Protection of the Atmospheric Environment

Boiler Emissions Countermeasures

The Yokkaichi Plant installed flue gas desulfurizers to reduce emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), and is generating its own power. JSR has also cut emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) substantially by installing proprietary burners with low NOx emissions and denitrification equipment. A change in boiler operating conditions at the Minami Kyodo Power Station, which supplies energy to the Kashima Plant, resulted in higher SOx emissions in FY2009 (April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009). JSR will continue to use the best technology for reducing emissions and make continuous improvements.

Regarding PRTR

PRTR¹Activities

The PRTR Law² was enacted in July 1999, and enforced in March 2000. Accordingly, it is now necessary to report PRTR results starting with FY2002. The Japan Chemical Industry Association prioritized PRTR and implemented it ahead of other industries in FY1996, and the scope of the survey has increased each year since then. As a member of the association, JSR continually implement the survey.
The FY2009 results according to the PRTR Law were as follows.

1  Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR): A system for registering the emission and movement of environmental pollutants

2  PRTR Law: Law Concerning Reporting, etc. of Releases to the Environment of Specific Chemical Substances and Promoting Improvements in Their Management

Initiatives for Reducing VOC Emissions into the Atmosphere

JSR has long taken measures to reduce atmospheric releases of chemicals, but the FY2005 amendment to the Air Pollution Control Law expanded application to all volatile organic compounds (VOCs). JSR has installed equipment to incinerate dried synthetic rubber waste at its three plants as a measure for reducing VOCs, and VOC emissions were 65% lower in FY2009 than FY2001, reaching our target. Emissions of 1,3-butadiene, acrylonitrile, and styrene also met the reduction targets for FY2009. We will continue working to reduce VOC emissions in the future.

Preservation of Water Quality

JSR performs rigorous wastewater management at all its plants and strives to maintain and improve water quality. JSR is in full compliance with the Sixth Total Volume Regulations that came into effect in April 2009. We will continue strict monitoring of water quality and will work to further reduce our impact on water quality even further.

Assessment of Soil and Groundwater Pollution

The ground water (Environmental Quality Standards for Groundwater Pollution) and soil (major items regulated under environmental standards) at all three plants are periodically inspected. As a result, similar to previous years, no problems were found in FY2009.

Asbestos Measures

In accordance with the Ordinance on Prevention of Hazards Due to Asbestos, JSR carried out surveys on locations where asbestos-containing materials had been sprayed at all facilities (offices, production floors, R&D centers and employee recreational areas) and including all Group companies. As such, plants completed removal and enclosure procedures at applicable locations in FY2007. We are now investigating replacement by non-asbestos materials regarding gaskets and other devices containing asbestos, and plan to successively make substitutes starting with materials of which safety has been confirmed.

PCB Management

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is a highly toxic chemical that does not readily break down and is commonly used in transformers, capacitors, and other devices. JSR stopped using PCB in 92% of its electrical equipment and strictly stocks and manages PCB in accordance with applicable law. We also intend to steadily replace equipment currently containing PCB in accordance with a replacement plan. Under the Law concerning Special Measures for Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Wastes, JSR is obligated to complete the processing of all PCB by 2016, and JSR and its Group companies have already completed registration of electrical equipment containing PCB with PCB waste processing facilities. In FY2009, we transferred 39 such units to processing facilities.

Measurement of Ozone-depleting Substances

JSR totally abolished use of carbon tetrachloride in 1994. We are systematically replacing designated equipment containing chlorofluorocarbons with those employing chlorofluorocarbon substitutes. We are also thinking about switching to new chlorofluorocarbon substitutes or other alternatives to chlorofluorocarbon coolants with zero ozone depletion factor.

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