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 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%.
Location | Point of discharge | Item | Target | FY 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kobe Steel Ltd,. and domestic group companies (10 locations)*1 |
Public waters | Water discharge total | - | 2,598,130,000m3 |
COD | 474t | 243t | ||
Nitrogen | 2,513t | 1,915t | ||
Phosphorus | 23t | 3t | ||
Substances Subject to PRTR Reporting | - | 51t |
*1: The wastewater from the ten locations (located in area which has total pollution load regulations) included accounts for more than 99% of whole the KOBELCO group.
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:
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.
Steelworks Influence Value (Kakogawa Shinko Building)
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.
Fig. Transition of Recycling rate (Kobe Steel Ltd.)
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)
FY 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2020*1 | |
---|---|---|---|
Amount of byproducts | 4,508,559t | 4,118,779t | 3,188,926t |
Amount of recycled resources | 4,268,090t | 3,912,532t | 3,021,888t |
Amount of landfill disposal | 160,561t | 180,808t | 135,923t |
Other (volume reduction, etc.) | 79,908t | 25,439t | 31,155t |
By-products recycling rate*2 | 96% | 95% | 95% |
Percentage hazardous*3 | 0.46% | 0.53% | 0.75% |
*1 The data above covers 99% of the environmental impact of the KOBELCO Group in Japan.
*2 By-products (total) recycling rate = amount of recycled resources/amount of by-products object to treatment
*3 Percentage hazardous = amount of special controlled industrial waste generation/amount of by-products generation
FY 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | |
---|---|---|---|
Amount of hazardous waste* | 598t | 652t | 588t |
* Amount of hazardous waste: Transfer and release of substances subject to PRTR reporting outside the premises
Main raw materials | Iron ore | FY 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2020*1 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Iron ore | 1,000 t | 10,370 | 10,380 | 9,310 |
Coking coal / coke | 1,000 t | 5,650 | 536 | 492 |
Aluminum ingots, copper ingots, etc. | 1,000 t | 470 | 430 | 430 |
Total | 1,000 t | 16,490 | 16,170 | 14,650 |
取組み | 詳細 |
---|---|
Joint Business for Recycling Steel Mill Dust into Direct Reduced Iron |
For more information, please see the following: |
Initiatives to Effectively Use Underutilized Energy in Local Communities —from turning wastewater sludge into fuel to producing and supplying hydrogen— |
For more information, please see the following: |
鉄鋼スラグの利用拡大研究会 |
For more information, please see the following: |
Business division | Examples of initiatives to reduce the generation of byproducts/waste and decrease landfill disposal |
---|---|
Iron & Steel | Reduced generation of iron and steel slag, developed new applications Developed recycling technologies for dusts |
Welding | Recycled sorted waste flux into roadbed material and cement raw material Reusable product packaging materials |
Aluminum & Copper | Recycled arc furnace ash Reused aluminum scrap generated in the plant |
Machinery | Reused shipping boxes by strengthening packaging materials |
Electric Power | Recycled gypsum byproducts from coal ash and flue gas desulfurization equipment Testing for utilization of sewage sludge fuel |
Company name | Examples of initiatives to reduce the generation of waste and decrease landfill disposal |
---|---|
Kobelco Spring Wire (Foshan) Co., Ltd. | Reused lubricants and sand |
Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products, LLC | Recycled caustic soda and shot blast |
Kobelco Aluminum Products & Extrusions Inc. | Recycled caustic soda and waste oil |
Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube (Thailand) Co., Ltd. | Reused copper scrap |
Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube (M) Sdn. Bhd. | Reused waste kerosene |
Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products (China) Co., Ltd. | Reused machining scraps |
Hangzhou Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. | Reduced waste by compressing waste paint |
Kobelco Construction Machinery (China) Co., Ltd. | Sludge volume reduction by compressing and drying |
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.
*1 Law Concerning Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR): Act on Confirmation, etc., of Release Amounts of Specific Chemical Substances in the Environment and Promotion of Improvements to the Management Thereof
*2 Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc.
*3 Act on Special Measures concerning Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Wastes
*4 Act on Rational Use and Appropriate Management of Fluorocarbons
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.
FY 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | |
---|---|---|---|
Substances subject to reporting | 49 | 48 | 46 |
Air emissions | 640t | 581t | 470t |
Releases to public water bodies | 63t | 64t | 57t |
Drainage | 0.5t | 0.5t | 0.3t |
Transfers outside the premises (waste) | 598t | 652t | 588t |
* The data above covers99% of the environmental impact of the KOBELCO Group in Japan.
* Detail of result in fiscal 2020 is below:
Annual Transfer and Release of Substances Subject to PRTR Reporting Over the Past Three Years
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 634 | 577 | 469 | |
Other Hazardous Substances | Lead | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Manganese and its Conpounds | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
* Calculated for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) relevant to the KOBELCO Group, out of those specified as Class 1 Designated Chemical Substances in Appended Table 1 of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Law Concerning Pollutant Release and Transfer Resister
* The data above covers99% of the environmental impact of the KOBELCO Group in Japan.
Production facility / company name | Location | Activities |
---|---|---|
Nippon Koshuha Steel Co.,Ltd. Toyama Works |
Imizu, Toyama Prefecture | Reduce VOCs by changing detergent to alkaline degreasing at washing Process |
Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd | Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture | Reduce VOCs by changing paint to environmental-friendly products |