Promotion of Resource Recycling (Waste Reduction) and Raw Materials Usage Reduction

Concept

To make effective use of limited resources, the Kobelco Group implements measures to control waste. We add value to by-products created during manufacturing processes, develop and introduce new applications for materials, and actively pursue recycling. The Group also reduces paper consumption by reviewing packaging specifications for products to be shipped for the reuse of packaging/shipping supplies, and by actively promoting digitization and IT adoption in documents used at office work across the entire Group. Additionally, we have set recycling targets for the main forms of waste, and are seeking to improve the recycling rate in order to reduce the final disposal amount.

Management Structure

See below for details about our management structure.

Targets

We actively promote yield improvement and reduction of auxiliary material consumption. We have set the fiscal 2025 target of achieving a recycling rate of 99% for major by-products (slag, dust, and sludge).

Results

The recycling rate of major by-products (slag, dust, and sludge) in fiscal 2022 was 99.2%, exceeding the target.

In fiscal 2022, a total of 4.58 million tons of by-product materials were generated by the Kobelco Group* and the recycling rate was 96%. We will continue to reduce final landfill disposal volume by controlling the amount of by-products produced, increasing recycling, and developing new recycling technologies and offering added value.

  • * The information above covers 99% or more of the amount of waste generated by the Kobelco Group in Japan.

Among this, the recycling rate of major by-products (slag, dust, and sludge) in fiscal 2022 was 99.2%, achieving the target. We will continue to work on raising the recycling rate of by-products and reducing final disposal amounts in order to achieve these targets.

Amount of By-Products, Recycled Resources, and Landfill Disposal over the Past Three Years (including domestic Group companies)1

  Fiscal 2020 Fiscal 2021 Fiscal 2022
Amount of by-products (t) 3,188,926 4,051,021 4,576,542
Amount of recycled resources (t) 3,021,888 3,901,504 4,441,651
Amount of landfill disposal (t) 135,923 119,932 124,363
Other (volume reduction, t) 31,115 29,585 40,528
By-product recycling rate2 95% 96% 96％
Amount of specially controlled industrial
waste generated		 23,949 21,136 19,597
Amount (rate) of specially controlled industrial waste generated (%)3 0.75% 0.52% 0.43%

Transportation Amount* of Specially Controlled Industrial Waste Disposed of over the Past Three Years (including domestic Group companies)

  Fiscal 2020 Fiscal 2021 Fiscal 2022
Transportation amount of specially controlled
industrial waste (t)		 15,656 16,935 15,333

Main Resources Used at Kobe Steel, Ltd. over the Past Three Years

Main Raw Materials Unit Fiscal 2020 Fiscal 2021 Fiscal 2022
Iron ore 10,000 t 931 1,047 933
Coking coal/coke 10,000 t 492 534 497
Aluminum ingots, copper ingots, etc. 10,000 t 43 49 46
Total 10,000 t 1,466 1,630 1,475

Note: The totals may not match as a result of rounding.

Major Initiatives

Controlling the Generation of Slag and Promoting Recycling

Of the by-products produced, steel slag, which is produced in large amounts, is recycled more than 99% into construction and other materials, thereby contributing to a recycling-oriented society. Most steel slag products are designated as specified procurement items under the Act on Promoting Green Procurement for public work projects as materials that benefit environmental conservation. Going forward, we will continue to expand the applications of steel slag products that contribute to carbon neutrality and biodiversity.

Application Details
セメント原料 Granulated blast furnace slag is pulverized and mixed into ordinary cement as a raw material for cement. This reduces CO2 emissions generated in the cement manufacturing process because the firing process of clinker, an intermediate product of cement, is no longer required.
道路用路盤材 Roadbed material is made by pulverizing/granulating steel slag and ash stone. It has hydraulic properties and provides strong support. The roadbed material can contribute to conservation of the natural environment by being utilized as a substitute for natural resources.
地盤改良材 By replacing cement stabilizers with steel slag, it is possible to build a robust ground base at low cost, contributing to national resilience and reducing CO2 emissions during material manufacturing.
鉄鋼スラグ人工石材 Steel slag artificial stone is a form of artificial stone made by solidifying steel slag with cement. Steel slag is expected to make a contribution to absorb and hold CO2 by helping to restore marine resources by providing nutrients in the form of iron and other substances contained within the slag to encourage luxuriant seaweed growth. Steel slag is already being used in submerged bank construction work contracted by the City of Kobe.

Major Initiatives in the Business Divisions (Japan)

Business Divisions Examples of Initiatives to Reduce the Generation of By-Products/Waste and Decrease Landfill Disposal
Steel & Aluminum
  • Reduction of steel slag generation and development of new applications
  • Development of recycling technologies for dust
  • Recycling of arc furnace ash
  • Reuse of aluminum scrap generated in the plant
Welding
  • Recycling sorted waste flux into roadbed material and cement material
  • Reuse of product packaging materials
Advanced Materials
  • Reduction of steel slag generation and development of new applications
  • Reuse of aluminum scrap generated in the plant
  • Reuse of wooden pallets
  • Conversion of coreless furnace dust and soot into recyclable materials
Machinery
  • Reduction of waste wood and waste plastics by reducing the weight of reusable shipping cartons and shock-absorbing materials
Power
  • Recycling of coal ash and gypsum, which is a by-product of flue gas desulfurization equipment
  • Study on facilities underway to utilize sewage sludge fuel

Initiatives at Overseas Group Companies

Company Name Examples of Initiatives to Reduce the Generation of Waste and Decrease Landfill Disposal
Kobelco Spring Wire (Foshan) Co., Ltd. (KSW) Reuse of lubricants
Kobelco Automotive Aluminum Rolled Products (China) Co., Ltd. Reuse of pallets used to transport products
Kobelco Aluminum Products and Extrusions, Inc. (KPEX) Recycling of wooden pallets and sales of recyclable materials made of aluminum scrap
Thai Kobelco Welding Co., Ltd. (TKW) Reuse of packaging materials and pallets
Kobelco MIG Wire (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (KMWT) Reuse of packaging materials and pallets
Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products (China) Co., Ltd. (KAAP-C) Reuse of aluminum scraps, etc., and conversion of packaging materials, resin pallets, hydraulic oil/ lubricant into recyclable materials
Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products, LLC (KAAP) Reuse of aluminum balls for shot blasting and caustic soda

Initiatives to Control Waste Generation and Recycling in Collaboration with Outside Entities

Initiative Details
Initiatives to effectively use underutilized energy in local communities:
From conversion of sewage sludge to fuel to hydrogen production and supply
  • Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd., which has wastewater sludge treatment technology, and Kobelco Power Kobe Inc. (the Kobe Power Plant), which operates coal-fired power plants, plan to turn wastewater sludge into fuel and use it as wastewater biomass fuel at the power plant. (using wastewater sludge biomass is an appropriate method for the pulverized coal-fired power generation business.)
  • We plan to use wastewater sludge biomass fuel as a portion of the fuel for generating electric power to produce hydrogen, which will be supplied to fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs). This initiative will contribute to the spread of FCVs, reduction of CO2 emissions in local communities, and improvement in air quality.

    • For more information, please see the following:
Study group for expanding usage of steel slag
  • In a study group established by Hyogo Prefecture (Hyogo Eco-Town Promotion Council), we are conducting research to expand the use of steel slag in industrygovernment-academia collaboration/cooperation. The KOBELCO Group participates as a member of the following research working group.
  • The Construction Method for Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group aims for the practical utilization of a low-cost and effective reinforcement method for old road fill, whose aseismatic performance is decreased. Working toward actual use of fill mixed with steel slag, we are conducting aseismatic reinforcement tests using it.

    • For more information, please see the following:
Demonstration project for gasification and methanolization of waste plastics
  • The demonstration project for gasification and methanolization of waste plastics proposed by five companies, including Kobelco Eco-Solutions Co., Ltd., Daiei Kankyo Co., Ltd., DINS Kansai Co., Ltd., MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC., and Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha, Ltd., was selected for funding by the Ministry of the Environment’s “FY2022 Subsidy for Carbon Dioxide Emission Control Measures Project Costs: Demonstration Project for Construction of Resource Circulation Systems for Plastics and Other Technologies to Support a Decarbonized Society.” This project was the first of its kind in Japan selected. The need to establish plastics recycling methods is rapidly increasing from the viewpoint of environmental protection, especially in terms of marine plastics, which has become a social problem around the world. This demonstration project aims to build a resource recycling system through chemical recycling of previously discarded plastics.

    • For more information, please see the following:

Initiatives to Control and Recycle Industrial Waste Containing Plastic Products

Based on the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics, we have set a goal of “strive to recycle target waste as much as possible (target: recycling rate of 80%).” We are aiming to achieve this by reducing the emission of used plastic products and industrial waste and outsourcing disposal to treatment companies that perform recycling and heat recovery. The recycling rate in fiscal 2022 was 79.6%. We will continue with our initiatives to control waste generation and recycling.

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