The oldest existing reactors that we used for grease production, the "vertical cylindrical grease manufacturing vat - double action stirring type" and "horizontal cylindrical saponification vat - furnace integral direct fire heating type" are certified by the Japanese Society of Tribologists as tribology heritage No. 14.

Tribology heritage means items recognized by the Japanese Society of Tribologists and publicized and honored in order to discover and preserve technologies and artifacts related to tribology that have made an important contribution in the history of the development of science and technology.

The "vertical cylindrical grease manufacturing vat - double action stirring type" is an open type reactor that was installed in our Tsujido Plant in 1956 and was used for 50 years. This vat features "double action" internal and contra-rotating stirring blades that rotate in opposite directions. It was a rare type at the time but became a model for present day vats.

The "Horizontal cylindrical saponification vat - furnace integral direct fire heating type" is a sealed type reactor that was installed in our Tsujido Plant in July 1963 and was used for 43 years. After that, recognizing their usefulness, additional vats of the same type were installed. This vat uses an open flame to heat the furnace and is a rare form that is hardly ever seen now.

On 23rd January, 2015, the 26th Tribology Study Group was held at the Pacifico Yokohama Conference Center [Chair: Professor Yoshitsugu Kimura, (Kagawa University Emeritus Professor, University of Tokyo), Secretariat: Kyodo Yushi]. The theme this time was "Tribology technology that surpasses common sense", and lectures on leading technology from various fields were given.