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Proper Control of Chemical Substances

The Kobe Steel Group is implementing tight controls on chemical substances, reducing the quantities of hazardous materials used, and substituting safer alternatives. In line with international trends in the control of hazardous and other chemical substances, we are continuing efforts to reduce hazardous substances, ensuring full compliance with regulations, and sharing information among all members of the Group.

Thorough Control of Chemical Substances
Kobe Steel set up the Kobe Steel Group Policy on Controlling Hazardous Substances and strives for thorough control of chemical substances.

For example, a Management Sheet for Designated Chemical Substances is used in all workplaces. This Sheet sets out usage and control methods for each substance, and enables quantities transferred or released to be calculated accurately for notification in accordance with the PRTR Law. It is also utilized in our efforts to reduce quantities consumed and limit emissions. All Group companies use the Management Sheet for chemical substance control.

Notifications for fiscal 2008 under the PRTR Law showed that 32 substances were handled at Kobe Steel works and plants, 295 metric tons were released, and 471 metric tons were transferred. For Group companies, 34 substances were handled, 611 metric tons were released, and 529 metric tons were transferred.

*PRTR Law: Pollutant Release and Transfer Register: Legislation that requires notification of releases of designated chemical substances into the environment and promotes improved controls.

Meeting Regulations on Chemical Substances
After targets for long-term control of chemical substances were agreed at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), moves to strengthen regulations have been enacted all round the world. In Europe, new regulations on the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals (REACH) came into force on June 1 2007.

To comply with all relevant legislation, the Kobe Steel Group is encouraging information sharing among relevant departments and exchanges of views. To meet REACH regulations provisional registration has been made of chemicals in goods exported to Europe.

*REACH regulations: Registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals

Control of PCBs
In accordance with government regulations on the proper handling of wastes containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), equipment such as transformers and condensers that contain PCBs are placed in special storage facilities when no longer used, with notification made to government authorities.

In 2008, Kobe Steel commissioned the Japan Environmental Safety Corporation (JESCO) to dispose of discarded equipment containing PCBs at the Ibaraki plant in Osaka. Other plants are expected to follow suit during 2009.

Asbestos

Appropriate replacement of asbestos is proceeding in accordance with the lndustrial Safety and Health Law and guidelines on waste disposal from the Ministry of the Environment.

All emergency renovations to buildings to eliminate asbestos that can circulate in the air have been completed. Sprayed and pasted materials, which might release asbestos into the air, are currently the subject of a program of countermeasures. Building materials as well as facilities and equipment that contain asbestos of the type that does not circulate in the air are also now being removed or replaced.

Appropriate handling and disposal of asbestos, including keeping logs and labeling is in progress at all locations.

Examples of Measures Taken by Group Companies
Group companies are working towards tighter control and reduction of chemical substances.

Group company Location Details
Kobe Special Tubes Co., Ltd. Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Hydrofluoric acid and similar substances used once are re-used for other processes, to reduce the overall quantity consumed.
Kansai Coke and Chemicals Co., Ltd. Kakogawa, Hyogo Measures to cut benzene released at Kakogawa Plant: 1) annual program extended for coke oven door. 2) measures introduced to reduce vapor emissions from tanks and when coal tar is loaded on ships.
Kobelco Research Institute, Inc. Kobe, Hyogo Activated charcoal absorbent layer added to exhaust line of draft chamber for organic solvents, to reduce VOCs in gas emissions.
Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. Ogaki, Gifu 2008 project to improve quality of coating in order to eliminate need for re-coating and reduce quantity of solvents used.
Hazardous Substance Control: Annual Transfers and Releases of PRTR-Controlled Substances (FY2008)
Unit: kg (for dioxins: mg-TEG)
Goverment
ordinance
No.		 Substance Kobe Steel Group companies
Release Transfer Number
of
locations		 Release Transfer Number
of
locations
1 Water-soluble salts of zinc 5,300 0 2 700 36,000 4
16 2-aminoethanol 0 0 1 - - -
26 Asbestos - - - 0 7,800 1
30 Bisphenol-A epoxy resin (liquid) - - - 0 0 1
40 Ethylbenzene 2,600 160 3 78,000 6,300 8
43 Ethylene glycol - - - 54,000 170 2
59 p-octyl phenol - - - 0 0.7 1
63 Xylene 110,000 2,500 8 220,000 4,300 14
64 Silver and silver compounds - - - 0 91 2
66 Glutaraldehyde 0 0 1 - - -
68 Chrome and trivalent chrome compounds 65 58,000 5 150 71,000 8
69 Hexavalent chrome compounds 0 600 3 0 0 1
99 Vanadium pentoxide 18 10,000 1 - - -
100 Cobalt and cobalt compounds 0 200 1 0 0 1
101 Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate - - - 5,300 0 1
108 Inorganic cyanide compounds (except complex salt and cyanic acid) - - - 0 1,300 2
132 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoromethane 1,700 0 1 - - -
145 Methylene chloride 70,000 600 2 20,000 990  
177 Styrene - - - 170 0 1
179 Dioxins 690 6.5 5 420 0 2
198 Hexamethylenetetramine 0 0 1 0 46 2
200 Tetrachloroethylene - - - 8,800 340 2
207 Water-soluble salts of copper 700 0 1 0 13 1
211 Trichloroethylene - - - 1,700 0 2
224 1, 3, 5-trimethylbenzene 2,800 2,300 3 9,900 1,200 4
227 Toluene 68,000 2,100 4 180,000 16,000 12
230 Lead and lead compounds 37 750 2 7 6,900 6
231 Nickel 3 1,000 5 0 540 4
232 Nickel compounds 230 5,900 4 160.0 28,000 3
243 Barium chloride - - - 110 1,200 1
244 Picramic acid - - - 0 0 1
253 Hydrazine 420 0 1 0 0 1
266 Phenol 0 2,400 1 9,100 60 2
283 Hydrogen fluoride and its water-soluble salts 20,000 6,600 4 14,000 250,000 6
299 Benzene 11 0 1 5,000 0 1
304 Boron and boron compounds 1,400 2,700 4 100 860 4
307 Poly (oxyethylene) alkyl ether 5,000 10 1 - - -
308 Poly (oxyethylene) oktylphenyl ether 25 2,500 1 - - -
309 Polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether 340 1,900 3 - - -
310 Formaldehyde 0 0 1 - - -
311 Manganese and manganese compounds 3,800 350,000 7 3,400 52,000 9
345 Mercaptoacetic acid 0 0 1 - - -
346 Molybdenum and molybdenum compounds 2,200 21,000 5 510 5,400 4
353 Phosphoric acid tris (dimethylphenyl) 0 0 2 - - -
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