The World Future Energy Summit (hereinafter "the WFES") 2010 was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE from January 18 to 21, 2010. The summit is organized to provide an opportunity for discussions at an international level on issues surrounding alternative energy. Along with large-scale conferences aimed at establishing sustainable societies based on alternative energy technologies, an exhibition of businesses and technologies related to the environmental sector was also organized. Thanks in part to the close proximity of the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which is also located in Abu Dhabi, the WFES2010, now in its third year, attracted 23,000 participants from 130 countries including dignitaries and business leaders engaged in renewable energy.

At the exhibition, Sumitomo Corporation introduced its leading-edge CO2 permselective membrane technology, which is currently under development for commercialization in partnership with Renaissance Energy Research Corporation (hereinafter "Renaissance"). Based on a membrane that can only be penetrated by CO2, this technology, which was originally developed by Renaissance, boasts a globally competitive level of performance. With a wide range of applications expected, including petroleum refining, hydrogen production at chemical plants, and carbon capture and storage (CCS), there are strong hopes that the technology will contribute to energy conservation and the fight against global warming.

During the four-day exhibition, representatives of more than 100 companies, including those involved in oil development and engineering, paid a visit to Sumitomo's booth. "Every visitor to our booth seemed greatly interested and listened intently to our explanations," said Tomoyuki Yamada, Assistant General Manager of the Power Energy Solution Business Department, looking back on the successful exhibition. Sumitomo will utilize the feedback received from visitors to continue to develop new markets.