Energy-saving, resource-saving, and reduction of the environmental impacts

Water Resource Conservation

Approach to Water Resource Conservation

12.RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION & PRODUCTION

There are water scarcity areas in the world, and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has predicted that the issue of water scarcity in some regions will become serious by the year 2025.

The Shin-Etsu Group's major manufacturing plants are located where clean water is abundant. However, we recognize that tackling water shortages around the world is an important issue for us to work on. The Group carries out water risk assessments and works proactively study for the technology for the conservation of water resources by reducing water withdrawal, ensuring that water is recycled, and implementing thorough wastewater purification and water quality management.

In addition, we are working to recycle water to the utmost limit, and we also properly treat the water that is finally discharged, comply with regulations concerning water contaminants when discarding water, and check the water quality ourselves for verification.

Initiatives Aimed at Conserving Water Resources

Effective Use of Water Intake and Thorough Water Quality Management (Gunma Complex)

The Shin-Etsu Chemical Gunma Complex manufactures highly functional materials such as silicones. Located inland in the southwest region of Gunma Prefecture, the complex draws almost all of the water required for manufacturing from nearby rivers and purifies the wastewater from the complex before discharging it.

The Gunma complex is situated in a rich natural environment. The Tokyo metropolitan area is downstream from the nearby rivers, which sustain the daily lives of Tokyo residents as well as its industry and agriculture. Although the manufacturing of chemical products requires large quantities of water, the complex strives to conserve valuable water resources by keeping its water intake from these rivers to a minimum. For this reason, the complex reuses as much water as possible in its manufacturing and water cooling processes by recycling and circulating inside the Complex.

Besides purifying the water before returning it to the rivers, rigorous water quality management is also applied. The Complex strives to maintain optimum conditions by continually monitoring the operating status of water treatment facilities and conducts regular water quality analysis of discharged water to verify that it is in strict compliance with high water standards. Furthermore, it separate rainwater to prevent the inflow of rainwater during heavy downpours as a measure to protect their treatment facilities from being damaged by natural disasters. In addition, it have been carrying out seismic strengthening works since 2014 in preparation of large-scale earthquakes.

By effectively utilizing limited water resources, the Gunma complex will continue to fulfill its responsibility as a production base that is located upstream.

For specific examples of initiatives at the Gunma Complex, see Reduction of environmental impact in plants: Gunma Complex.

Rainwater Utilization (Thailand: Asia Silicones Monomer Limited)

Calls are increasing for the protection of the world's water resources, and since its foundation, Asia Silicones Monomer Limited has been making effective use of the abundant rainfall it enjoys in its location in Thailand.

It stores rainwater in storage tanks on-site, using it for industrial water and as coolant for waste gas incinerator. It always maintains a reserve of rainwater for use in firefighting in the event of an emergency. It also supplies Group company Shin-Etsu Silicones (Thailand) and its nearby partners with industrial water using rainwater.

photo: Thailand: Asia Silicones Monomer Limited employee
photo: rainwater storage facility

Metrics and Targets

FY2023

Targets
Reduce water withdrawal in terms of intensity at an average annual rate of 1%.
Reduce water pollutant discharge in terms of intensity at an average annual rate of 1%.
Results
Intensity at the average annual rate from FY2020 to FY2023 was decreased by 17.7% in terms of water withdrawal and increased by 1.6% in terms of BOD emission.
Evaluation
The target was achieved for water withdrawal, not achieved for BOD.

FY2024

Targets
Reduce water withdrawal in terms of intensity at an average annual rate of 1%.
Reduce water pollutant discharge in terms of intensity at an average annual rate of 1%.

In FY2023, the amount of COD emissions was reduced as a result of reducing wastewater at domestic bases that generate COD and increasing wastewater treatment capacity.

Trend of Amount of Water Withdrawn

graph:(Million m3)Industrial Water 34.9, River Water 98.5, Ground Water 22.4, Municipal Water 7.0, Other 1.2

Trend of Amount of Recycled Water

graph: FY2023 Recycling Water Ratio 93.5%, Amount of Water Recycled 2,372(Million m3)

Trend of BOD Emission Volume

graph: FY2023 Emissions 737t

Trend of COD Emission Volume

graph: FY2023 2,790t

Related Data

Aspect Classification Scope Unit FY2021 FY2022 FY2023
Water resource conservation Water use* Consolidated Million m3 2,606 2,618 2,536
Water withdrawals Consolidated Million m3 187 193 164
Water recycle Consolidated Million m3 2,420 2,425 2,372
Water recycle ratio Consolidated % 92.8 92.6 93.5
Water discharge Consolidated Million m3 174 183 161
BOD emission Consolidated t 747 699 737
COD emission Consolidated t 4,941 3,259 2,790

*Water use
Amount of water withdrawals and water recycle