J fils Co.,Ltd.

About J_fils

Mr. Kohei Tani of J fils Co., Ltd., whom we interviewed

Our company was founded on 12 December 2000. Initially focused primarily on administrative and accounting services, we changed our name to J fils Co., Ltd. in 2008 and made a significant shift towards environmental business. We currently operate two domestic bases: our headquarters in Kitakyushu City and the Onga Sales Office, alongside a sales base in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Our principal activities include the design and manufacture of machinery and equipment, the domestic deployment of our patented water gate opening/closing motorization system, Rakushou II and its remote-controlled model Rakushou S, in addition to the development of high-concentration organic industrial wastewater treatment utilizing enzymes, both domestically and internationally. Our strength lies in our advanced technical capabilities to design and commercialize specialized equipment. We consistently value the approach of ‘materializing what does not yet exist in the world,’ providing innovative proprietary brand products that solve our customers' challenges.

What products is your company aiming to expand overseas?

Our flagship product is the CM System, an enzyme-based high-concentration organic industrial wastewater treatment unit. Its development traces back to the era when we were subcontractors for wastewater treatment facilities. The prevailing activated sludge method generated vast quantities of sludge during treatment, whose disposal (via ocean dumping or incineration) imposed significant environmental burdens. It was within this context that we encountered technology utilizing enzymes to drastically reduce sludge and odor. Convinced that technology eliminating sludge and odor would become the next-generation standard, we commenced development.

The completed CM System demonstrates its greatest efficacy on highly concentrated organic industrial wastewater. Its defining feature lies in the enzymatic hydrolysis that breaks down cell membranes, transforming the sludge into water and carbon dioxide. Requiring minimal microorganisms and decomposing dead microbes, it successfully reduces sludge (primarily microbial remains) and odor generation – key challenges of conventional activated sludge processes – by 50 to 90 per cent. Furthermore, by recovering and recycling the enzymes, it facilitates microbial management and enables stable treatment resilient to environmental changes, making it a groundbreaking system. As it does not require advanced management techniques, we believe it is well-suited for introduction in developing countries. Additionally, anticipating the severe shortage of operators even in Japan, we are developing a system unique to enzyme treatment that enables remote management and monitoring from bases in various countries, thereby reducing the burden on companies.

Ngoc Hai Fishing Port where landed seafood was left unattended, emitting foul odors (prior to CM system implementation).

Treatment status at Ngoc Hai Fishing Port six months after system operation commenced (from left: raw water, aeration tank, carrier tank, treated water).Treatment status confirmed as exceptionally good.

What kind of international cooperation and overseas business expansion has your company undertaken to date?

The CM system had accumulated dozens of installations domestically, yet understanding and appreciation for enzyme treatment within the Japanese market at that time remained insufficient. The turning point came with a questionnaire from the Kitakyushu International Technical Cooperation Association (KITA), a public interest incorporated foundation, gauging interest in overseas expansion. Seizing this opportunity, the company set the goal of achieving success overseas and then reintroducing it to Japan. This led to its selection for a JICA feasibility study in 2016. Following a test installation at Nam Hai Market in Haiphong City, its advanced technical capabilities were recognized by the Deputy Mayor. This led to strong recommendations from the city in 2018, resulting in the project's selection for JICA's Demonstration and Dissemination Project.

The demonstration site was Ngoc Hai Fishing Port, Haiphong City's international trade hub. At the time, the port faced critical issues of severe pollution from sewage and waste, prompting demands for improvement from its export destination, the EU. For the facility construction, J fils handled the design, while local procurement through competitive bidding was strictly adhered to for construction. Although quality control of materials proved challenging, close consultation and collaboration with officials from the Foreign Affairs Department, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, port authorities, and local enterprises enabled the establishment of a robust cooperative foundation and strong relationships of trust.

Construction progress nearing completion under remote supervision from Japan during the period when travel was impossible due to COVID-19.

Commemorative photo with construction personnel in front of the completed CM system at Ngoc Hai Market.

The completed CM system.

Commissioned by Bac Ninh Province, three companies conducted a treatment capacity test for high-concentration starchy wastewater. While the other two companies were unable to treat it and abandoned the test, the CM system successfully processed it, earning trust.

What are your company's future prospects?

Building on our success in Vietnam, we are pursuing patent applications with an eye towards expansion into Thailand and India. Trademark registration has already been completed in India, and we are considering other countries. We aim to establish a mutually beneficial relationship by collaborating with local enterprises and, wherever possible, conducting local manufacturing and installation to keep costs down and foster shared growth.

While it is challenging for SMEs to negotiate independently with overseas municipalities on public works projects such as wastewater treatment, the sister-city relationship between Kitakyushu City and Haiphong City proved invaluable. Kitakyushu Asian Center for Low Carbon Society (now Kitakyushu Asia Center for Carbon Neutrality) provided significant support, including facilitating coordination with Haiphong City's Foreign Affairs Bureau. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage such public support while tackling the global challenge of preventing ocean and river pollution.

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