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Global Risk Management Activities

We ensure that environmental management systems at premises the world over are implemented to the same standards as in Japan.

 

We rigorously implement environmental management at all premises operated by Kobe Steel Group companies the world over. Our aim is to establish environmental management systems that are held to the same standards as those in Japan on a global, Group-wide basis.


Onsite environmental audits at Group companies in China

Just like at our domestic sites and Group companies, we are looking to establish environmental management systems in line with those in Japan at all overseas Kobe Steel Group companies in the future. As part of our efforts to achieve this goal, we conduct onsite environmental audits at overseas Group companies.

During fiscal 2009, we conducted onsite audits at eight Group company sites operating as production bases in China to ascertain levels of environmental management and identify any problem areas. We then took corrective action as necessary based on the results.
An onsite meeting (Tangshan, China)
Onsite meeting in Tangshan, China

An onsite audit (Chengdu, China)
Onsite audit in Chengdu, China

Initiatives in the United States

Kobe Steel USA Inc. (KSU), which oversees Kobe Steel Group operations in the United States, holds an Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Meeting in New York in November each year. The meeting includes reports on initiatives at individual companies and presentations from experts. In 2009, the EHS Meeting took place over the course of two days on November 19 and 20.

In terms of specific initiatives in the United States, Kentucky-based aluminum forged parts manufacturer Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products has reduced consumption of caustic soda, which is used to wash products, by 75% by cleaning tanks on a regular basis so as to extend the fluid replacement cycle. Kobe Wieland Copper Products (KWCP) meanwhile, which manufactures copper tube in North Carolina, installed treatment facilities for cast cooling water in October 2009.

We also implement numerous other initiatives at individual Group companies wherever possible, including switching to energy saving light bulbs, turning off lighting when not in use and installing recycling stations.
The annual EHS Meeting
The annual EHS Meeting

Water treatment facilities at KWCP
Water treatment facilities at KWCP

Topics
Chinese group company commended for its efforts as an advanced environmental company

In April 2010, the Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone Management Committee presented Hangzhou Kobelco Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. with a commendation for its efforts as an advanced company in terms of ecological facilities and environmental preservation during fiscal 2009.

In addition to compliance with environmental legislation, the commendation is in recognition of the fact that Hangzhou Kobelco Construction Machinery has obtained clean production system certification and has actively assisted with national pollution studies. Hangzhou Kobelco Construction Machinery was chosen as one of just ten advanced establishments out of approximately 1,000 foreign affiliated companies, Chinese companies, schools, public institutions and other organizations based in the Hangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone.
Hangzhou Kobelco Construction Machinery


Hangzhou Kobelco Construction Machinery