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Environmental Protection Policy Based on our Group Mission "TechnoAmenity - Providing prosperity and comfort to people and society, with our unique technology", we have established the following policies.
Click below to move to each initiative.
We are engaged in various efforts to not only provide better products and services, but also to reduce the environmental impacts of our business operations, including in our supply chains. We make efforts to conserve energy and tackle climate change of course. We are also managing the water used in our manufacturing sites in order to use water resources effectively, conducting advanced recycling and thoroughly treating water before it is released into the natural environment. Moreover, we also commission odor monitoring as well as conduct odor patrols and regular noise measurements so that neighboring residents can live in peace. In fiscal 2020, we received no reports of environmental pollution incidents or environmental complaints.
Note: This fiscal 2020 data is for only Nippon Shokubai (including our head offices, research centers and other sites).
Click here for the TCFD report.
Nippon Shokubai has formulated a roadmap for reducing GHG emissions by 2050. This roadmap concerns our "Strategic Transformation for Environmental Initiatives," which is one of our "Three Transformations," and is based on "TechnoAmenity for the Future," the long-term vision of the Nippon Shokubai Group announced in April 2021.
For our GHG emissions reduction target for 2030, which is the final year of our long-term vision, we set the GHG emissions reduction target for fiscal 2030 to be 10% or more compared to the level of fiscal 2014 by reference to the CO2 emissions reduction target for fiscal 2030 set by JCIA in March 2019 (10.7% reduction compared to FY 2013), and we had been making efforts for the reduction. However, in April 2021, the Japanese government substantially raised the GHG emissions reduction target for fiscal 2030 to 46% compared to the fiscal 2013 level, and we first revised the GHG emissions reduction target for Nippon Shokubai Group in Japan, which account for about 70% of the Group's total GHG emissions, to 30%. Going forward, we will also proceed to examine the reduction targets for our group companies outside Japan.
At Nippon Shokubai, in line with the targets set in the commitment to a low carbon society by the JCIA, the RC Promotion Committee, chaired by the President, has formulated the Medium-term RC Basic Plan. Based on this Plan, each plant, under the initiative of the energy management committee, implements activities to help mitigate climate change, including reducing energy consumption and CO2 emission intensity.
In fiscal 2020, despite the efforts to conserve energy, the results were 109 L/t-production for energy intensity and 0.411 t-CO2/t-production for CO2 emission intensity, and 0.205 t-CO2/t-production for energy source CO2 emissions intensity, mainly due to a decrease in production volume.
From fiscal 2021, we started solar power generation (on-site power generation) at the Himeji Plant.
The Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons was fully implemented in April 2015 and covers the entire lifecycle of fluorocarbons from production to disposal. In April 2020, regulations for the disposal of specified devices were tightened.
As a "user of specified products," we carry out scheduled simple inspections and periodic inspections as required by law. The amount of fluorocarbon leakage calculated in fiscal 2020 totaled 3,122 t-CO2 for the entire company, with 879 t-CO2 from the Himeji Plant and 2,094 t-CO2 from the Kawasaki Plant.
We will continue to strive to reduce the amount of fluorocarbon leakage through initiatives such as strengthening inspections and maintenance, introducing devices that use coolants with a low global warming potential and ozone depletion potential, and implementing proper treatment at the time of disposal of devices, which will help alleviate global warming.
(t-CO2)
Himeji Plant | 879 |
---|---|
Kawasaki Plant | 2,094 |
Others | 148 |
Entire company | 3,122 |
In Scope 3, the amount of GHG emissions associated with corporate activities in the supply chain is calculated for each category, and the amounts of all categories are aggregated. The GHG protocol classifies GHG emissions into Scopes 1, 2 and 3 as shown below.
We will continue to calculate Scope 3 emissions in the future.
No. | Category | Emissions (1,000 t-CO2) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
FY2017 | FY2018 | FY2019 | ||
1 | Purchased goods and services | 1,619 | 1,556 | 1,510 |
2 | Capital goods | 40 | 31 | 37 |
3 | Fuel- and energy-related activities (not included in Scope 1 or Scope 2) |
62 | 61 | 63 |
4 | Upstream transportation and distribution | 15 | 14 | 14 |
5 | Waste generated in operations | 7 | 7 | 7 |
6 | Business travel | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
7 | Employee commuting | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
12 | End-of-life treatment of sold products | 2,240 | 2,142 | 2,068 |
Total | 3,984 | 3,812 | 3,701 |
In order to contribute to the reduction of Scope 3 emissions, the following items will also be strongly promoted.
As a way of tackling climate change through our logistics operations, we are taking steps to reduce our CO2 emission intensity and implement exhaust gas countermeasures to control air pollution.
Although changing economic conditions can affect the amount of goods we transport and our CO2 emissions, we are advancing initiatives to reduce our CO2 emission intensity. These include modal shifts, improved transport efficiency, introduction of digital tachometers interlocked with GPS and drive recorders, and energy efficient vehicle operation such as minimal idling and the installation of energy-efficient tires.
We adopted the Kawasaki eco-transportation system as an air pollution control measure (effective April 1, 2010) and introduced three initiatives: eco-friendly driving and display of "eco-drive" stickers, elimination of vehicles that do not comply with laws regulating NOx and PM emissions, and widespread adoption of lowemission and energy-efficient vehicles.
In response to the increasingly severe shortage of truck drivers in the logistics industry, Nippon Shokubai supports the "White Logistics" promotion campaign, a movement aiming to realize sustainable logistics. For the purpose of improving productivity and efficiency of transportation and realizing a "whiter" working environment that is friendly to women and drivers in their 60s, we are advancing various initiatives, including improving efficiency of transportation by promoting a shift from long-distance transportation by trucks to transportation using roll-on/roll-off ships or railroad or by introducing joint transportation with other companies in the same business field, and improving loading and unloading operations.
We believe that these initiatives will contribute also to reducing the impact on the environment.
An example of modal shift
(railway tank containers and loading and filling equipment)
Chemical products have an impact on the environment because they are produced using the Earth's resources and involve the discharge of CO2 and other waste. However, looking at the entire product life cycle from raw material extraction to product disposal, in some stages chemical products contribute to a reduction in the environmental impacts.
We evaluate how our Group's products are used to reduce the environmental impacts through the supply chain to produce the various products in our daily life and as equipment to produce our products and in the social infrastructure.
At Nippon Shokubai, an internal certification committee certifies the Environmental Contribution Products after examining the checklist items and numerical data. In fiscal 2021, two products were newly certified.
Types of contribution | Product life stage | Applications | Accredited products | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Global warming prevention Energy conservation | GHG reduction | Manufacturing | Aquaculture feed binders | AQUALIC™H (for feed) |
Concrete admixtures | AQUALOC™ | |||
Use | Lithium-ion battery materials | IONEL™ | ||
Solid-state battery materials | ICPDAP™, ICPSEB™ | |||
CO2 absorbent | Aminoalcohol (Nippon Nyukazai Co., Ltd.)* | |||
Disposal | Paint and adhesive raw materials, reactive diluents | Isobornyl acrylate | ||
Paint and adhesive raw materials | Ethyl acrylate | |||
Energy conservation | Manufacturing | UV-curable reactive diluents | VEEA™ | |
Use | Solid oxide fuel cell materials | Electrolyte sheets for solid oxide fuel cells | ||
Automotive damping materials | ACRYSET™ (for damping materials) | |||
Optical and electronic materials | ZIRCOSTAR™ | |||
Chemical emission reduction Air quality conservation | Chemical emission reduction | Use | Water-based paints | UWR™, ACRYSET™ (for water-based paints) |
Water-based adhesives | EPOCROS™ | |||
UV-curable paints | AOMA™ | |||
Air pollution prevention | Use | Removal of HC (hydrocarbon), NOx, dioxin and other pollutants from exhaust gas | Automotive catalysts | |
Waste gas treatment catalysts | ||||
Denitrification catalysts and equipment | ||||
Dioxin decomposition catalysts and equipment | ||||
Water resource conservation Water quality conservation Biodiversity conservation | Water contamination prevention | Use | Oxidation and decomposition of harmful substances in wastewater | Wastewater treatment catalysts for catalytic wet air oxidation |
Water treatment additives | EPOMIN™ | |||
Disposal | Detergent builders | AQUALIC™L (for detergent) | ||
Biodegradability | Disposal | Detergent ingredients | SOFTANOL™ | |
HIDS™ | ||||
Resources use reduction | Resources use reduction | Use | Hollow fiber membranes | Polyvinylpyrrolidone |
Waste reduction | Waste reduction | Disposal | Concrete admixtures | AQUAGUARD™ |
*Product of our group company
We employ the cLCA method to assess the degree to which our products contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. The cLCA method assesses CO2 emissions throughout the lifecycle of a finished product incorporating a specific chemical product compared with a product when assuming that the chemical products are not available. The difference in the volume of emissions is calculated as the net volume of emissions that would be avoided as a result of using that chemical product.
AQUAGUARD™ | Calculation of CO2 emissions avoided in one year when all apartments are built as long-lasting structures3.4 million tons | AQUAGUARD™ was developed to reduce cracking and spalling in concrete. The combination of AQUAGUARD™ with a high-range water reducer for concrete is expected to contribute to much longer-lasting concrete structures. |
---|---|---|
Assessment prerequisitesService period: The lifecycle assessment assumes that a long-life apartment has a 100-year service life and a conventional apartment has a 50-year service life. CO2 emissions associated with the building, use and demolition of apartments are evaluated with reference to the "Guidelines for LCA for Buildings" published by the Architectural Institute of Japan. | ||
ACRYSET™(for damping materials) |
Calculation of CO2 emissions avoided when an application-type vibration-damping material is installed in all automobiles manufactured in one year310,000 tons | We developed an emulsion for application-type vibration-damping materials for mounting on the lower surface of a vehicle body to reduce the noise and vibration from the engine and road surface. Using such material, it is possible to make the vehicle light and energy-efficient. |
Assessment prerequisitesThe annual travel distance is assumed to be 10,000 km with a 10-year service life. Automobiles using asphalt sheeting as a vibration-damping material are compared and evaluated. | ||
ZIRCOSTAR™ | Calculation of CO2 emissions avoided when ZIRCOSTAR™ is incorporated in all smartphones manufactured in one year220,000 tons | This product has outstanding optical properties, and using it for plastic lenses, displays, and other optical materials increases the energy efficiency of displays on mobile phones, smartphones, and other handheld devices, contributing to a longer battery life. |
Assessment prerequisitesAccording to the usage time described in the Carbon Footprint Product Category Rules, the product was evaluated as being in use for two years. A smartphone incorporating ZIRCOSTAR™ in the optical material was evaluated as achieving a 3.6% reduction in power consumption as an energy-efficiency benefit. | ||
VEEA™ | Calculation of CO2 emissions avoided by reduction expected from all the UV curable inks produced in one year330,000 tons | Use of VEEA™ as UV-curable reactive diluents for inks that are better for the environment makes volatile solvents, as well as related equipment, unnecessary, saves energy and increases productivity. |
Assessment prerequisitesPrinted materials were assumed to be printed in four colors on full A-sized sheets with 3.2 g/m² of ink. Commercial offset and commercial UV printing presses were compared for evaluation. | ||
AQUALIC™H(for feed) | Calculation of CO2 emissions avoided when all aquaculture feed produced in one year is replaced with moist pellets (MP)80,000 tons | MP uses AQUALIC™H as the binder and thus contains a smaller amount of fish meal, which requires a large amount of energy in the procurement of ingredients and the drying process. Use of MP therefore results in a reduction of CO2 emitted in the course of growing fish. |
Assessment prerequisitesAll feed in the aquaculture industry produced in Japan in one year was evaluated. The comparison target was dry pellets with a high content of fish meal and with no binders used. | ||
IONEL™ ICPDAP™· ICPSEB™Electrolyte sheets for solid oxide fuel cells |
(1) Calculation of CO2 emissions avoided when solid batteries are utilized as a regulated power supply for the use of renewable-energy-derived electricity supplied in one year (Use for electric vehicles is not included.) (2) Calculation of CO2 emissions avoided from the use of fuel cells5.96 million tons |
IONEL™, ICPDAP™ and ICPSEB™ are used for storage batteries. Storage batteries are expected to be utilized as a regulated power supply in order to enhance solar power and wind power, which are major sources of renewable energy subject to significant output fluctuations. Use of solid oxide fuel cells will also contribute to reducing CO2 emissions as they can generate electricity and hot water with high efficiency. |
Assessment prerequisitesFor calculation of CO2 emissions avoided from the use of storage batteries, fluctuations in electricity and regulated power supply were assumed so that the supply and demand of electricity are balanced at the most economically efficient point. For calculation of CO2 emissions avoided from the use of fuel cells, because the amount of hydrogen supply cannot be predicted, evaluation was conducted based on fuel cells for houses, which generate power by modifying "city gas." The comparison target was thermal power generation. |
Note: The above assumed values are for comparative purposes only; the actual service life and performance are not guaranteed.
In fiscal 1995, we participated in a voluntary PRTR survey undertaken by the JCIA and have set out to reduce our emissions of chemical substances into the environment.
In fiscal 2020, we released 83 tons of substances subject to the PRTR Law, which represents a 22.8% decrease in emissions compared to fiscal 2015 levels. However, we were not able to achieve our target of 25% reduction from fiscal 2015 levels.
(tons)
No. | Government Designation No. | Substance Subject to the PRTR Law | Released into Atmosphere | Released into Water | Total Emissions | Amount Transferred |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 405 | Boron compounds | 0.0 | 30.3 | 30.3 | 0.2 |
3 | 321 | Vanadium compounds | 0.0 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 0.0 |
2 | 4 | Acrylic acid and its water-soluble salts | 9.6 | 0.0 | 9.6 | 0.0 |
4 | 80 | Xylene | 5.8 | 0.0 | 5.8 | 16.7 |
7 | 56 | Ethylene oxide | 2.9 | 0.0 | 2.9 | 0.0 |
6 | 300 | Toluene | 2.8 | 0.0 | 2.8 | 350.4 |
8 | 12 | Acetaldehyde | 2.4 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 0.0 |
5 | 58 | Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether | 2.3 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 0.0 |
9 | 7 | Butyl acrylate | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
10 | 154 | Cyclohexylamine | 1.3 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
Reducing waste is a necessary initiative to support the creation of a society committed to recycling. Toward the goal of achieving and maintaining "zero emissions" (defined as "reducing the quantity of waste subject to final disposal at off-site landfills to less than 0.1% of the total amount of waste generated"), we are introducing sorting for the recovery and recycling of our waste.
In fiscal 2020, we are continuing to implement our zero emissions policy by reducing the amount of waste subject to final disposal at off-site landfills. In addition to implementing comprehensive sorting for recovery and recycling, we are achieving this by redesigning our processes to reduce waste, reusing byproducts and processing product leftovers on site.
We are monitoring our SOx, NOx and dust emissions, and we have installed denitrification equipment, which we developed in-house, for NOx and scrubbers for dust to prevent air pollution. For SOx, we are reducing our heavy oil consumption and progressing with converting fuel to natural gas to reduce emissions. We use the waste gas treatment catalysts we developed in-house for purification of unreacted raw materials and by products generated in the production processes.
To prevent water pollution, we are working to reduce the environmental impact of wastewater from production processes by using waste liquid treatment equipment. In addition to reusing cooling water for more effective use of our water resources, we have adopted high-performance activated sludge treatment equipment that can stably process even high impact substances and are working on reducing sludge waste as well.
All emissions are at levels below municipal and prefectural agreements.
(tons)
'15 | '16 | '17 | '18 | '19 | '20 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOx emissions | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
NOx emissions | 173 | 205 | 204 | 198 | 203 | 198 |
Dust emissions | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
COD of wastewater | 46 | 51 | 54 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
Total phosphorus emissions | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Total nitrogen emissions | 51 | 54 | 47 | 58 | 55 | 52 |
(tons)
'15 | '16 | '17 | '18 | '19 | '20 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOx emissions | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
NOx emissions | 54 | 44 | 48 | 45 | 43 | 48 |
Dust emissions | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
COD of wastewater | 37 | 34 | 45 | 53 | 60 | 61 |
The values determined in our environmental accounting were aggregated according to the Environmental Accounting Guidelines for the Chemical Industry published in 2003 by the JCIA and the Japan Responsible Care Council. We also made reference to the Environmental Accounting Guidelines 2005 published by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.
(millions of yen)
Classification | Main Initiatives | Amount Invested | Expenses | Effects | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Business area cost | 1.Pollution Control Cost | Preventing air and water pollution, controlling hazardous substances | 44 | 2,343 | No pollution problems occurred. |
2.Global Environmental Protection Cost | Initiatives to reduce energy consumption and to tackle climate change | 230 | 3,256 | We conducted energy efficiency efforts equivalent to 3,490 kL (crude oil) annually. | |
3.Resource Recycling Cost | Appropriate treatment and disposal of industrial waste | 53 | 633 | We maintained zero emissions by sorting and recycling our solid waste. | |
Upstream/downstream cost | Reuse of resources | 0 | 54 | Some of drum containers are reused. | |
Environmental management cost | Operation of environmental management structure; acquisition and maintenance of ISO 14001 registration | 0 | 555 | All our plants successfully acquired certifications, and we are seeking to enhance our environmental management systems. | |
R&D cost | Reduction of the environmental impact through development and manufacturing of green products | 0 | 2,604 | Conducting R&D of products that contribute to the environment. | |
Social activity cost | Environmental-related contributions | 0 | 22 | Implementing forest development initiatives. | |
Environmental damage cost | ― | 0 | 4 | ― | |
Total | 327 | 9,471 |
(millions of yen)
Effect | Amount | |
---|---|---|
Income | Operating revenue from recycling used products and waste generated by principal business activities | 34 |
Cost saving | Reduction in expenses associated with energy conservation | 808 |
Reduction in waste disposal cost accruing from resource conservation and recycling | 1,642 | |
Total | 2,484 |