Environment

Water Conservation

Our production activities comply with the standards stipulated in the Water Pollution Control Act as well as the criteria in agreements with local governments.
In fiscal 2022, Kaneka Group consumed 34.1 million m³ of water and discharged 29.2 million m³ of water. We monitor the amount of water intake and strive to use water efficiently.
Also in fiscal 2022, we conducted water risk assessments for each Kaneka Group site and the bases of Group companies in Japan and overseas. We use an assessment tool (Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas) to identify areas with high water stress and, based on the proportion of water intake from water-stressed areas to total water intake, have confirmed that Kaneka Group as a whole does not face high water risks. Going forward, we will expand the scope of the assessment targets in terms of geographical location and time, and prioritize and implement measures based on results of the assessment.
In terms of preventing water pollution, Kaneka’s COD, nitrogen, SS, and phosphorus emissions decreased. At Group companies in Japan, emissions of COD, SS, and nitrogen increased. At overseas Group companies, emissions of COD, nitrogen, and phosphorus decreased, while SS emissions increased. We will continue to maintain and improve the quality of water discharged into public waterways.

Water Consumption (*2)

Wastewater Discharges (*2)

Chemical Oxygen Demand in Wastewater (*2)

Nitrogen in Wastewater (*2)

Phosphorous in Wastewater (*2)

Suspended Solids in Wastewater (*2)

*2 Our water consumption and wastewater volume include those generated from non-manufacturing facilities other than the plant department.

*3 Starting from the fiscal 2021 results, domestic group companies are subject to third-party assurance. A review of fiscal 2020 data revealed input errors, etc. The actual values for fiscal 2020 have therefore been revised.

*4 Seawater consumption at some manufacturing sites in Japan was included in totals starting in fiscal 2021. Such consumption was previously not included, as measuring instruments were not set. Note that this seawater had already been included in wastewater discharges since previous years.

Kaneka Emissions into Bodies of Water

Volatile Organic Compounds Emission Reductions

We are committed to reducing the emission of VOCs (*5), which are known to cause photochemical smog. In fiscal 2015, we at Kaneka set the goal of controlling VOC emissions to below 1,800 tons.
In fiscal 2022, total emissions were 1,821 tons, a decrease of 4.4% from the previous fiscal year, but we did not achieve our target. VOC emissions are significantly affected by the composition of production volume and product mix. For acetone, which accounts for 47% of VOC emissions, we are working to improve the recovery rate by increasing refrigeration capacity through refrigeration equipment upgrades. We will continue our efforts to manage and reduce VOC emissions.

*5 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic chemical substances that cause suspended particulate matter and photochemical oxidants.

VOC Emissions (Kaneka)

Hazardous Atmospheric Pollutants

Kaneka is voluntarily aiming to reduce emissions of hazardous atmospheric pollutants (shown by manufacturing site in the following graphs). Total emissions of these six pollutants in fiscal 2022 were 24.1 tons, which represented a year-on‒year decrease of 11.2%. The decrease was due to lower volume handled because of lower production. At the Takasago Manufacturing Site, we are working to strengthen facility management to curb emissions of these hazardous air pollutants. We will continue to make efforts to control total emissions to reduce environmental impact.

Chloroethylene Emissions

1,2-Dichloroethane Emissions

Chloroform Emissions

Acrylonitrile Emissions

1,3-Butadiene Emissions

Dichloromethane Emissions

*6 A review of the data revealed input errors, etc. The values have therefore been revised.