Reduction of Environmental Impacts

As part of its environmental management policies, the KOBELCO Group is committed to environmentally friendly manufacturing. We pursue this commitment on a variety of fronts—including improvements to sustainable manufacturing processes, updates to equipment, introduction of efficient state-of-the-art equipment, and introduction of pollution control equipment—to reduce environmental impact from soot and other sources. We continue these initiatives.

Management structure is below:

• The Basic Environmental Management Policy and Structure

The KOBELCO Group strives to conserve water through such measures as improvements to manufacturing processes and wastewater recycling.

Additionally, by purifying drainage from manufacturing processes using specialized treatment systems, we reduce levels of polluting substances in public water resources.

The KOBELCO group set target that continuing meticulous operational management and facility　management in an effort to reduce environmental impact from air emissions, etc. on Medium-Term Management Plan (fiscal 2021-2023)

In addition, we set target that keeping water recycling rate 95% and over. The result in fiscal 2020 was 96% so that we achieved the target.

We also set targets of water pollution load (COD, total nitrogen and total phosphorus). All of the targets were satisfied.

At each business location, we are recycling water to use again at the site after purifying wastewater from each production process through coagulation sedimentation, sand filtering, etc. In this way, the water recycling rate^*1 reaches approximately 96%.

The KOBELCO group grasps standard related water on each business location and evaluates condition of compliance. Data of discharge including water quality measurement result of each business locations is below:

• Data of Discharge on each business location of the KOBELCO group

The KOBELCO group set target that continuing meticulous operational management and facility　management in an effort to reduce environmental impact from air emissions, etc. on Medium-Term Management Plan (fiscal 2021-2023)

We take measures to limit SOx (sulfur oxide) emissions during　manufacturing processes, such as conserving energy to reduce　fuel consumption, using low-sulfur fuels, and switching to city gas,　while also implementing exhaust-related measures, such as desulfurization.

Likewise, to reduce NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions, we have implemented low NOx combustion technology and energy　saving　measures.

At Kakogawa Works, voluntary targets for dustfall in three neighboring locations have been set at 3 tons/km² /month or less. In fiscal 2020, we met our voluntary targets for all months by implementing conventional initiatives and taking measures such as increasing the number of dust collectors and managing the suppression of dust.

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. Also, the KOBELCO group reduces paper consumption by reusing packaging for shipping products with revising specifications and actively promoting digitization and IT adoption of documents used at office work on whole group.

We actively promote yield improvement and reduction of by-raw-material consumption. Also, we set fiscal 2025 target of recycling rate of major by-products (slag, dust and sludge) as 99%. The result in fiscal 2020 was 98.7%. We make effort to achieve the target.

In fiscal 2020, a total of 3.20 million tons of by-product materials were generated by the KOBELCO Group and the recycling ratio was 95%. We will continue to reduce final landfill disposal volume by controlling the amount of waste produced, increasing recycling, and developing new recycling technologies and adding value.

Amount of byproducts, recycled resources and landfill disposal over the past three years (incl. Group companies in Japan)

In addition to accurately assessing the use, disposal and transfer of chemical substances covered under the PRTR Law^*1 and Chemical Substance Control Law^*2, the KOBELCO Group engages in initiatives to limit the use and output of such substances. Waste electrical equipment containing PCB and equipment using fluorocarbons are stored and managed appropriately in accordance with the PCB Special Measures Law^*3 and the Fluorocarbons Emission Control Law^*4, respectively.

The KOBELCO group set two targets on Medium-Term Management Plan (fiscal 2021-2023) below:

-Making initiatives for appropriate management, reduction and substitution of chemical substances
-Taking appropriate action for Act on Special Measures concerning Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Wastes and Act on Rational Use and Appropriate Management of Fluorocarbons
In fiscal 2020, we completed registration to JESCO for disposal of high concentration PCB waste (transformers, fluorescent light stabilizers, etc.) which is stored at business locations in JESCO northern Kyushu and Osaka business area (disposal period is Mar 2021.) Also, we will complete disposal at business locations in other JESCO business area. About the equipment contains low concentration PCB, we thoroughly investigated in-use equipment and some of them were disposed. In addition, we appropriately took action to Act on Rational Use and Appropriate Management of Fluorocarbons.

Annual Transfer and Release of Substances Subject to PRTR Reporting Over the Past Three Years