Management and Reduction of Environmental Impacts (PRTR)
PRTR Act-controlled substances*
The emissions volume of PRTR Act-controlled substances by the Domestic Group in fiscal 2023 was 167.0 tons, an increase by about 17% from 143.3 tons in the previous fiscal year. As a result, 38% reduction of emissions volume was achieved from the 269 tons in fiscal 2010, the reference year of the Mid-term Target.
PRTR Act-controlled substances with an emission volume of 10 tons or more in fiscal 2023 are indicated in the table.
*Act on Confirmation, etc. of Release Amounts of Specific Chemical Substances in the Environment and Promotion of Improvements to the Management Thereof. In this report, the Act on Confirmation, etc. of Release Amounts of Specific Chemical Substances in the Environment and Promotion of Improvements to the Management Thereof is referred to as the PRTR Act
| Cabinet order No. | Name of substance | Emission volume (tons/year) |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | Toluene | 42.8 |
| 186 | Dichloromethane | 38.3 |
| 392 | Normal hexane | 19.8 |
| 128 | Chloromethane | 15.5 |
| 83 | Cumene | 15.0 |
| Total emission volume | 167.0 | |
Measures to reduce emissions of PRTR Act-controlled substances
NOF has set a KPI of reducing emissions of PRTR Act-controlled substances to 170 tons or less each year. In particular, we are examining manufacturing methods in which PRTR Act-controlled substances are not used in order to reduce the amount of substances with high environmental emissions. We aim to reduce emissions through the adoption of alternative substances and environmentally friendly manufacturing methods.
In addition, the operating conditions of recovery equipment are optimized to improve the recovery rate of emissions. Regular maintenance and proper operation and management ensure effective recovery and lead to reduced emissions.
NOF will continue its efforts to reduce emissions of PRTR Act-controlled substances and promote more environmentally friendly manufacturing activities. In this way, we will contribute to the achievement of a sustainable society and work to protect the global environment.
Reducing emissions of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
In accordance with the Act on Rational Use and Appropriate Management of Fluorocarbons (Act on Fluorocarbons Emissions Control), which covers the entire life cycle of CRCs from production to disposal, we have been carrying out simple and periodic inspections according to plan, as required by the law.
In fiscal year 2023, we estimated leakage of CFCs amounted to 392 tons of CO2e at the Oita Plant, 341 tons of CO2e at the Kawasaki Works, and 305 tons of CO2e at the Aichi Works, bringing the total for our company to 1,097 tons of CO2e.
We will continue to strengthen inspections and maintenance, and ensure proper disposal of equipment. We will also promote the replacement of existing systems with ones that use refrigerants with lower global warming and ozone depletion potentials and further reduce CFCs emissions
| Business location | Emission volume（tons-CO2e） |
|---|---|
| Amgasaki Plant | 60 |
| Aichi Works | 305 |
| Kawasaki Works | 341 |
| Oita Plant | 392 |
| total | 1,097 |
Balance of emissions of PRTR Act-controlled substances in fiscal 2023
【Domestic Group】
Substances under JCIA-recommended voluntary control
The Domestic Group is also engaged in initiatives to assess and reduce emissions of VOC substances recommended by the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA). The total quantity of such substances emitted in fiscal 2023 was 58 tons, a decrease of about 27% from the previous fiscal year’s quantity of 79 tons.
