pores, the target site for eyelash hair growth. In this paper, we focus on this human stem cell culture supernatant and report on its eyelash growth effect by combining it with PLGA nanoparticles’ DDS (Drug Delivery System) technology we have built which can deliver supernatant contents to the target site well.

Today, the hair-growth agent market continues to expand as the range of user base broadens. High efficacy that brings noticeable changes in hair is the key point for consumers to select hair restoration products. To achieve that, we examined to maximize the performance of our products by picking out effective materials and delivering them to pores. We tested ingredients through cell experiments and improved their functionality with our PLGA nanoparticles (PLGA NP) technology, which excels in pore penetration and durability.

The development of energy-efficient products is an essential responsibility of companies manufacturing and selling industrial equipment. This paper reports on the energy-efficient hot air jet mill and the ACM-F, the latest model of the impact pulverizer ACM with built-in classifier, which was developed considering energy savings. It also presents an overview of the HOSOKAWA GEN4 RM, a remote monitoring and data collection system that was launched as a first product towards improving the efficiency of the entire plant.

The IoT has a SoS nature that creates additional new value by connecting with the IoT used in other equipment, resulting in a ‘connected world’. In factories handling powders in the connected world, online and in-line monitoring of the condition of powders and equipment, as well as their condition, is essential for quality inspections to check whether products meet shipping standards, or for both minimizing energy consumption and maximizing throughput during the production of products and raw materials, and for systems to analyze big data are essential. However, there are currently a number of problems that stand in the way of bringing measuring equipment online. This paper addresses these issues in order to provide seeds for powder engineering, and also introduces the remote monitoring system that is part of the IoT integration framework HOSOKAWA GEN4 for powder processes.

The necessity of global warming countermeasures is recognized worldwide, and various efforts are being made in Japan, such as reducing CO₂ emissions. In particular, factories emit a large amount of CO₂, which has a large impact on global warming. Therefore, we would like to introduce our DRYMEISTER^® (hereinafter referred to as DMR) superheated steam closed circuit system as a drying technology that can save energy and reduce CO₂ in the drying process of factory equipment and is a countermeasure against global warming. This system is characterized by the reuse of hot air that has been discharged into the atmosphere at a relatively high temperature after being used for drying.