Ribura and Cleantech Thermal Holdings Collaborate on AI for Waste Management Industry

Collaborative AI Development in Waste Management

In a groundbreaking partnership, Ribura, a startup originating from Toyota Technical College, has announced its collaboration with Cleantech Thermal Holdings to accelerate digital transformation (DX) in the industrial waste management sector. The collaboration aims to develop advanced AI solutions that will enhance the efficiency and accuracy of quoting processes within the industry, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable, circular society.

Addressing Industry Challenges

The industrial waste management sector, particularly in the intermediate processing segment, is faced with numerous challenges. These include time-intensive processes required for assessing the viability of waste treatment and creating accurate estimates. At Cleantech Thermal, it was identified that staff members devote approximately two hours each day to estimation tasks, a process heavily reliant on the individual experience and knowledge of employees. Additionally, inconsistencies in pricing for the same client raised concerns regarding the reliability and consistency of quoted figures.

To address these issues, Ribura and Cleantech Thermal have been jointly working on a proof of concept (PoC) for an AI-powered estimation forecasting tool. With the commencement of the full-scale collaborative development phase set for June 2025, the project will focus on four key AI functionalities.

The Four Key AI Functionalities

1. Treatment Viability Assessment: This function will automatically determine whether specific items can be collected and treated based on item names and quantities.
2. Automated Estimation Generation: By inputting item names, quantities, and unit prices, this function will generate estimation documents automatically, thereby streamlining the estimation process.
3. Unit Price Calculation: The system will calculate the appropriate unit prices based on item names and comments from the processing facility.
4. Item Identification: Utilizing Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information, this feature will help in accurately identifying and classifying items, automating verification checks and preventing misidentification.

These advancements are expected to significantly reduce the time required for creating estimates while providing data-driven consistency and improving client trust and reliability in the quoting process.

Expert Insights on the Collaboration

According to Shoji, the Head of the Information Systems Department at Cleantech Thermal, there has been a longstanding burden on the field staff associated with estimation tasks. He expressed his enthusiasm for the collaborative development with Ribura, stating, "We are thrilled to leverage AI to overcome these challenges. Through the PoC verification, we aim to reflect the voices from the field to develop more practical AI that enhances operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, thus contributing to the overall DX in our industry."

In agreement, Ryusei Ito, President of Ribura, emphasized that their AI development prioritizes creating tools that are user-friendly and facilitate the daily workflows of professionals in the field. He stated, "Our goal with this estimation forecasting AI is to thoroughly analyze on-site operation flows to ensure it is intuitive and effectively eases workload. We are proud to apply the technology we have developed at our startup to help accelerate DX in the industrial waste management sector and contribute to the realization of a circular economy."

Company Profiles

Cleantech Thermal Holdings was founded by Taro Hango in 1981 as Japan Clean Supply, operating under the mission of considering the environmental well-being of local communities for the next 100 years. Initially focusing on the challenge of illegal dumping of medical waste in the 1990s, the company has since evolved to provide comprehensive services in final disposal, intermediate processing, and waste collection, establishing themselves with a value standard centered around proper treatment and recycling.
Ribura, on the other hand, is a dynamic startup centered on leveraging the latest AI technologies to support their clients. Their mission is to create a society where everyone can challenge and realize their aspirations through their two main business initiatives: DX solution offerings and programming education.

As both companies embark on this innovative AI journey, it is expected that their combined efforts will transform the industrial waste management landscape significantly.