Activities of the total energy and materials control system investigation committee in the Japan Research and Development Center for Metals

Suppression of the explosion of the world population and the surprising inc rease of waste and emissions are major targets confronting mankind in the n ext century. Metal industries have consumed a tremendous amount of energy a nd discharged a large quantity of CO, and solid waste, although the metals they have produced have supported a high quality of life. Recycling and was te minimization are key words for sustainable development in a highly indus trialized society. The Total Energy and Materials Control System (TEMCOS) investigation commit tee began in 1997 in the Japan Research and Development Center for Metals ( JRCM) to address these problems. The goal of TEMCOS is the achievement of z ero waste and energy minimization to make a strong inter-process linkage be tween different industries. Activities of the committee are described here.