Energy used in our production activities is broadly divided into Scope 1 (steam) and Scope 2 (electricity). To reduce such energy consumption, we have been implementing initiatives through productivity enhancements and energy conservation activities. We promote energy conservation by adopting energy‑saving models during equipment updates and by reviewing and reducing unnecessary energy use in daily production activities. We have also reduced energy use by reviewing our business practices, achieving reductions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. In the future, we will consider including renewable energy in part of the currently purchased contracted electricity, supporting our decarbonization efforts.
To achieve a 46% reduction by FY2030 compared to FY2013 and advance toward FY2050, we must reduce Scope 1 emissions as well as pursue renewable energy initiatives for Scope 2. Accordingly, we will continue implementing the energy conservation activities we have been undertaking.

Introduction of solar power generation facilities

Among GHG emission reduction activities, Scope 2 indirect emissions reduction activities play a critical role in achieving our FY2030 target of a 46% reduction. In particular, we believe that the introduction of renewable energy and low-carbon electricity is a key measure in Scope 2 reduction. In addition to including renewable energy in part of the contracted electricity, we have begun to consider owning self-consumption power generation facilities (solar power generation facilities). We are exploring options to introduce solar power generation facilities through an on-site PPA model, such as installing them within our plant. Although on-site solar power generation facilities cannot fully cover the electricity used in our plants, we will continue to consider their installation, as they offer investment returns and help reduce daytime power loads.

Reduction of final disposal volume (industrial waste)

The Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association has set a target of reducing the final disposal volume by 95% or more by FY2025 compared to FY2001. However, since we started aggregating industrial waste in FY2005, we have obtained the approval of the association to set our goal of reducing the final disposal volume in Japan by 95% or more by FY2025 compared to FY2005. The actual result in FY2024 was a 99.1% reduction against this reduction target, reaching the target compared to FY2005.
On the other hand, the final disposal volume was higher than anticipated at the beginning of the fiscal year. Nevertheless, we were able to keep it below the target we set for each year.
In addition, we met the target for the ratio of final disposal volume to total waste volume (final disposal ratio), which we set voluntarily, at 0.92% against a target of 1.0% or less.
Our 3R activities are ongoing, and in FY2024, we successfully carried out thermal and material recycling of items that had previously been disposed of as non‑combustible landfill waste. We will continue our efforts to reduce the final disposal volume and promote recycling.

The rubber glue used in the initial manufacturing process requires an organic solvent to melt the rubber, but in the intermediate manufacturing process, this organic solvent is removed and released into the atmosphere as VOC (volatile organic compound) gas. We manage VOC emissions by aggregating emission volumes based on the quantities of organic solvents purchased and transferred as waste liquids.
Following FY2023, we again achieved the target of reducing VOC emissions by 50% or more in FY2024 compared with FY2000. Since FY2023, we have discontinued some products that relied on organic solvents, significantly reducing organic solvent use and lowering VOC emissions.
Although VOC emissions have decreased significantly, our handling volume still requires reporting under the PRTR system, and we therefore continue to aggregate the data. Our recent management encompasses not only the amount of purchases but also the quantities used in production. VOC emissions are calculated monthly based on the organic solvent content of raw materials used in production and the amount transferred as industrial waste. This data is utilized to strengthen our VOC emission management.

Management of chemical substances and environmentally hazardous substances

Since FY2022, the ministerial ordinances related to the Industrial Safety and Health Act have been revised as new chemical substance regulations. As a result, additional substances have been sequentially included, requiring labeling, SDS notification, and risk assessment implementation. To address these changes in the future, we will evaluate the standard concentration values of relevant substances and appoint a chemical substance manager.

As part of our initiatives to preserve ecosystem diversity, we participate in the Morino Project and the Marine Litter Zero Project. In our production activities, we take biodiversity-friendly measures and promote biodiversity conservation throughout the supply chain, including optimizing energy use, considering environmental impacts in raw material procurement, reducing VOC emissions into the atmosphere, conserving water, and segregating and recycling waste. One example of our production measures is the use of plant‑based packaging materials to reduce environmental impact.
We will continue our efforts to conserve forests and oceans, reduce environmental impacts, and promote activities that preserve biodiversity and natural capital.

In our plants in Japan, we use potable water and groundwater. We use potable water in our plants for production purpose and other general purposes. We regularly manage its use to detect abnormalities early and prevent wasteful water use. For groundwater, we strive to reduce intake, recognizing that it is an important resource across all our production sites. Specifically, we recycle groundwater used in the manufacturing process and reuse it after being cooled in our plants. Since the water temperature rises when left as it is, we use it after it has cooled in the cooling tower. In addition, some production facilities are equipped with chiller systems, which operate as closed cooling-water circulation lines that do not require refilling or discharging the cooled chiller water.

As for water drainage, we analyze sewage and effluent on a regular basis. Our contractor analyzes the collected effluent and provides us with a measurement certificate containing the analysis results, including pH, COD, BOD, SS, and nitrogen and phosphorus content. We handle and manage waste liquids from other manufacturing processes by placing them in containers and entrusting their disposal to a qualified industrial waste contractor.

In FY2024, we responded to CDP's questionnaires on climate change and water security, receiving a score of B for climate change and C for water security. We will continue to strengthen our environmental initiatives and further improve our responses to CDP.

Most recently, in March 2023, we held an Environmental Communication session at our Iwatsuki Plant. We provided information on the chemical substances we handle and explained the Iwatsuki Plant's business activities, as well as the status of our environmental initiatives, during a plant tour. As for our environmental initiatives, we presented trends in VOC (volatile organic compound) and GHG emissions, progress in industrial waste segregation and final disposal volume reduction, and specific energy conservation initiatives. We also shared the status of target achievement for these initiatives. We explained that we comply with regulatory standards in various measurements required by laws and regulations, as well as gave an update on our activities to reduce environmental impact and preserve the local environment. The session was concluded with an exchange of opinions, which helped the local community better understand our company's environmental initiatives.

We will continue to disclose information by positioning the Environmental Communication sessions as opportunities to communicate our plants' environmental initiatives.

Saitama Prefecture views Environmental Communication sessions as a vital platform for residents, businesses, and governments to share environmental information and exchange views. To ensure these sessions are used effectively, the prefecture holds Environmental Communication training sessions. At these sessions, lectures and a simulated Environmental Communication session are provided by lecturers as part of the training. Our company participated in one session in February 2025, which helped us enhance our environmental initiatives.

In our efforts to interact with residents living near our plants, we participated in the "Sainokuni Open Factory 2024" hosted by the Iwatsuki Industrial Complex Cooperative Association in Saitama City in November 2024. We were able to visit other companies' factories and learn about their products.