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Kurita Water Industries Ltd.Nakano Central Park East, 10-1, Nakano 4-chome, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-0001, Japan
Contact:Business Process Reengineering Department, Corporate Planning DivisionTel.: 81 (3) 6743-5009 Fax: 81 (3) 3319-2037For details of the Kurita Group’s environmental initiatives,
please visit our website:
http://www.kurita.co.jp/english/Easy-to-read universal design fonts
are used in this report.
Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016For the Year Ended March 31, 2016
KURITA GROUP
2016ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016For the Year Ended March 31, 2016
KURITA GROUP
2016ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
Purpose of PublicationWe have published this report to help our stakeholders have a deeper understanding of the Kurita Group’s environmental improvement activities. In the report, we disclose examples and results of our activities in line with the three aspects of technological innovation, customer needs and internal change and based on our Basic Environmental Improvement Policy. In creating this report, we referred to the Environmental Reporting Guidelines 2012 of the Japanese Ministry of the Environment. All of the product names listed in this report a reregistered trademarks or trademarks of the Kurita Group or other companies.
Organizations covered:Kurita Water Industries Ltd. and other domestic and overseas Kurita Group companiesCompany and other names are correct as of March 31, 2016.
Period covered:Fiscal 2016 (April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016).The report also mentions some policies and targets set for April 2016 onwards.
Guidelines referred to:Environmental Reporting Guidelines 2012 (Ministry of the Environment)
—Approach to Environmental Improvement Activities—
The Kurita Group has adopted the Basic Environmental Improvement Policy
and Activity Guidelines based on its Corporate Philosophy.
INDEX
Information ......................................................................... 1
• Approach to Environmental Improvement Activities .......... 1
• Three Aspects of Environmental Improvement Activities ... 2
• Targets ............................................................................. 2
An interview with the President ........................................... 3
Environmental Benefits for Customers for FY 2016 ............. 5
Technological Innovation ..................................................... 7
Customer Needs ................................................................ 9
Internal Change ................................................................ 17
Initiatives in Environmental Improvement Activities Overseas ... 19
Communication ................................................................ 20
Company Information ....................................................... 21
Third-Party Opinion .......................................................... 22For further details, visit:
http://www.kurita.co.jp/environment/index.html
Editorial Policy
Activity Guidelines
In conducting daily business activities, we will reduce environmental impact through operational improvement and innovation.
3
We will work with customers to improve the environment by providing products, technologies, and services that boost productivity, reduce environmental impact and offer innovative energy solutions.
2
We will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by developing new products and technologies conducive to environmental improvement.
1
CorporatePhilosophy
Study the properties of water, master them,
and we will create an environment in which
nature and man are in harmony.
BasicEnvironmentalImprovement
Policy
The Kurita Group will conduct business
activities based on its corporate philosophy
and will endeavor to solve water and
environmental issues with the aim of making
broad contributions to society.
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 20161 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 2
Reduction of CO2 emissionsReduction of waste and water pollutants
Reduction of environmentally harmful substances
Results and Examples of Activities in Fiscal Year Ended March 2016Targets for Fiscal Year Ending March 2017
Energy creationImproved productivityReduction of environmental footprint☞See page 9
☞See page 7 ☞See page 17
The KuritaGroup’s
environmentalimprovement
activities
We pursue environmental improvement activities in three aspects: technological innovation,
customer needs and internal change.
—Three Aspects of Environmental Improvement Activities—
* The reference to one domed baseball stadium specifically envisions Tokyo Dome. On the assumption that Tokyo Dome has a capacity of 1.24 million m3, it is equivalent to 2,430 tons-CO2 given that CO2 weights 1.96 kg per cubic meter.
* On the assumption that the specific gravity of waste is 1.1, 1.36 million tons of waste is equivalent to the full capacity of one domed baseball stadium.
2014 2015 2016
(FY)
150
50
0
10058
4361
100
2014 2015 2016
6.0
2.0
0
4.0
1.2 1.42.3
5.0
2021(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)
(FY)2021201620152014 201620152014
160
40
80
0
120
160
40
80
0
12082 90
103
150
68 76 84
136
Equivalent to422 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent to600 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent to60% of the fullcapacity of onedomed baseball
stadium
Equivalent tothe full capacityof one domed
baseball stadium
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
Equivalent to600 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent tothe full capacityof one domed
baseball stadium
1 Recent Trend and Target
(%)
Environmental benefits (in waste) for customers
in a single fiscal year
Internal environmental impact (in waste) in a
single fiscal year
Attaining a waste reduction factor of 5
Slogan
Subject
(Factor)
2014 2015 2016
(FY)
150
50
0
10058
4361
100
2014 2015 2016
6.0
2.0
0
4.0
1.2 1.42.3
5.0
2021(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)
(FY)2021201620152014 201620152014
160
40
80
0
120
160
40
80
0
12082 90
103
150
68 76 84
136
Equivalent to422 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent to600 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent to60% of the fullcapacity of onedomed baseball
stadium
Equivalent tothe full capacityof one domed
baseball stadium
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
Equivalent to600 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent tothe full capacityof one domed
baseball stadium
2 Recent Trend and Target
Slogan
Subject
Environmental benefits for customers in waste
(cumulative total)
Reducing waste by the amount equivalent to the full capacity of
1domed baseball stadium(1.36 million tons)
(0,000 t)
2014 2015 2016
(FY)
150
50
0
10058
4361
100
2014 2015 2016
6.0
2.0
0
4.0
1.2 1.42.3
5.0
2021(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)
(FY)2021201620152014 201620152014
160
40
80
0
120
160
40
80
0
12082 90
103
150
68 76 84
136
Equivalent to422 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent to600 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent to60% of the fullcapacity of onedomed baseball
stadium
Equivalent tothe full capacityof one domed
baseball stadium
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
Equivalent to600 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent tothe full capacityof one domed
baseball stadium
2 Recent Trend and Target
Slogan
Subject
Environmental benefits (in CO2) for customers
(cumulative total)
Reducing CO2 emissions by
600 times the capacity of one domed baseball stadium(1.5 million tons-CO2)
(0,000 t-CO2)
2014 2015 2016
(FY)
150
50
0
10058
4361
100
2014 2015 2016
6.0
2.0
0
4.0
1.2 1.42.3
5.0
2021(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)(Cumulative
total)
(FY)2021201620152014 201620152014
160
40
80
0
120
160
40
80
0
12082 90
103
150
68 76 84
136
Equivalent to422 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent to600 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent to60% of the fullcapacity of onedomed baseball
stadium
Equivalent tothe full capacityof one domed
baseball stadium
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
(Cumulativetotal)
Equivalent to600 times the
capacity ofone domed
baseball stadium
Equivalent tothe full capacityof one domed
baseball stadium
CO2 Waste
1 Recent Trend and Target
Environmental benefits (in CO2) for customers in
a single fiscal year(%)
Internal environmental impact (in CO2) in a single fiscal year
100% environmental independence
Slogan
Subject
(%)
CustomerNeeds
The Kurita Group is engaged in environmental improvement activities under the following slogans,
to expand environmental benefits for customers and reduce its internal environmental impact.
—Targets—
TechnologicalInnovation
InternalChange
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 20161 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 2
Information
An interview
with the P
resident
Environm
ental Benefits for
Custom
ers for FY 2016
Technological InnovationC
ustomer N
eeds
Internal Change
Topics/C
omm
unicationC
omp
any Information/
Third-P
arty Op
inion
targets through a system that relies on scientific evidence. However, I feel that Japanese companies view this agreement differently from companies in the rest of the world. In Europe, governments are trying to make reductions more effectively by incorporating reduction activities into the economic system in the form of carbon trading that monetizes carbon, environmental taxes and suchlike. Also, the goal of keeping the global temperature rise to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels puts restrictions on the use of coal and petroleum, which contain carbon, and is a big risk for companies that already have natural resources as assets on their balance sheets. Since the establishment of such mechanisms is an advantage in some industries and a disadvantage in others, Western companies are acutely interested in the extent of the impact of CO2 reductions on their operations. In Japan on the other hand, the government is merely getting industry groups to consider efforts to reduce emissions, and I feel that interest among Japanese companies is generally weak.
Advent of an era where “environmental contribution” is directly linked to the enhancement of corporate value
Kadota: I feel there have been major advances in international frameworks relating to the environment in recent years. At the end of last year, the Paris Agreement, was ratified at COP21*. This was the first time all members of the united Nations, including developing countries, agreed to control global warming pollution. The Paris Agreement set a common goal of keeping the global temperature rise to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. It also requires each country to take measures to achieve their voluntary carbon emissions reduction targets, which must be reviewed every five years. I wonder what impact this will have on companies.Kokubu: COP21 is a huge achievement both as an international framework accepted by all member countries of the uN and because member countries agreed to try to meet specific reduction
Professor Katsuhiko Kokubu, an expert in environmental management, interviews Kurita Water Industries president Michiya Kadota, asking how the Kurita Group, which conducts business in the field of water and the environment, views the expectations of society, amid the rapidly increasing importance of global environmental issues and major advances in international frameworks, and how the Kurita Group plans to expand business as a global corporation.
Professor, Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe university
Katsuhiko KokubuPresident, Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
Michiya Kadota
An interview with the President
*COP21: 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the united Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (uNFCCC) held in Paris, France at the end of November 2015. COP stands for Conference of the Parties and is a conference of countries that have ratified the uNFCCC. COP3 was the 3rd session of the Conference of the Parties to the uNFCCC held at Kyoto, Japan in 1997, and it ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
The Kurita Group will strive to enhance the corporate value of customers
and rapidly grow into a truly global company.
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 20163 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 4
Katsuhiko KokubuProfessor, Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe university. Appointed Dean of the Graduate School in 2014 to 2016.Earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Osaka City university.He has served on many various governmental committees, including chair of the Committee for Research on Promotion of Development of Environmental Business and for Environmental Accounting appointed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and member of the Working Group for the Revision of the Environmental Accounting Guidelines for the Ministry of the Environment. He also chairs ISO/TC207/WG8. Professor Kokubu is a leading global expert in environmental management and accounting and in CSR management.
Kadota: Indeed, Western companies know well the significance of the incorporation of CO2 reductions into the economic system and are starting to prepare for this. We know that, with companies becoming more sensitive about CO2 issues globally, the companies that grasp the situation and are quick to respond are the ones that will survive global competition.Kokubu: The world is moving in the direction whereby spelling out more clearly the contribution a company makes to reducing CO2 emissions can help to enhance its corporate value. I believe companies will start attaching importance to specifying numerically the benefits of reductions instead of talking about abstract reduction efforts.Kadota: I see this a brilliant strategic opportunity for the Kurita Group, which conducts business in the field of water and the environment, in the sense that CO2 reductions achieved through our products and services will help enhance the corporate value of customers and enable them to show the benefits of reductions quantitatively. I believe that water-related issues also need to be kept under close scrutiny as global trends relating to the environment. What do you think?Kokubu: As the effective use of water also starts to be incorporated into the economic system in the same way as CO2 reductions, the question of whether companies are taking proper action to ensure effective use of water is becoming important. unlike CO2, water is a local as well as a global issue. Action taken to conserve water differs according to the location in which water is used, but investors that attach importance to social responsibility scrutinize the policies of global companies on the effective use of water to see whether action is taken based on a consistent Group policy, regardless of country.Kadota: It is clear from our conversation thus far that failure to sufficiently reduce CO2 or use water effectively can negatively affect corporate value and pose a risk to operations. I believe the world is heading in the direction where activities to reduce environmental impact are starting to be positioned at the center of activities to enhance corporate value, and that companies have no choice but to focus on CO2 reductions and effective use of water across the entire value chain, including all plants, as well as customers and suppliers. Last fiscal year, we helped customers adopt dry methane fermentation systems and cooling water blow-down recovery systems combining water treatment chemicals and the technologies of water treatment facilities. I would like to use these unique products not simply to make proposals based solely on the benefits of reducing environmental impact but to evaluate whether the corporate activities of our customers include processes that could help reduce CO2 emissions or water usage and to spell out more clearly how much this could contribute to the enhancement of corporate value.Kokubu: The data that shows contribution to enhancement of corporate value in quantitative terms is, of course, the environmental benefits for customers in your environmental report. I believe Kurita was visionary in coming up with this value from an early stage. I believe this is not just a value for shareholders and investors but also
an opportunity for business expansion through the creation of a value for society, not just a value for shareholders and investors.
Becoming a truly global company in the environmental management
Kadota: At the end of January 2015, we acquired the water treatment chemicals business and other businesses of the Germany-based BK Giulini GmbH and its affiliates, strengthening our overseas business platform mainly in Europe. Last fiscal year, we launched the ultrapure water supply business for local companies in South Korea, which is the first of its kind. As a result, the Kurita Group’s overseas sales ratio rose sharply from 21% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 to 30% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. I feel that from the viewpoints of E (Environment), S (Society), and G (Governance), the Kurita Group also needs to become a global company in every respect.Kokubu: The international community is seeking to develop standards for linking the environment to some kind of economic value. As part of information disclosure, in their integrated reports, companies are required to consider the environment as a type of capital, understand the relationship between the environment and their products and services, and explain how this will lead to the creation of value in the long term. ISO14001 has also been revised to improve the link to business strategy, normalizing a system in which reducing the environmental impact will enhance corporate value and reduce business risk. For global companies, taking action in accordance with global environmental standards will become increasingly important in the future.Kadota: To fulfil its social responsibility and meet expectations as a global company, the Kurita Group must establish systems that conform to global standards from the perspectives of E, S and G, make continuous improvements through the PDCA cycle, and disclose the results of these activities. Since the “Environment” is a universal theme that applies to everyone regardless of culture or background, I intend to set out a Group approach and policy that are as simple and easy to understand as possible. We are also a group of people with a strong desire to contribute to society through water and the environment. I want to ensure that each of our employees is able to achieve a real sense of contributing to the global environment through our business activities. To this end, it is important for employees to gain a higher vantage point until they can see the kind of frameworks that are shaping global trends in relation to the environment and understand the issues and risks they are facing. As president, I intend to reposition our businesses and reassess where our mission as a company lies, thus clarifying the nature of the contribution Kurita should make and communicating this to the Group as whole.
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 20163 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 4
Information
An interview
with the P
resident
Information
An interview
with the P
resident
Environm
ental Benefits for
Custom
ers for FY 2016
Technological InnovationC
ustomer N
eeds
Internal Change
Topics/C
omm
unicationC
omp
any Information/
Third-P
arty Op
inion
81 81 81 81
120
60
90
30
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
60
80
40
20
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
3,000
1,000
2,000
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
300
400
200
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
200
300
10,000
20,000
0
30,000
10,000
20,000
0
30,000100 500 400
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
106
81
11626,860
12,257
28,063
60
7976
785 696
2,385
20,512
25,35323,032 395 410
467
135
358
20
81 81 81 81
120
60
90
30
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
60
80
40
20
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
3,000
1,000
2,000
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
300
400
200
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
200
300
10,000
20,000
0
30,000
10,000
20,000
0
30,000100 500 400
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
106
81
11626,860
12,257
28,063
60
7976
785 696
2,385
20,512
25,35323,032 395 410
467
135
358
20
81 81 81 81
120
60
90
30
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
60
80
40
20
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
3,000
1,000
2,000
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
300
400
200
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
200
300
10,000
20,000
0
30,000
10,000
20,000
0
30,000100 500 400
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
106
81
11626,860
12,257
28,063
60
7976
785 696
2,385
20,512
25,35323,032 395 410
467
135
358
20
81 81 81 81
120
60
90
30
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
60
80
40
20
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
3,000
1,000
2,000
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
300
400
200
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
200
300
10,000
20,000
0
30,000
10,000
20,000
0
30,000100 500 400
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
106
81
11626,860
12,257
28,063
60
7976
785 696
2,385
20,512
25,35323,032 395 410
467
135
358
20
The Kurita Group identifies the reductions in environmental impact attained with the improvements proposed to and
adopted by customers as its original indicator under the name environmental benefits for customers.
For orders received in the one-year period from April 2015 to March 2016, environmental benefits for customers for FY2016
are quantified by estimating the environmental reductions before and after the introduction of the improvement presented in
the written specifications and proposals to customers at the time of receiving orders.
We have achieved results together with customers.
Environmental Benefits for Customers for FY 2016
Environmental Benefits for Customers
Removal of hazardous substances by the use of heavy metal stabilizers, and reduction in the use of chemicals through replacement with a regeneration type demineralizer
Reduction of environmentally harmful substances
tons per year2,385
Reduction of sludge with the use of dehydration agents and anaerobic wastewater treatment facilities, and waste reduction with the introduction of drying machines
Waste reduction
tons per year78,840(tons per year)On average, a single
household generates about 1,400 kg of waste*4 per year.The waste reduction of 78,840 tons is therefore equivalent to the total amount of waste generated by about 56,300 households in one year.
(000 tons per year)
Fuel and electric power consumption cuts with the use of water treatment chemicals for boilers and cooling facilities, and water conservation with the use of wastewater reclamation systems
CO2 emissions reduction
t-CO2 per year*1
116,136 ,000 m3 per year28,063Water savings
On average, a single household emits about 4,760 kg*2 of CO2 per year. The emissions reduction of 116,136 tons is therefore equivalent to the total amount of CO2 emitted by about 24,400 households in one year.
(000 t-CO2 per year) On average, a single household consumes about 300 m3 *3 of water per year.A 28,063,000 m3 saving of water is therefore equivalent to the total amount of water consumed by about 93,500 households in one year.
(000 m3 per year)
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 20165 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 6
81 81 81 81
120
60
90
30
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
60
80
40
20
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
3,000
1,000
2,000
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
300
400
200
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
200
300
10,000
20,000
0
30,000
10,000
20,000
0
30,000100 500 400
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
106
81
11626,860
12,257
28,063
60
7976
785 696
2,385
20,512
25,35323,032 395 410
467
135
358
20
81 81 81 81
120
60
90
30
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
60
80
40
20
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
3,000
1,000
2,000
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
300
400
200
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
200
300
10,000
20,000
0
30,000
10,000
20,000
0
30,000100 500 400
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
106
81
11626,860
12,257
28,063
60
7976
785 696
2,385
20,512
25,35323,032 395 410
467
135
358
20
81 81 81 81
120
60
90
30
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
60
80
40
20
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
3,000
1,000
2,000
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016 2014 2015(FY)
2016
300
400
200
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
200
300
10,000
20,000
0
30,000
10,000
20,000
0
30,000100 500 400
100
0 2014 2015(FY)
2016
106
81
11626,860
12,257
28,063
60
7976
785 696
2,385
20,512
25,35323,032 395 410
467
135
358
20
Environmental Benefits for Customers
*1. CO2 emission factors used for the calculations: electricity: (0.570 kg-CO2/kWh for customers in Japan, 0.734 kg-CO2/kWh for customers in China, 0.583 kg-CO2/kWh for customers in Taiwan), city gas: 2.23 kg-CO2/m3, Class-A heavy oil: 2.71 kg-CO2/l, tap water and sewage water: 0.65 kg-CO2/m3. The conversion factor used for electricity for customers in Japan is the one in the “Environmental Action Plan of Electric Power Companies” that was announced by the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan in September 2014. Reduced CO2 emissions attributable to water conservation is also included.
*2. According to data on CO2 emissions from households provided by the Japan Center for Climate Change Actions
*3. Calculated based on the average water consumption per month at four-person households, which is shown in a document on tips to save water from the Bureau of Waterworks, Tokyo Metropolitan Government
*4. Amount of waste generated by a household of four members, which is calculated based on per-capita waste generation shown in the Annual Report on the Environment, the Sound Material-Cycle Society and the Biodiversity in Japan 2016 (released by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment)
Exhaust gas including odorous components treated with catalytic cracker
Air pollutant treatment
Nm³ per year20(Nm3 per year)
Reduction in the amount of wastewater treated by wastewater treatment systems
Wastewater treatment
,000 m3 per year25,353
Reduction in the volume of contaminated soil and groundwater removed by excavation or treated by in-situ purification
Remediation of contaminated soil
,000 m3 per year410The standard size of a swimming pool is 50 m long, 20 m wide, and 1.7 m deep, and its volume is 1,700 m3.The 25,353,000 m3 of wastewater treated is therefore equivalent to the volume of water from about 14,900 swimming pools.
(000 m3 per year) The remediation of 410,000 m3 of contaminated soil (1 m3 of soil weighs 1.8 tons) is equivalent to about 73,800 10-ton truckloads.
(000 m3 per year)
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 20165 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 6
An interview
with the P
resident
Technological InnovationC
ustomer N
eeds
Internal Change
Topics/C
omm
unicationC
omp
any Information/
Third-P
arty Op
inionInform
ationE
nvironmental B
enefits for C
ustomers for FY
2016
1.A water supply unit and water treatment management system for low-pressure boilers to help reduce CO2 emissions
For the many low-pressure boilers installed at the plants of customers in Japan and overseas, Kurita has developed an energy-saving water supply device that uses an ultra-low pressure RO membrane to remove hardness (scale), chemicals to prevent small amounts of scale in the water supply from sticking to the boiler, and a water treatment management system that controls this device and chemicals with water treatment sensors. By combining these technologies, the product helps solve various issues surrounding boilers, including reducing boiler fuel costs and blow water, improving problems with steam and condensate return systems, and optimizing use of water treatment chemicals.
New products and technologiesImprovement targets
CO2 Waste Environmentallyharmful substances Water pollutants
Water supply unit and water treatment control system for low pressure boiler
Automatic controlling system for dosing chemicals to incinerator fly ash
Chemicals for cleaning RO membrane used in electronics factories
High-turbidity water membrane system, Scale dispersion agents and COD digester for wastewater reclamation
New products and technologies developed to contribute to environmental improvement
We are committed to creating new products and technologies that help solve problems related to water and the environment.
The Kurita Group is working to develop new products and technologies that help improve the environment and contribute
to creating a sustainable society.
The following are examples of our new products and technologies:
Technological Innovation
Kurita has received an order from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
for the manufacture of a flight model of the company’s next generation water
recycling and demonstration system. This system is scheduled to be installed in
the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” on the International Space Station (ISS).
The system consists of a control system and a water treatment system made
up of ion exchange units, electrolysis units and electrodialysis units. It recycles
water at a higher level (a water recycling rate of 85% or more) than the water
recycling systems currently used on the ISS. It also consumes about one-half of
the power and is one-quarter the size and weight of the current systems. Another
added benefit of the new system is that it does not require any maintenance. The
regeneration of ion exchange resins is self-contained inside the system, and there
is no need to replace the resins. Kurita plans to apply this technology, honed in the
cutting-edge field of space technology development, to the environment field.
Received order from JAXA for Next Generation Water Recycling and Demonstration System to be installed in the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” on the International Space Station
Boiler chemicals with dual functions of
preventing scale buildup and removing scale.
Energy-saving RO membrane device
Water treatment management agreement
for verifying energy-saving benefits
Water treatment sensors and control equipment for remotely monitoring water
treatment status
Solving various issues with steam
and condensate return systems,
including reducing CO2 emissions.
Treatment method (system flow)
Concentrate water
Electrodialysis
Alkali Acid
TreatedwaterUrine
Waste liquid
Ion exchange
HydrogenCarbon dioxide
Gas-liquidseparationmembrane
Electrolysis
Products and technologies marketed overseas
TOPICS
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 20167 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 8
2.A system that uses dry methane fermentation technology to break down organic waste contained in refuse for incineration and recovers biogas to help reduce CO2 and waste.usually, much of the organic waste contained in food waste, burnable waste, etc. is simply incinerated. Kurita has developed a dry methane fermentation system that recovers biogas (methane) through the methane fermentation of solid organic waste using microorganisms. The introduction of this system prior to incineration reduces the amount of waste (fermentation residue) that is incinerated, and the recovered biogas can also be reused as a source of energy. The system has the advantage that because it performs direct fermentation of solid contents, the fermentation residue has a low water content and no dewatering system is required to recycle residue by making it into compost or turning into carbon, etc.
3.An automatic injection control system that reduces the amount of chemicals used to treat heavy metals contained in incinerator fly ash
Since fly ash collected from combustion gases in dust collectors contains toxic heavy metals such as lead, waste incineration facilities in Japan use chemicals to harden heavy metals in fly ash to prevent them from eluting. Since the composition of incinerated waste varies and the amount of heavy metals contained in fly ash also changes, workers used to collect samples of fly ash for analysis and adjust the dose of heavy metal treatment chemicals. Kurita has developed a system that automates the entire process from fly ash sampling to analysis and dosing control. This system not only makes it possible to control dosing according to fluctuations in the heavy metals content of fly ash to maintain stable treatment quality but also helps reduce the amount of chemicals used.
New products and technologiesImprovement targets
CO2 Waste Environmentallyharmful substances Water pollutants
Coagulation-sedimentation unit for a large volume of water with high levels of suspended solids
Tower-type wastewater treatment system using the aerobic granules technology
Software and Simulation Model of biological treatment of complex wastewater to support utility cost estimation
Dry methane fermentation process for private industrial waste-disposal industries
Kurita’s low sludge generation type aerobic biological treatment process BIOPLANET SRTM has received
the METI Industrial Technology Environmental Agency Director General’s Award at the 42nd Excellent
Environmental Equipment Awards hosted by the Japan Society of Industrial Machinery Manufacturers
(JSIM). This process enables a reduction in the amount of sludge generated by up to 75% compared to
the standard aerobic biological treatment process used to treat the wastewater of plants, etc. It received
the award in recognition of the fact that it practically applies low environmental impact technology that
reduces the amount of sludge generated and has reduced the environmental impact at domestic and
international worksites. Kurita will continue pursuing the topic of how to reduce excess sludge, and
will further promote measures for solving customers’ problems concerning water and the environment,
while helping reduce the environmental impact through the development of unique biological treatment
technologies.
Kurita’s sludge reduction type aerobic biological treatment process BIOPLANET SRTM receives METI Industrial Technology Environmental Agency Director-General’s Award
* Please note that the new products and technologies highlighted in this report may not be handled in countries or regions other than Japan.
Incineration facilities
RecyclingDewatering
Food waste
Wood waste
Burnable waste
Previous flow
Incineration facilities
Recycling
Food waste
Wood waste
Burnable waste
New flow
Biogas
Dry methane fermentation
systemFermentation residue
Mixer Treated ash
Control
Fly ash treatment agent
Analysis and measurementcontrol part
Analysis
ChimneyFlue
Waste
Incinerator
Fly ash silo
Dust collector
P
Measuringtank
Automatic incineration fly
ash sampling partSampling
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 20167 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 8
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resident
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ental Benefits for
Custom
ers for FY 2016
Technological InnovationC
ustomer N
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Internal Change
Topics/C
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Third-P
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Improved productivity
Energy creation
Reduction ofenvironmental impact
Customers
Solutions based onwater treatment
Water treatment chemicals Water treatment facilities
Maintenance services, operation management, etc.
■ Boiler water treatment chemicals
■ Wastewater treatment chemicals
■ Contract-type products
■ Water quality analysis
■Cooling water treatment chemicals
■ Process treatment chemicals
■ Chemical injection equipment etc.
■ Ultrapure water production systems■ Water treatment systems■ Wastewater treatment systems■ Wastewater reclamation systems
etc.
■ Maintenance services
■ Ultrapure water supply business
■Tool cleaning services
■ Soil and groundwater remediation
■ Chemical cleaning
■ Boiler facilities
Building of a sustainable societyRealization of a sustainable society
A distinctive business portfolioA distinctive business portfolio
The Kurita Group operates globally with a well-balanced business portfoliofocused on three areas: water treatment chemicals,water treatment facilities and maintenance services.
The Kurita Group operates globally with a well-balanced business portfoliofocused on three areas: water treatment chemicals,water treatment facilities and maintenance services.
With a focus on higher productivity, lower environmental impacts and energy creation, Kurita Water Industries is proactive
in offering its products, technologies and services. The following demonstrates examples of different solutions involving
water and the environment achieved in partnership with customers.
Kurita Water Industries helps customers achieve environmental improvements by offering them products, technologies and services.
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 20169 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 10
Customer Needs
Manufacturing functional precision porous material such as PvA sponge,
AION Co., Ltd.’s Kanto Plant strives to reduce the environmental impact
of business activities in accordance with its environmental policy.
In the wastewater treatment process, organic matter is broken down by
microorganisms in the aeration tank. A constant oxygen concentration
must be maintained to maximize the health of the microorganisms. The
task was to reduce the power consumption of the blower that supplies
the oxygen.
Kurita Water Industries’ Facilities Division proposed changing to a fine
bubble air diffuser with a higher oxygen transfer rate than the existing air
diffuser.
The adoption of this proposal made it possible to reduce the power
consumption of the blower, delivering an annual reduction in power
consumption of 12% from the previous level.
Solution
Task
Case 1 Kanto Plant, AION Co., Ltd.
Electric power consumption reduced by 12%
1 Reduction of electric power consumption of wastewater treatment process
2 Improvement of aeration efficiency and durability of air diffuser
Improvement of oxygen transfer efficiency through optimization of air
diffuser
The proposal matched our requirements
and so we used the actual machine to
assess the benefits and adopted the
proposal. We await more cost-cutting
proposals and demonstration of the
durability and energy-saving benefits of the
air diffuser in the future.
Customer’s Voice
Center/Mr. Hisao Nakayama, Director for Development and Production
Right/Mr. Yasuo Kawamura, Chief of Equipment Section, Engineering Department
Left/Mr. Masao Yamamoto, Equipment Section (Environment), Engineering Department
Wastewater
Equalizing tank Moving bed tank
Aeration tank
Sedimentation tank
Discharged afterpost-treatment
process
Sludge
Fine bubble air diffuser
Neutralization tank
Flow chart
Mr. Tadashi Matsumura, Engineering Section
We appreciate that, after adoption of
the proposal, we continued to maintain
discharge standards that are stricter than
usual, set in consultation with the municipal
authorities. We also appreciate the fact
that this has helped reduce the wastewater
management workload. We await more
proposals that will lead to further reduction
in the cost of the wastewater treatment
process and optimization of the entire
process in the future.
Customer’s Voice
Manufacturing various fish-paste products such as kamaboko, Ichimasa
Kamaboko Co., Ltd.’s head office/plant strives to reduce environmental
impact of business activities.
In the wastewater treatment process, organic matter is broken down
by microorganisms in the aeration tank, and water is separated from
suspended solids in the sedimentation tank downstream. The task was
to respond to the increase in wastewater volume and fluctuation in
wastewater loads resulting from increased production volume.
Kurita Water Industries’ Facilities Division proposed reinforcement of
filters based on the assessment that the focus of reinforcement of
wastewater treatment system should be the increased concentration of
suspended solids and not the response to BOD loads.
The adoption of this proposal made it possible to increase annual sludge
treatment capacity by 146,000 m3.
Solution
TaskIncrease in wastewater treatment volume as a result of increased
production
Identification of focus of reinforcement of wastewater treatment
facilities and optimization of water treatment facilities
Case 2Head office/plant, Ichimasa Kamaboko Co., Ltd.
Flow chart
Filtration
Wastewater
Discharge
Aeration tank
Sedimentation tank
Sludge
Sludge
Proposal
Reinforced filter
Annual sludge treatment capacity increased by
146,000 m3
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 20169 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 10
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ers for FY 2016
Technological InnovationC
ustomer N
eeds
Internal Change
Topics/C
omm
unicationC
omp
any Information/
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Technological InnovationC
ustomer N
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Mr. Yuichi Sato, Engineering Section, Production Engineering Department
We appreciate that Kurita teamed up
with a boiler manufacturer and proposed
boiler facilities which best matched plant
operating conditions and that this reduced
workload in terms of boiler operation
management. We await future versatile and
attentive follow-up services and proposals
for further CO2 emission reductions and
energy savings.
Customer’s Voice
Manufacturing various products made from corn such as cornstarch and
processed starch, Shikishima Starch Mfg. Co., Ltd. strives to reduce
environmental impact of business activities in accordance with the
environmental policy of the Showa Sangyo Group.
The customer formerly used a heavy oil fired boiler for supplying steam
used in the manufacturing process. It faced issue of cutting CO2
emissions.
Kurita BMS Co., Ltd. and Kurita Chemicals Tokai Ltd. proposed
gasification of boiler fuel and boiler facilities capable of proportional
combustion control according to fluctuations in steam loads associated
with production.
Adoption of this proposal enabled supply of steam in accordance with
operation and helped reduce CO2 emissions by 30% compared with
previous heavy oil fired boiler.
Solution
Task Reduction of CO2 emissions
Fuel gasification/Updating of existing heavy oil fired boiler/Boiler
capable of proportional combustion control in line with steam load
fluctuation
Case 3 Shikishima Starch Mfg. Co., Ltd.
Boiler
CO2 emissions reduced by 30%
We approve highly of the improved stability
of the machinery, energy saving, safety
in management and operational aspects,
and of Kurita Water Industries’ speedy
response and technological capabilities.
In the future we are hoping for a further
acceleration on the engineering front, and
for the introduction of new products and
new technologies.
Customer’s Voice
In manufacturing DRAM and other semiconductor memory devices,
Micron Memory Taiwan Co., Ltd. strives to reduce environmental impact
and pay care and consideration for safety, based on its environmental
and safety policies.
The customer needed to achieve compliance with new regulations on
ammonia nitrogen contained in discharged water.
At Kurita Water Industries, the Facilities Division proposed air stripping
and water treatment facilities based on the catalytic combustion method.
using neither gas nor fuel, air stripping is said to be very safe and to be
capable of recovering heat with high efficiency.
Adoption of the proposal enabled compliance with regulations on
discharged water quality as well as energy saving benefits and safe
operation management.
Solution
Task
1 Compliance with new regulations on ammonia nitrogen contained in discharged water
2 Energy conservation and improved safety
Air stripping and removal of ammonia nitrogen by the catalytic
combustion method
Case 4 Micron Memory Taiwan Co., Ltd.
Mr. Kenny Chang Sr. Facility Water Treatment Engineer Water treatment, Water & Gas Chemical
Achieve compliance with new regulations on
ammonia nitrogen contained in discharged water
Flow chart
Ammonia nitrogen removal tower
Heat recovery unit
Electric heater
Wastewater (containing ammonium ions)
Air
Exhaust
Treated water (to be discharged)
P
F
F
Heat recovery unit
Catalytic reactorHeat
recovery
Heat recovery
Contactbed
Ammonia nitrogen
Fan
Fan
P
Customer Needs
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 201611 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 12
Manufacturing mainly fluorochemical products, air conditioners and
chillers and hydraulic equipment, Daikin Industries, Ltd.’s Yodogawa Plant
helps reduce the environmental impact of production, including cuts in
GHG emissions and a reduction in waste and water in accordance with
the Group Basic Environmental Policy.
The ultrapure water used in production processes is made with an
ultrapure water production system including an RO membrane and ion
exchange resin. The uses of ultrapure water have changed from the
time when the ultrapure water production system was installed and
the amount of ultrapure water used has also decreased significantly,
creating overcapacity, and the task was to reduce utilities including power
consumption during operation.
Kurita Water Industries’ Facilities Division proposed optimization of the
ultrapure water production system through downsizing.
Adoption of this proposal reduced annual power consumption by 90%
compared with the previous level.
Solution
Task Reduction of overuse of utilities for ultrapure water production system
Optimization of ultrapure water production system through downsizing
Case 5Yodogawa Plant, Daikin Industries, Ltd.
Electric power consumption reduced by 90%
We appreciate that we received a
proposal quantifying current cost loss,
the maintenance of water quality after
adoption, and cost merits commensurate
with our investment. We await proposals
that will help further improve quality, as
water of even greater purity will be required
in the future.
Customer’s Voice
Left/Mr. Osamu Watanabe, Supervisor, No. 1 Section, Chemicals Production Department, Chemicals Division
Center/Mr. Yusuke Ohishi, Foreman, No. 1 Section, Chemicals Production Department, Chemicals Division
Right/Mr. Yasuyuki Dote, Facilities Management Group, Engineering Department, Chemicals Division
Regularly collecting and cleaning products such as mops and mats,
Duskin Product Higashi Kanto Co., Ltd.’s Chibahigashi Plant strives to
reduce the environmental impact of plant operations in accordance with
the Duskin Environmental Policy.
In the waste water treatment process, aluminum sulfate was used as an
inorganic coagulant to facilitate agglomeration of suspended solids in
wastewater and separation from water. However, the fact that the odor
from this chemical could be smelt in the area surrounding the plant and
inside the plant was an issue.
Kurita Chemicals Kantou Ltd. proposed reducing chemicals consumption
by optimizing wastewater treatment chemicals, including changing
the inorganic coagulant for a chemical consisting mainly of aluminum
chloride.
Adoption of this proposal made it possible to resolve the issue of the bad
odor and reduce consumption of inorganic coagulant by 40% from the
previous level.
Solution
Task Reduction of odor from aluminum sulfate
Odor control through optimization of wastewater treatment chemicals
and reduction of chemicals consumption
Case 6Chibahigashi Plant, Duskin Product Higashi Kanto Co., Ltd.
Decolorant (organic coagulant) Poly-electrolyte
Reaction tank Coagulation reaction tankPressure tank
pH meter
Aluminum chloride on/off control
Change from aluminum sulfate
Change of injection point
Raw water
Inverter control
Inverter
Previous
injection point
Discharge
Recycled water(to cleaning processes)
We appreciate that Kurita put together
radical measures to address the
cause of the odor rather than just a
stopgap measure, made detailed data
measurements and demonstrated the
benefits to us in actual equipment tests.
We intend to roll this out to plants
nationwide because the odor control,
etc. was very effective. We would like
continued help promoting introduction in
close cooperation with the shop floor staff
at each of our plants.
Customer’s Voice
Mr. Takashi Maki, Chief of Manufacturing Technology Office, Manufacturing Department, Production Headquarters, Duskin Co., Ltd.
Duskin Product Higashi Kanto Co., Ltd. Left/Mr. Junichi Teramura, Director and Plant Manager
Right/Mr. Yoshiaki Ooki, General Manager, Manufacturing Department
Chemicals consumption reduced by 40%
New ultrapure water production system
Old ultrapure water production system
Downsizing
Flow chart
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 201611 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 12
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ers for FY 2016
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ustomer N
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ustomer N
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Left/Mr. K. L. Pan, Manager, Operation Department II
Right/Mr. Hsieh Kun-Fu, General Foreman, Operation Department II
The system was effective in reducing
inorganic coagulant, reducing sludge
generation, and stabilizing treated water
quality. We are awaiting future proposals
based on advanced technologies that will
help reduce costs.
Customer’s Voice
In charge of managing the water treatment facilities of Dragon Steel
Corporation, which produces various steel products such as H sections,
flat bars and hot-rolled steel, China Ecotek Corporation strives to reduce
the environmental impact of its business activities in according with its
environmental policy.
In the waste water treatment process, aluminum chloride was used as
an inorganic coagulant to facilitate agglomeration of suspended solids
in wastewater and separation from water. The task was to reduce
consumption of this chemicals, reduce generation of sludge and stabilize
treated water quality.
Kurita (Taiwan) Co., Ltd. proposed a system that monitors coagulation
status in real time with sensors, and automatically controls the dosing of
the inorganic coagulant.
Adoption of this proposal opened the way to reducing annual consumption
of inorganic coagulant by 7% from the previous level, and also led to
reduction in generation of sludge derived from the inorganic coagulant and
the stabilization of treated water quality.
Solution
Task1 Reduction of inorganic coagulant consumption and reduction of
sludge generation
2 Stabilization of wastewater treatment water quality
Reduction of chemical consumption through inorganic coagulant
dosing automatic control system
Case 7 China Ecotek Corporation (Taiwan)
Reduction of chemical consumption by 7%Wastewater
Treatedwater
Second reaction tank
First reaction tank
Poly-electrolyte
Inorganiccoagulant
Control Real time
monitoring device
Sedimentation tank Sludge
DischargeSensor
PP
We greatly appreciate this latest proposal
because we recovered our investment in
less than a year and it was also effective in
reducing costs. We await future proposals
related to wastewater treatment that will
lead to further reduction in environmental
impact and cost.
Customer’s Voice
Producing soft drink water for tea type drinks and functional drinks, etc.,
Haruna Produce Inc.’s Tanigawa Factory is promoting the conservation of
resources and energy in all its business activities in accordance with the
Environmental Policy of the Haruna Group.
The pure water used in the production process is made through a water
treatment system using an RO membrane. It is necessary to heat the raw
water that passes through the RO membrane and reducing the steam
used to heat the water had become an issue.
Kurita Water Industries’ Facilities Division proposed installation of a
preheater to recover heat from the pure water and the optimal operating
method that would keep heating to a minimum.
Adoption of this proposal made it possible for the customer to reduce
annual steam consumption by 27% from the previous level.
Solution
Task Reduction of amount of steam used to heat pure water
Installation of preheater to recover heat from pure water and
optimization of heating temperature
Case 8Tanigawa Factory, Haruna Produce Inc.
Mr. Takaharu Katano, Leader of Society & Environment/Production Technology Sec., Manufacturing unit, Production Headquarters
Safety filter Heatrecovery unit
Non-chemicals/electrodeionization
system
Waste water
Steam
Rawwater
To production process Treated water
Preheater ROmembrane
Waste water
Pressurepump
P
Reduction of steam consumption by 27%
Flow chart
Flow chart
Customer Needs
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 201613 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 14
vallourec and Kurita started the
implementation of this technology in 2015
and the goal is to achieve all possible
systems along the biennium of 2016/2017.
vallourec believes on Kurita work and
technology in order to make these goals a
reality for the water treatment operation in
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Customer’s Voice
vallourec Tubos do Brasil S.A (vBR) is a steel company and is
the worldwide leader in solutions using seamless steel tubes. For
environmental and sustainability of vBR’s business, the company is
seeking constantly to reduce the consumption of water and energy and its
processes.
Due to the water shortages experienced in southeastern of Brazil and
the constant need to reduce costs, the Energy & utilities Operations
Management of the plant located in Belo Horizonte, together with the
KDBL´s crew, developed a work to decrease the volume of make-up water
in one of vBR circuits.
This work consists in replacing the make-up water of the cooling towers,
currently provided by the local utility, for recirculated water from waste
water treatment. To this treated effluent were added Kurita chemicals. All
these chemicals were used to reduce the formation of scale, slime, foam
and carbon steel corrosion.
This solution is being studied for expanding to other circuits. This solution
can reduce even more the cost of make-up water in other processes of the
plant.
Solution
Task Decrease the volume of make-up water of the cooling towers
Replacing the make-up water of the cooling towers for recirculated water
from waste water treatment
Case 9 Vallourec Tubos do Brasil S.A (VBR)
Water consumption reduced by1.5%
Left/Mr. Hugo Gontijo (Operational Technician) Center/Mr. Geovane Sousa (Production Technician) Right/Mr. Lucas Meira (Production Engineer)
Waste water
Discharge
Treated water
Sedimentation tank
Sludge
Relaytank
Filtration
Existing line
Recycle
Reaction tank
Cooling water
treatment chemical
Make-up water for cooling system
Cooling tower
Reduction of chemical consumption by 50%
We adopted the proposal because we
were able to confirm in desk and actual
equipment tests that there is no impact
on coagulation or the dewatering process
and because significant costs reductions
were predicted. We greatly appreciate that
we actually achieved not only reduction
in environmental load but also cost
reductions and improvement in terms of
management. We await future proposals
with a mind to reducing costs for all our
plant processes.
Customer’s Voice
Hiroshima Recycle Center Co., Ltd.’s Kui Plant No 2, which recycles
plastic waste, strives to reduce the environmental impact of its business
activities in accordance with its environmental policy.
In its wastewater treatment process, the customer used ferric chloride as
an inorganic coagulant to facilitate agglomeration of suspended solids in
waste water and separation from water. However, this chemical is highly
acidic and corrosive, corroding the steel, etc. used in the wastewater
treatment process, which was an issue.
Kurita Chemicals Sanyo Ltd. proposed changing the inorganic coagulant
to a chemical consisting mainly of aluminum chloride and also proposed
reducing use through an organic coagulant and a poly-electrolyte.
Adoption of this proposal reduced annual consumption of inorganic
coagulant by 50% from the previous level and also made it possible to
reduce corrosion of steel, etc.
Solution
Task Reduction of corrosion of steel, etc. caused by ferric chloride
Optimization of water treatment chemicals used in coagulation process
through organic coagulant and poly-electrolyte
Case 10Kui Plant No. 2, Hiroshima Recycle Center Co., Ltd.
Mr. Yoshito Kawamoto, Manufacturing Department GM in charge of Production Control
Waste water
Discharge
Inflow tank
Reaction tank
Dissolved air flotation tank
SludgeMembrane suction pump
To plant (recycled water) Sludge
Ca reaction tank
Aeration tank (2)
Recycled water tank
Discharge tank
Activated carbon tower
Ca sedimentation tank
Aeration tank (1)
PP
Membrane
Aluminum chloride
Organic coagulantChange
from ferric chloride
Before proposal, without use
Change from zeolite
Flow chart
Flow chart
Poly-electrolyte
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 201613 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 14
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ers for FY 2016
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ustomer N
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omm
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any Information/
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ustomer N
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Other Examples of Environmental Benefits for Customers
The cooling water system was untreated. However, the treatment using cooling water treatment chemicals reduces consumption of water supply to the cooling water system.
Customer was using chemicals designated by boiler maker and operating boiler at recommended blowdown rate. However, optimization of boiler chemicals makes it possible to significantly lower the blowdown rate and reduce consumption of gas used to fuel the boiler.
Changing aeration tank’s air diffuser to a diffuser with higher oxygen transfer efficiency reduces consumption of electric power which drives the machinery pumping oxygen into the aeration tank.
Introducing equipment for the evaporation-drying of waste produced by the wastewater process to lower water content reduces waste generation.
Replacing containers for water treatment chemicals with returnable containers that may be used many times reduces CO2 emissions from combustion of waste containers.
Purchases and installations of water-saving shower heads for faucets reduce the consumption of clean water and fuel for heating.
Optimization of coagulant to recover excess coating material inside spray booth facilitates dewatering of coagulated sludge and reduces waste.
■ A pharmaceutical plant
■ A hospital
■ A drinking water plant
■ A non-ferrous metal processing plant
■ Factories
■ General households
■ An electronic component factory
Right/Mr. Daisuke Yokozawa, Supervisor, Environment Section, Management Department
Left/Mr. Takanori Saito, Environment Section, Management Department
Kurita presented us with a good proposal
with limited installation space. We
appreciate that Kurita understood the
plant’s overall system, closely monitored
actual operating conditions, always listened
to our opinions, and provided a prompt
service. We await further water-saving
proposals as cooling water is expected to
increase in the future.
Pure waterPure water
pre-treatmentunit
Tap water
Recycled water
Wastewater treatment unit
Discharged water
Existingline
Existingline
Primary pure water Increased
Increased
Reduced
Reduced
Customer’s Voice
Manufacturing noise cut filters for smartphones, the Miyazaki Plant
of Fukui Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is striving to save water and
lessen the environmental impact of its business process through
strict management based on voluntary standards for quality of water
discharged from plants under the Murata Group’s environmental policy.
The customer uses pure water to clean products in the production
process. This pure water is made through a demineralizer which uses
tap water as water supply. The task was to reduce water consumption
and generation of wastewater, which were rising as a result of increased
production.
Kurita Meiki Ltd. proposed a pure water pre-treatment unit to increase
recovery of wastewater from the demineralizer.
Adoption of this proposal made it possible to reduce annual water
consumption by 28% and annual wastewater generation by 80% from
previous levels.
Solution
TaskReduction of tap water consumption and wastewater, which is rising
as a result of increased production
Increase of wastewater recovery through pure water pre-treatment unit
Case 11Miyazaki Plant, Fukui Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Demineralizer
Existing equipment
Recycled pure water unit
Existing equipment
Proposal
Water savings of 28%Wastewater treatment reduced by 80%
Annual water consumption reduced by
18,375 tons
Annual CO2 emissions reduced by
57,155 tons
Waste generation reduced by
40%
Electric power consumption
reduced by 20%
Gas consumption reduced by
0.5%
Annual waste generation
reduced by 3,900 tons
Annual CO2 emissions reduced by
1,399 tons
Plant
Flow chart
Customer Needs
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 201615 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 16
Glossary of Terms
Ion exchange The effect of exchanging ions in water with its own ions
Air stripping A method of removing gas and volatile elements contained in liquid by bringing them in contact with air
Sludge A mud-like form of suspended solids in wastewater as a result of sediment or floating
Reverse osmosis (RO) membrane
device
A device that filters water with the use of a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane, which blocks ions, bacteria and other impurities
other than water
Suspended solids Insoluble particles with a diameter of 2 mm or less that remain floating or in suspension in water
Aerobic biological treatment Method of using microorganisms that need oxygen to treat organic matter in wastewater
Poly-electrolyteAn agent based on the chemical substance polyacrylamide which facilitates the agglomeration of suspended solids in water and
their separation from water
CODMeasurement of the amount of oxidizing agent consumed to oxidize organic matter present in water, converted into the equivalent
amount of oxygen. A high COD indicates polluted water
Seamless pipe Steel pipe without any seam
Heavy metalsRefers to metals with a specific gravity greater than 4. In the context of waste, the term often refers to toxic metals such as lead,
mercury and cadmium
Pure water Water from which impurities such as suspended solids, ions and organic matter has been removed
Scale A deposited and solidified form of calcium, silica and other substances originally dissolved in water
Slime Suspended solids formed from microorganisms such as bacteria and algae in water
Downsizing Downscaling to reduce costs and improve efficiency
Ultra-pure waterWater with a purity level of near 100% prepared by removing ions, organic substances, air, fine particles, microorganisms and
other impurities to the maximum degree
DRAMSemiconductor memory that is used for reading and writing data
Used in electronic equipment such as computers, mobile phones and digital cameras
Hot rolling Rolling process that involves heating the metal to high temperatures
Biogas Gas generated from bacterial decomposition of organic substances
BODThe amount of dissolved oxygen consumed by aerobic microorganism to break down organic material present in water over a
specific time period. A high BOD indicates polluted water
PVA Polyvinyl alcohol. Synthetic resin that is highly hydrophilic and water soluble
Inorganic coagulant A chemical that collects and coagulates suspended solids in water, thereby separating it from water efficiently
Organic coagulantA chemical agent that coagulates suspended solids in water. The level of its function is between that of poly-electrolyte and that
of inorganic coagulant
Utilities Electricity, steam, gas, air-conditioning, water, wastewater used by plant/building, and facilities incidental thereto
Excess sludge Mass of microorganisms, etc. cultivated to feed on the organic matter contained in waste water and break it down
Aluminum sulfate Used as an inorganic coagulant
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 201615 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 16
Information
An interview
with the P
resident
Environm
ental Benefits for
Custom
ers for FY 2016
Technological InnovationC
ustomer N
eeds
Internal Change
Topics/C
omm
unicationC
omp
any Information/
Third-P
arty Op
inion
Information
An interview
with the P
resident
Environm
ental Benefits for
Custom
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Technological InnovationC
ustomer N
eeds
Internal Change
Topics/C
omm
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omp
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100,000
80,000
90,000
70,000
0
90,994
(FY)2014 2015 2016
92,355 92,232 60,000
15,000
30,000
45,000
0
100
50
25
75
0
47,859
(FY)2014 2015 2016
54,679
33,75676.7
80.0
90.5
200,000
100,000
150,000
50,000
0
181,149
(FY)2014 2015 2016
188,543 188,709
100,000
80,000
90,000
70,000
0
90,994
(FY)2014 2015 2016
92,355 92,232 60,000
15,000
30,000
45,000
0
100
50
25
75
0
47,859
(FY)2014 2015 2016
54,679
33,75676.7
80.0
90.5
200,000
100,000
150,000
50,000
0
181,149
(FY)2014 2015 2016
188,543 188,709
100,000
80,000
90,000
70,000
0
90,994
(FY)2014 2015 2016
92,355 92,232 60,000
15,000
30,000
45,000
0
100
50
25
75
0
47,859
(FY)2014 2015 2016
54,679
33,75676.7
80.0
90.5
200,000
100,000
150,000
50,000
0
181,149
(FY)2014 2015 2016
188,543 188,709
The following reviews the results for FY2016 and the targets for FY2017.
We are working to reduce our own environmental impact by enhancing our operations and introducing new approaches.
Results in Fiscal Year Ended March 2016
*1 Kurita Group companies which are specified business operators and designated energy management factories of Kurita Water Industries
*2 Companies and sites manufacturing water treatment chemicals and facilities*3 Non-production sites: Kurita Group companies and sites other than those listed above *4 The value calculated by dividing energy consumption by production quantity, total floor area or other value closely associated with
energy consumption
To ensure compliance with the Act on Rational use of Energy of Japan (Energy Saving Act), the Kurita Group set targets for per-unit energy consumption*4 and energy consumption and made efforts to reduce energy consumption at its sites as “specified business operators” and “designated energy management factories” under the law. The Kurita Group installed inverters in pumps at ultrapure water supply sites to cut electric power consumption. It also strengthened pH control and monitoring of biological treatment equipment to reduce power consumption of aeration facilities. With these steps, the Group achieved its targets for per-unit energy consumption and energy consumption.
(Reference) CO2 emissionsEnergy consumption <A production sites> (crude oil equivalent)(kiloliters) (tons)
Energy consumption reduction
Item Targets for Fiscal Year Ended March 2016
Results in Fiscal Year Ended March 2016
Energy consumption(A production sites*1) Below 92,355 kl 92,232 kl
<Reference>
Item Results in Fiscal Year Ended March 2015
Results in Fiscal Year Ended March 2016
YoY
CO2 emissions 188,543 tons 188,709 tons 100.1%
Break-down
A production sites 182,509 tons 182,529 tons 100.0%
B Production sites*2 4,205 tons 4,392 tons 104.4%
Non-production sites*3 1,829 tons 1,788 tons 97.8%
Achiered
Waste Reduction and Increase of Recycling Rate
Item Targets for Fiscal Year Ended March 2016
Results in Fiscal Year Ended March 2016
Waste generation Below 54,679 tons 33,756 tons
Break-down
C Production sites*5 Below 53,083 tons 32,044 tons
D Production sites*6 Below 1,345 tons 1,462 tons
Non-production sites*7 Below 251 tons 250 tons
Recycling rate 80.0% or more 90.5%
Break-down
C production sites 80.2% or more 91.8%
D production sites 78.7% or more 72.9%
Non-production sites 46.1% or more 48.9%
*5 C production sites: Kurita Group companies and sites where the amount of waste generated is influenced by the production activities of specific customers
*6 D production sites: Kurita Group companies and sites engaged in R&D and the manufacture of water treatment chemicals and facilities
*7 Non-production sites: Kurita Group companies and sites other than those listed above
Waste generation
(tons)
Recycling rate
(%)
Waste generation Recycling rate *8
Recycling rate = valuable resources + Recycled resources
valuable resources + Waste generation*8
To reduce waste generation, the Kurita Group focused on improving the operation of wastewater treatment control at some ultrapure water supply sites and sludge was reduced as a result of lower loads of wastewater. Waste fluid treated by outside contractors was also reduced with the downsizing of some businesses in the precision cleaning business. As a result, on a group-wide basis, the target could be attained.
Meanwhile, the Kurita Group achieved its target for the recycling rate as a result of significant reduction in waste destined for incineration or landfill associated with the downscaling of certain businesses in the precision cleaning business and the thoroughgoing implementation of waste sorting and collection at the research and development base and individual sites.
Achiered
Achiered
Internal Change
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 201617 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 18
Case 1 Environmental improvement activities in ultrapure water supply business sites
At ultrapure water supply sites, which account for around 90% of the Kurita Group’s energy consumption, the Group continued working to reduce
per-unit energy consumption through aggressive equipment investment and operational improvements.
Case 2 Environmental improvement activities at Kurita Global Technology Center
Fully-equipped with state of-the-art facilities as the Kurita Group’s research and development center, the Kurita Global Technology Center
continued to focus on reducing per-unit energy consumption by promoting equipment investment and energy conservation measures.
2.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
0.5
0 201420132012 2015(FY)
2016
0.6
0.4
0.5
0.3 201420132012 2015(FY)
2016
Item Targets for Fiscal Year Ending March 2017 Approach
Energy consumptionReduce per-unit energy consumption by 1% or more annually in fiscal 2013 onwards
Set a target on per-unit energy consumption in crude oil equivalent on a site-by-site basis to encourage them to address their reduction targets.
Waste generation Below the previous fiscal year levelIndividual sites will set their own targets to continuously endeavor to reduce waste generation and to increase the recycling rate.
Recycling rate Above the previous fiscal year level
Targets for Fiscal Year Ending March 2017
Examples of Activities
FY Details of reductions
2013
Reduction of electric power consumption by lowering evaporator loads
Reduction of steam used for heating through insulation of primary pure water feed pipes
2014
Reduction of electric power consumption through installations of inverters in various pumps
Reduction of steam used for heating through insulation of primary pure water going and return pipes
2015
Reduction of electric power consumption by lowering evaporator loads
Reduction of electric power consumption by switching to or introducing turbo-type nitrification blowers
Reduction of city gas consumption through primary pure water heating control
2016
Reduction of electric power consumption through installations of inverters in various pumps
Reduction of electric power consumption of aeration facilities by strengthening pH control and monitoring of biological treatment facilities
FY Details of reductions
2013Reduction of electric power consumption by repairing exhaust systems of large laboratories
2014
Reduction of electric power consumption by switching lighting of large laboratories from mercury-vapor lamps to LED
Reduction of electric power consumption by fitting heat insulating window material
2015Reduction of electric power consumption by promoting switch to LED lighting within center
2016
Expansion of electric power generation through installation of additional solar panels
Reduction in use of heavy oil as fuel through introduction of energy-saving boiler
Reduction of electric power consumption by promoting switch to LED lighting within center
Trends in per-unit energy consumption
Trends in per-unit energy consumption
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Initiatives in Environmental Improvement Activities Overseas
This report introduces examples of activities for environmental benefits for customers, improvement of own
environmental impact, and communication respectively.
The Kurita Group also promoted environmental improvement activities at overseas Group companies, aiming to expand environmental benefits for customers and reduce its own environmental impact.
Environmental benefits for customersEnvironmental benefits for customers at overseas Group companies Estimates for fiscal year ended March 2016*
Activities to improve own environmental impact
The company promoted understanding of environmental improvement activities among employees by reporting data such as electric power consumption and water consumption for each site and communicating issues related to environmental improvement activities in the internal bulletin issued four times a year.
Case China/Kurita Water Industries (Dalian) Co., Ltd.
Left/ President of Hansu Technical Service (left) being presented with letter of thanks for Kurita Environment Month from Secretary (right) Center/ Hansu Technical Service employees holding their participation certificates Right/ Meeting for Discussion on Environmental Improvement Activities
Communication
The Kurita Group holds an event called the Kurita Environment Month to foster awareness about the environment among all Group employees, focusing on August each year. Hansu Technical Service Ltd., which sells and maintains water treatment facilities in South Korea, submitted the most responses of any overseas Group company, indicating the strong environmental awareness of its employees.
Case South Korea/Hansu Technical Service Ltd.
Hansu Technical Service was also the first overseas Group company to hold a “Meeting for Reflection on Environmental Improvement Activities,” to ensure that employees understand the connection between their own duties and environmental improvement activities and commit themselves to environmental improvement activities more independently. They exchanged opinions vigorously and openly at the meeting.
Annual electric power consumption reduced by 4,507 MWh
Annual water consumption reduced by 760,740 m3
Annual waste reduction 1,582 tons
* For orders received in the one-year period from January to December 2015, environmental benefits for customers for FY2016 are quantified by estimating the environmental reductions before and after the introduction of the improvement presented in the written specifications and proposals to customers at the time of receiving orders.
Overseas Group company
Country Customer TaskSolutions proposed to
customersResults
Kurita (Taiwan) Co., Ltd. Taiwan China Ecotek Corporation
•�Reduction of consumption of inorganic coagulants•�Reduction of sludge generation•�Stabilization of wastewater treatment water quality
Reduction of chemical consumption through inorganic coagulant dosing automatic control system
Reduction of chemical
consumption by
7%
Kurita do Brasil Ltda. Brazil vallourec Tubos do Brasil S.A.Decrease the volume of make-up water of the cooling towers
Recovery and reuse of treated water
Water consumption reduced by
1.5%
Further details are shown on page 13.
Further details are shown on page 14.
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 201619 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 20
The Kurita Group makes strong use of communications with the participation of employees, aiming to encourage them to be more aware of environmental improvements and to stimulate activities.
The Kurita Environment Month
The Kurita Environment Month spotlights environmental activities and awareness in the workplaces and households of all Kurita Group staff members and in local communities. It aims to build awareness to encourage activities to improve the environment. It was held for the second time in FY 2016 after being introduced in FY 2015. For a period of around one month starting from August, the Group invited experiences, eco-ideas, pictures and photos, slogans, catch phrases and poems relating to environmental improvement
from Group officers, employees and temporary workers in Japan and overseas as well as from their family members. As many as 1,040 Group employees and family members in Japan and overseas responded to the call. The responses were published on the Intranet and photos and pictures were made into a collection and distributed to those who took part. The Kurita Group will continue to hold and expand this event in the coming years.
Meeting for Discussion on Environmental Improvement Activities
At this meeting, participating members deepen their understanding of the relationship between their own duties and environmental improvement activities, reflect on what can be done as an organization to expend environmental benefits for customers or reduce their own environmental impact, and translate this into a change in behavior. The
Kurita Group will continue to create and improve this kind of communication to ensure that each employee independently focuses on environmental improvement activities, and that this translates into expansion of environmental benefits for customers and improvement of its own environmental impact.
Communication
The Kurita Group provides financial support for research
and studies and for international exchange in scientific fields
concerning water and the environment through the Kurita Water
and Environment Foundation, established in 1997 to promote
science and technology to contribute to the preservation and
creation of good water environments.
In its research grant program, the Foundation selected from
among 401 applications 89 research projects to receive financial
support for FY 2016. In addition, it offered the Kurita Water and
Environment Scientific Research Prizes of Excellence to those
researchers receiving research grants with distinguished outcomes
or social contributions. In addition, the Kurita Group carries out
a program of offering an award (Kurita Award) for the purpose of
boosting research motivation among young researchers at the
Japan Society on Water Environment, as well as an international
exchange support project for providing assistance in efforts to
address Asia’s water and environmental issues.
Commemorative photograph of award ceremony participants
Providing financial support for research and studies as well as for international exchange on water and the environment
Topics
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Corporate Data
Company name: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
Head Office Location: Nakano Central Park East, 10-1, Nakano 4-chome, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-0001, Japan
Representative: Michiya Kadota, President
Date of Establishment: July 13, 1949
Paid-in capital: ¥13,450,751,434
Number of employees: 5,481 (on a consolidated basis) 1,528 (parent company)(As of March 31, 2016)
National Network
Domestic Group Companies Overseas Group Companies
Profile
The Kurita Group comprises of the parent company, Kurita Water Industries Ltd., its 49 subsidiaries and two affiliates. The Group’s business is divided into two main categories: the water treatment chemicals business, in which we manufacture and sell water treatment chemicals, and the water treatment facilities business, in which we manufacture and sell water treatment facilities and provide related maintenance services. We have long been contributing to the development of industry and society as a leading company in the field of water treatment based on our corporate philosophy, “Study the properties of water, master them, and we will create an environment in which nature and man are in harmony.” In the21st century, which is sometimes called the “century for the environment,” we are committed to making contributions to society by achieving advanced water management with our latest products, technologies and services to ensure that water of appropriate quality and quantify will always be available, whenever and wherever it is needed.
Water Treatment Chemicals business
Water Treatment Facilities business
Sale of Water Treatment Chemicals
Kurita Buil-Tech Co., Ltd.Kurita BMS Co., Ltd.Kurita Chemicals Hokkaido Ltd.Kurita Chemicals Kanto Ltd.Kurita Chemicals Tokai LtdKurita Chemicals Hokuriku Ltd.Kurita Chemicals Kansai Ltd.Kurita Chemicals Sanyo Ltd.Kurita Chemicals West Japan Ltd.Kurita Chemicals Kumamoto Ltd.Kurita Chemicals Oita Ltd.
Manufacture of Water Treatment Chemicals
Kurita Chemical Manufacturing Ltd.
Water Quality Analysis and Environmental Analysis
Kurita Analysis Service Co. Ltd.
Sale and Maintenance of Water Treatment Facilities
Kurita Meiki Ltd.
Tool Cleaning Services
Kuritec Service Co. Ltd.
San-ei Industries Co., Ltd.
Nippon Fine Co., Ltd.
Sun Kako Co., Ltd.
Aoi Industries Co., Ltd.
Sale and Manufacture of Water Treatment Chemicals
1 Kurita-GK Chemical Co., Ltd.
2 Kurita (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.
3 Kurita Water Industries (Dalian) Co., Ltd.
4 Kurita Water Industries (Jiangyin) Co., Ltd.
5 Hansu Co., Ltd.
6 Kurita Europe GmbH
7 Kurita France S.A.S
8 Kurita Iberica SL
9 Kurita Turkey Kimya A.S.
10 Kurita Sverige AB
11 Kurita Polska SP.z.o.o.
12 Kurita do Brasil LTDA.
Manufacture and Sale of Water Treatment Facilities and Operation, Maintenance and Management of Water Treatment Facilities
13 Kurita Water Industries (Suzhou) Ltd.
14 Kuritec (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
15 Hansu Technical Service Ltd.
Manufacture and Sale of Water Treatment Chemicals and Facilities and Operation, Maintenance and Management of Water
Treatment Facilities
16 Kurita (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
17 Kurita Water (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
18 P.T. Kurita Indonesia
19 Kurita America, Inc.
Operation, Maintenance and Management of Water Treatment
Facilities
Kuritaz Co., Ltd.
Chemical Cleaning and Cleaning of Plant Facilities
Kurita Engineering Co., Ltd.Miyoshi Industries Co., Ltd.
Manufacture and Sale of Commercial Water Treatment
Equipment and Household Products
Kurita Creation Co., Ltd.
Soil and Groundwater Remediation
Land Solution Inc.Land Management Inc.
Other Affiliates
Kurita Sogo Service Co., Ltd.With Kurita Ltd.
Company Information
KuRITA GROuP ENvIRONMENTAL REPORT 201621 Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 22
As a third party, independent of the Kurita Group, we herein state our opinions with the aim of enhancing the credibility of the Kurita Group Environmental Report 2016 through an evaluation of the environmental management efforts described in the report.
To examine how the Kurita Group’s environmental management activities were planned and executed, and how environmental performance data resulting from these activities (which serve as a basis for publicly disclosed information) were evaluated and utilized, we interviewed Michiya Kadota, president of Kurita Water Industries, questioned key persons at the company’s head office and visited one of its corporate customers.
We also visited Kurita Water Industries’ Toyoura Plant to check related documents, ask questions of the persons in charge, and check whether the source documentation for publicly disclosed data is being handled systematically in a predefined manner.
Environmental Management Evaluation ReportTo: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
Outline of the purpose of this report and implemented procedures
Evaluation and comments
Contributing to reducing the environmental impacts of customers
The Kurita Group’s environmental improvement activities
The Kurita Group has been calculating environmental benefits for customers for around a decade and one of the reasons it is highly regarded by customers is that it is able to quantify the benefits for customers of reducing environmental impact. Clearly, the Group’s pioneering initiatives over the years and efforts to raise environmental awareness among all employees have facilitated environmental management and become a source of competitiveness. It is fair to say that environmental management is sufficiently entrenched within the Kurita Group.
In recent years, the Kurita Group has rapidly developed its global operations and increased overseas sales. When expanding by means such as acquisition, it is important to instill the corporate philosophy and thoroughly implement environmental management. The Group has just started accumulating numerical data such as environmental benefits for customers and reduction of its own environmental impact in its overseas operations, and we hope that the Group will draw on the expertise it has built up in its domestics operations and use such data as effective indicators. Water is likely to become a key word as a global trend in the future. The Kurita Group will be increasingly expected to clearly show the value that is created through water management.
Within the scope of our basic examination, we found no serious discrepancies in the calculation of environmental performance data.
We visited a corporate customer of the Kurita Group to interview the company about its opinion and evaluation of the Group’s proposal activities. Faced with the issue of simultaneously reducing water consumption and wastewater generation at a plant with increasing production, the Kurita Group did not simply increase the amount of recycled water and equipment but proposed the most efficient recycling system for the entire process, which in turn solved the problem. At a plant in a location where it is difficult to secure industrial water, reducing water consumption is crucial for stable operation and reducing wastewater generation through the recycling of water lessens environmental impact. This system was a proposal that curbed costs and also took the equipment installation space into consideration, and it was highly rated by the customer. This would also be a very effective system for plants with similar restrictions and gives a sense of the competitiveness of such proposals. We believe that companies with a high level of environmental awareness find the Kurita Group’s proposals more attractive and rate them more highly. We hope that the Kurita Group will continue to work with corporate customers to reduce environmental impact in the future.
We visited the Kurita Group’s Toyoura Plant, which is in charge of regenerating and refining ion exchange resin in Western Japan, to interview some of its personnel involved in environmental improvement activities and take a look at their activities.With production increasing, the plant has achieved reductions in energy consumption and produced significant benefits through the synergistic effect of incremental investment in equipment and improvement in day-to-day activities. This is highly commendable. The Toyoura Plant has created a system of cooperation whereby it integrates activities with partner companies, partner companies also fully understand the Kurita Group’s environmental management and work together to promote environmental management. This is extremely important at a time when environmental management throughout the supply chain is regarded as important.
We also observed the status of management of numerical data at the Toyoura Plant and found that both the plant and its partner companies manage numerical data appropriately.
June 13, 2016Institute for Environmental Management Accounting
Katsuhiko Kokubu (Director/ Professor at Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe University)Eriko Nashioka (Representative Director/CPA & Certified Public Tax Accountant)
To ensure the disclosure of highly reliable information on a continual basis and to improve the quality of our environmental management, we ask the Institute for Environmental Management and Accounting (IEMA), as a third party, to give us their opinion concerning our environmental activities.
Third-Party Opinion
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