Clean Factories - Chemical Substance Management at Factories

• Definition of Key Reduction-Target Substances (368 substances)

In fiscal 2007, 368 substances were selected as our Key Reduction-target Substances that have a particular impact on the environment (substances whose amounts released/ transferred are significant and substances that contribute to air pollution and global warming). We set new targets to reduce their release/transfer on a global basis by 10% below 2006 levels by fiscal 2011. The substances other than Key Reduction-target Substances will be managed in a conventional manner, based on the definitions in the Rank Guidelines. In fiscal 2007, we reduced the use of such substances through the development of new production technologies and a review of manufacturing processes. This resulted in the reduction of the amounts released/transferred. To reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) whose amounts released/transferred are particularly large among the Key Reduction-target Substances, we replaced solvent-based materials with water-based materials wherever possible, and switched solvent coating to powder coating. However, due to the increase in its use as a result of production growth, the amount released/transferred in fiscal 2007 increased by 0.9% from the previous year. Based on our Three-Year Chemical Substances Reduction Plan, we will step up our efforts to reduce the use of chemicals by formulating and implementing site-specific plans.

[Related Data File]

• Management of chemical substances according to three ranks
• Breakdown of release/transfer of Key Reduction-target Substances
• Breakdown of substances requiring management
• (Japan)Reduction of chemicals use in production facility improvement
• (Japan)Reduction in the use of solvents and waste reduction by improving the manufacturing process