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Reducing the Environmental Burden

Realizing that its various production activities release substances that have significant environmental impact on the atmosphere and groundwater, the Kobe Steel Group undertakes periodic monitoring and implements a range of countermeasures to reduce its environmental burden. These include ongoing improvements to production processes, upgrading of facilities, installing more efficient, state-of-the-art equipment, and installing equipment to eliminate substances that are harmful to the environment. Group companies will continue in this effort to make their manufacturing activities more environment-friendly.

(Emission data of production facilities is in the section entitled

Emission Data of Production Facilities.)

Measures Combating Atmospheric Pollution

Plants and Works

Sulfur oxides (SOx) generated in production processes have been cut by reducing fuel consumption to save energy and using low sulfur fuels, as well as desulfurization treatment for emissions. At steel works, emissions have been reduced by using iron ore with low sulfur content, and natural gas for fuel, and by installing desulfurization equipment to clean gases emitted by coke ovens and boilers. Emissions of nitric oxides (NOx) are also being reduced with the introduction of low NOx fuel technology and measures to save energy.

During fiscal 2008, efforts were continued to upgrade facilities and switch to low-sulfur fuel to combat atmospheric pollution. Measures were put in place to prevent any possibility of emissions deviating from standards by tightening operating controls when plants are in operation, and also more low-NOx burners and desulfurization equipment were installed.

To control dust at the Kakogawa Works, the capacity of the slag sprinkler equipment was increased and measures were taken to reduce dust from parking lots and open ground.


Amount of Sulfur Oxide Emission (Parent only)

Amount of Sulfur Oxide Emission (Kobe Works)


Amount of Nitric Oxide Emission (Parent only)

Amount of Nitric Oxide Emission (Kobe Works)

*Data for 1990, 1995, 2000 are aggregates of Kakogawa and Kobe works.

Water Pollution Prevention

In the Kobe Steel Group, the water consumption rate is being reduced by improving production processes and using recycled water. Water treatment for wastewater from production processes is managed by using systems best suited to the properties of the discharged water, and various other measures are undertaken to improve water quality. Finally, wastewater is purified through a treatment system to reduce the impact of water polluting substances such as COD (chemical oxygen demand) and SS (suspended solids) on public water supplies.

For example, a water recycling system used at the steelworks purifies wastewater from the various production processes and other effluent through a treatment system that combines coagulation-sedimentation, sand filtration, membrane treatment, and biological treatment, for reuse on site. At the Kakogawa Works about 96% of the water is recycled.

Also, Shinko Kobe Power Inc. discharges wastewater after thorough cleaning at a comprehensive water treatment plant that provides not only coagulation-sedimentation, filtration and neutralization, but also advanced wastewater treatments such as denitrification and COD absorption. Shinko Kobe Power also uses an eco-friendly seawater-intake/discharge system.

Comprehensive water treatment plant (Shinko Kobe Power Inc.)


Wastewater Reduction Efforts at Kakogawa Works (FY2008)

Wastewater Reduction Efforts at Kakogawa Works (FY2008)

Noise Reduction

Measures to reduce noise from facilities are ongoing, based on surveys of the effects of plant noise on neighboring areas and information obtained from local residents. A diverse range of measures are undertaken to block or absorb noise, including enclosing noise-generating equipment such as fans, compressors and crushers in buildings, and installing soundproof walls and vibration-proof padding. Efforts are also made to limit noise generation by maintaining all machinery in good working order.

Soundproof walls (Hanshin Yosetu Kizai Co., Ltd.)

Odor Reduction

Measures are taken to control odors generated at works and plants based on periodic monitoring and information obtained from local residents.

Preventing Ground Contamination

Ground contamination is prevented by strict observance of the Water Pollution Control Law and other regulations and by proper controls of hazardous materials at all plants and works. At times of land transactions and when required at plants or works, voluntary soil surveys are carried out in line with the Soil Contamination Control Law.