Energy-saving, resource-saving, and reduction of environmental impacts
Awareness of Issues
We recognize that specific measures to combat climate change, the efficient use of limited
resources, and the Circular Economy1 are key issues facing companies.
The Group is committed not only to contributing to the global environment, but also to
enhancing our competitiveness and achieving sustainable development through efforts to
conserve energy and effectively use resources and reduce the environmental impact of our
manufacturing processes.
- 1 Circular Economy
Economic activities to recycle and circulate existing resources, such as by converting waste after use into resources for another business
Major Risks and Opportunities
Risks
- ・ Additional costs of tightening greenhouse gas regulations.
- ・ Prices increase and difficulty in procurement of necessary quantities on raw materials.
- ・ Increased water risks, such as water depletion and flooding.
Opportunities
- ・ "Manufacturing power" nurtured by the challenge of continuous technological innovation.
- ・ Strengthen competitiveness by conserving energy and resources, reducing environmental loads, and improving productivity.
- ・ Expansion of demand for products that contribute to the environment.
- ・ Development of technologies that recycle water contributes to business continuity.
Shin-Etsu Group approach
■ Policy
The group will further promote energy conservation and the effective use of resources, and work to resolve a variety of environmental issues for the future of the Earth.
Basic approach
- ・Promoting the Reduction of Environmental Impact
- ・Response to Climate Change
- ・Water Resource Conservation, Water Pollutant Elimination
- ・Waste Reduction
- ・Resource recycling
- ・Conservation of Biodiversity Initiatives
- ・Pollutant Countermeasures
Activity highlights
Item | Priority Issues (Target) | Implementation Status for Fiscal 2019 | Evaluation | Planned Implementation Items for Fiscal 2020 |
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Management System | 1. Continuous improvement and implementation of the environmental management system |
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2. Qualitative improvement of environmental safety audits |
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Environmental conservation | 1. Zero environmental accidents |
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2. Thorough environmental management |
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3. Promotion of energy savings (Reduce energy consumption by an average annual rate of 1% per unit production) |
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4. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Intensity reduction to 54% of 1990 level by fiscal 2025) |
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5. Reduce waste (Achieve zero waste emissions (waste to landfill ratio to 1% or less)) |
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6. Reduced emissions of substances causing water pollution or air pollution (Reduction in intensity at annualized rate of 1%) |
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7. Reduction in water withdrawals (Reduction in intensity at an annualized rate of 1%) |
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Chemical substance management | 1. Thorough new chemical substance management |
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2. Compliance with legal and other requirements for chemical substance control |
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3. Information disclosure on the harmfulness of chemical substances |
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- 1BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand)
Biochemical oxygen consumption. The amount of oxygen required when decomposing contaminants in the water by microorganisms. This indicates the degree of water pollution. - 2Chemical Substances Control Law
Short for the “Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc.” A law intended to prevent environmental pollution by chemical substances that can be harmful to human health or to ecosystems. - 3PRTR Law
Short for the “Act on Confirmation, etc. of Release Amounts of Specific Chemical Substances in the Environment and Promotion of Improvements to the Management Thereof.” A law intended to promote improved self-directed control of chemical substances by business operators, in order to prevent the risk of damage to the environment.
- * Intensity unit
A measure calculated from the production volume of a reference product - * Average annual rate for implementation
Average annual reduction rate from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2019
* Evaluation standards
◎: Goal achieved ○: Goal basically
achieved △: 50% achieved ×: Far from achieve
Performance and Outcome
Shin-Etsu Group Key Sustainability Issues
- The foundation of all activitieslegal compliance, fair corporate activities
- Employees and contractors health and safety
- Energy-saving, resource-saving, and reduction of the environmental impact
- Product quality improvements and product safety control
- Promoting CSR procurement and the diversification of supply sources
- Respect for human rights, the development of human resources, and the promotion of diversity
- Respect for and protection of intellectual property
- Contribution to industry and social initiatives
- Accurate and timely information disclosure
and communication with stakeholders