Environment

Air Emissions

Policy

Policy (our fundamental view)

The NOF Group actively carries out initiatives to prevent air pollution in accordance with the Management Policy Regarding Responsible Care.
 

  1. We manage atmospheric emissions generated from operations and comply with laws and regulations.
  2. We set targets and continuously pursue technical improvements to reduce atmospheric emissions.
  3. We take into account the impact on local communities and strive to minimize environmental burdens.
     


Basis for Policy
Policy 1:Manufacturing Business Guideline 8
“To reduce environmental impact, we comply with relevant laws and regulations, and establish management systems for atmospheric emissions, discharges to sewage treatment plants, rivers, and oceans, as well as for industrial waste and other outputs associated with operations.”
Policy 2:Manufacturing Business Guideline 8
“We set targets for reducing emissions as well as for minimization, volume reduction, recovery, treatment, and improved sorting of industrial waste, and will continue to make technical improvements.”
Policy 3:Manufacturing Business Guideline 7
“We pay due attention to the concerns of local residents regarding relevant product manufacturing, enhance communication with them, and establish systems that can provide appropriate information.”

Prevention of Air Pollution

In accordance with the Management Policy Regarding Responsible Care, the NOF Group measures sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), soot and dust,* and other substances contained in the exhaust gas from boilers and other combustion equipment to prevent air pollution, and manages operations in strict compliance with national and local environmental standards.
We are currently advancing reduction plans, including energy conversion of AFO boilers, which cause SOx emissions, to city gas.
In addition, there have been no cases of violations of laws and regulations related to emissions into the atmosphere.

Changes in exhaust gas monitoring items(Tons / year)
 

Category FY2021 FY2022 FY2023 FY2024
NOF SOx 1.9 2.6 4.9 2.1
NOx 48.0 49.1 52.9 40.6
Soot and dust 1.1 0.9 0.9 0.9
Domestic Group SOx 3.3 4.4 6.5 3.4
NOx 49.6 50.6 54.4 41.1
Soot and dust 1.1 0.9 1.0 0.9
NOF Group SOx 4.6 6.5 8.2 4.7
NOx 55.3 55.4 58.1 45.8
Soot and dust 4.1 4.6 2.6 4.4
Violations of laws and regulations (no.) 0 0 0 0
Out of particulate substances arising from operations in plants and other business establishments, those generated in conjunction with the combustion of fuel or any other substance.

PRTR Act-Controlled Substances

The emissions volume of PRTR Act-controlled substances by the Domestic Group in fiscal 2024 was 135.1 tons, a decrease by about 19% from 167.0 tons in the previous fiscal year. As a result, about 50% 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 emissions volume of 10 tons or more are indicated in the table.

Substances high in volume(10 tons or more) discharged into the environment
 
[Covered organizations:Domestic Group]

 

Cabinet order No. Name Emission volume(tons/year)
186 Dichloromethane 37.4
300 Toluene 29.2
128 Chloromethane 15.4
83 Cumene 15.0
     Total emission volume 135.1

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.

The figures for PRTR substances are in tons per year, and for NOF they were 338 in FY2002, 110.8 in FY2020, 117.4 in FY2021, 109.0 in FY2022, and 129.2, , 99.9 in FY2024 and the domestic group is 371 in FY2002, 146.7 in FY2020, 154.7 in FY2021, 143.3 in FY2022, and 167.0 in FY2023, 135.1 in FY2024.

Changes in emissions of PRTR Act-controlled substances
[Covered organizations:Domestic Group]


This is a diagram showing the balance of substances subject to the PRTR Law, with a total of 21,812 tons handled, 1,265 tons processed on-site, and 134 tons released into the atmosphere, 0 tons released into the soil, 1 tons released into water, 548 tons processed off-site by external contractors, 38 tons recycled, and 19,826 tons used in products.

Balance of emissions of PRTR Act-controlled substances (FY2024)
[Covered organizations:Domestic Group]

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs are substances that contribute to air pollution and photochemical smog. NOF believes that controlling VOC emissions is part of our social responsibility.
We monitor and work to reduce VOC emissions. In fiscal 2024, the total VOC emissions from the Domestic Group amounted to 190 tons.
As part of our environmental protection activities aimed at realizing a sustainable society, NOF positions VOC emission reduction as one of our important issues. We are actively implementing process improvements and introducing new equipment. In addition, through technological innovation and research and development, we are exploring new reduction methods and contributing to the realization of a sustainable society. 
 

VOC emissions  (PRTR-controlled + JCIA-recommended  substances: 303)[Covered organizations:Domestic Group]

  • FY2024:NOF 142.8 tons/year, Domestic Group 189.8 tons/year

VOC substances under JCIA-recommended voluntary control

The Domestic Group also monitors and reduces emissions of VOCs recommended by the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA) as substances for voluntary management. In fiscal 2024, VOC emissions amounted to 56 tons, representing a decrease of about 4% from the previous year’s 58 tons. 

The VOC emissions of the Japan Chemical Industry Association are shown in tons per year. NOF's emissions were 100.8 in FY2020, 102.4 in FY2021, 64.4 in FY2022, 43.0 in FY2023, 43.7 in FY2024, Domestic Group: 2020: 113, 2021: 109, 2022: 79, 2023: 58, 2024: 55.5.

Changes in VOC emissions of substances under JCIA-recommended voluntary control
[Covered organizations:Domestic Group]

Hazardous Air Pollutants

Hazardous air pollutants are chemical substances that may pose risks to human health through long-term exposure even at low concentrations. Based on the list of chemical substances revised in the October 2010 report (9th report) of the Central Environment Council, we are working to monitor and reduce emissions of 15 designated substances.
The Domestic Group’s emissions of these substances in fiscal 2024 amounted to 89 tons. As with VOCs, we position the reduction of emissions as one of our important issues, and we are actively working on process improvements and equipment installation. In addition, through technological innovation and research and development, we are exploring new reduction methods and contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.
 

Emissions of hazardous air pollutants  (15 substances overlapping with VOCs from the 23 priority substances)
[Covered organizations:Domestic Group]

  • FY2024:NOF 56.6 tons/year , Domestic Group 89.1tons/year

Reduction of Fluorocarbon Emissions

In accordance with the Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons (Fluorocarbon Emissions Control Act), which covers the entire life cycle of fluorocarbons from production to disposal, we have been carrying out simple and periodic inspections according to plan, as required by the law.
In fiscal 2024, we estimated leakage of fluorocarbons amounted to 2,118 tons of CO₂e at the Kawasaki Works, 622 tons of CO₂e at the Aichi Works, and 32 tons of CO₂e at the Amagasaki Plant, bringing the total for our company to 2,775 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 equipment to equipment that uses refrigerants with lower global warming and ozone depletion potentials and further reduce fluorocarbon leaks.

Calculated fluorocarbon leaks (FY2024)
 

Works / plants Emission volume (tons of CO₂e)
Amagasaki Plant 32
Aichi Works 622
Kawasaki Works 2,118
Oita Plant 3
Total 2,775

Risks and Opportunities

Risks and opportunities for atmospheric emissions

The NOF Group recognizes both the risks and opportunities related to atmospheric emissions and is implementing measures to address them. In terms of transition risks, tightening domestic and international regulations may lead to higher costs from facility investments and the potential loss of business opportunities if production of existing products is discontinued. Delays in regulatory compliance or in developing eco-friendly products may also damage our reputation among investors, customers, and local communities, posing a risk to the Group’s standing.
Natural disasters such as typhoons or volcanic eruptions could damage facilities, which would directly result in halted production activities and decreased sales.
On the other hand, growing demand for products that help mitigate air pollution presents opportunities for the NOF Group. The development of eco-friendly products such as waterborne anti-corrosion coatings and cement capsules is expected to enhance the Group’s reputation and lead to the acquisition of new market opportunities.

Risks and opportunities for atmospheric emissions
 

Category Major risks and opportunities Overview Countermeasures
Transition risks Tighter domestic and international regulations
  • The introduction of new regulations makes it necessary to enhance facilities and strengthen management systems to comply with the new regulations, which increases the associated management costs
  • New atmospheric emissions regulations make it impossible to manufacture products as they have been through now, resulting in reduced sales due to lost opportunities

①Creation and execution of emission
 reduction measures

  • Capacity expansion of VOC recovery facilities

②Reevaluation of production
 processes

Deterioration of evaluation/reputation
  • Delays in complying with regulations and in developing eco-friendly products damage the company’s evaluation from investors and its reputation among customers and local residents
  • Enhancement of information disclosure on content of initiatives
Physical risks Natural disasters
  • Due to damage to facilities caused by typhoons, heavy rain, and other natural disasters, it becomes difficult to operate recovery facilities, which in turn causes production to stop, resulting in lost opportunities and lost sales
  • Capacity expansion of VOC recovery facilities
  • Damage to equipment due to ash emissions from eruption of Mount Fuji
  • Handling of natural disasters according to the BCP
Opportunities Growing needs for products that contribute to mitigating air pollution

[Mitigation of air pollution]

  • Waterborne anti-corrosion coatings, cement capsules
  • Development and provision of eco-friendly products
Improvement of evaluation and reputation
  • Proactive emission control measures and the development and provision of products that make positive contributions improve the company’s evaluation from investors and its reputation among customers and local residents
  • Enhancement of information disclosure on content of initiatives

Contact