1. HOME
  2. CSR
  3. Social Issues Attributable to JSR Group's Corporate Activity / Environmental Conservation
Evaluation by Outside Organization

Social Issues Attributable to JSR Group's Corporate Activity / Environmental Conservation (Other Environmental Impact Reduction Efforts)

1. Protection of Atmospheric, Water, and Soil Environments

JSR endeavors to protect the environment by complying with such laws as the Air Pollution Control Act, Water Pollution Prevention Act, and Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act and thereby avoid polluting the air, water or soil (including groundwater).

(1) Protection of the Atmospheric Environment

1) Initiatives to reduce emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)

JSR keeps its emissions below regulatory values by implementing various measures, including those described below.

  • Installation of flue gas desulfurization equipment (Yokkaichi Plant: in-house power generation)
  • Fuel conversion (from heavy oil to public utility gas) (FY2013, Kashima Plant [Kashima South Joint Power Corporation])
  • Introduction of denitrification equipment and low-NOx burners

We will maintain current levels through full management of the above-mentioned measures.

2) Initiatives for the Reduction of VOCs*1 Emissions into the Atmosphere

Setting a voluntary target that is even higher than that of the government and JCIA (specifically, to reduce emissions of VOCs by 75% compared to the FY2000 level), JSR is making large-scale capital investments and taking other actions to reduce its emissions.

  • Installation of regenerative thermal oxidizer (synthetic rubber finishing system flue gas treatment) (FY2006-2009; 5 devices at 3 plants)
  • Operational improvements (e.g., enhancing airtightness of release points, using a closed system for chemical sampling)
  • Preventing leaks (valves, axle seals, etc.)

As a result, our VOCs emissions in FY2018 were 536 tons (82% reduction as compared to FY2000), and thus we continue to meet our voluntary target. We will maintain our current voluntary target levels through full management of the above-mentioned measures.

*1 VOCs = Volatile Organic Compounds.

VOCs Emissions

VOCs Emissions

3) Preventing freon leaks

JSR works to control leaks when using Class-1 Specified Equipment, including industrial air conditioners, refrigerators, and freezers, based on the Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons.

In order to properly promote efforts to control freon leaks, we prepared management standards that expand the scope of management to include all devices that use freon (including those that are not designated products) and are continuing to manage leaks based on them. Our freon leaks in FY2018 amounted to 266 t-CO2 after CO2 conversion (reporting to the government is mandatory for leaks of 1,000 t-CO2 or more).
We will continue to appropriately manage leaks and link our efforts to leak control.

(2) Protection of Water Environments

JSR performs rigorous wastewater management at all of its plants, and strives to maintain and improve water quality. JSR has been in full compliance with the 7th Total Pollutant Load Control that was put into operation in April 2012. It should be noted that nitrogen regulations in Mie Prefecture, where our Yokkaichi Plant is located, were strengthened in the 8th Total Pollutant Load Control. We have achieved a level that meets the 8th Total Pollutant Load Control’s requirements by continuing to take steps to improve water quality. We will continue to strictly monitor water quality and strive to further reduce our impact on water.

(3) Protection of Soil Environments

JSR regularly conducts fixed-point studies of soil and groundwater (observation wells) at each of its plants. As in previous years, no problems were found in FY2018.
Additionally, whenever we plan construction that involves changing the soil’s form and nature over an area exceeding 3,000 m2, we voluntarily conduct a soil survey beforehand. In FY2018, fluorine and lead exceeding base values were detected in a voluntary survey conducted in the Yokkaichi Plant. We notified the authorities of our discovery of contamination and took appropriate measures in accordance with the law.

2. Measures Targeting PRTR*2 Substances

Based on the Act on Confirmation, etc. of Release Amounts of Specific Chemical Substances in the Environment and Promotion of Improvements to the Management Thereof, JSR aggregates the amount of designated chemical substances emitted into the environment (atmosphere, water and soil), transferred by manufacturing, or used in the previous year, and notifies the government of Japan of the results. We have systematically implemented a range of measures primarily for substances that are highly hazardous or are emitted in significant amounts and have a great impact on the environment. Such measures include enhancing the airtightness of substance release sources, rendering substances harmless by incineration, and improving manufacturing processes.
As a result, our atmospheric emissions in FY2018 (95 tons) amounted to a 96% reduction as compared to FY2000.
We will maintain current levels through full management of the above-mentioned measures.

*2 PRTR: Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers

PRTR Emissions

3. Asbestos Measures

JSR conducted a survey of locations sprayed with materials containing asbestos in all of its facilities, including Group companies. For those places that were identified as a result, we undertook removal and enclosure work in accordance with the Ordinance on Prevention of Health Impairment due to Asbestos. This work was completed in FY2006.

In addition, whenever we demolish structures, we take appropriate measures based on the Air Pollution Control Act and Ordinance on Prevention of Health Impairment due to Asbestos to ensure that no workers or others nearby suffer health problems due to exposure to asbestos.

4. Improving the Local Environment

JSR values the opinions of people living near its manufacturing and research bases, and considers high transparency of plant operations to be the key to improving the local environment. With this in mind, we have strived to improve the local environment by implementing monitoring and tours of environmental equipment at regular intervals.

In FY2006 and FY2007, we installed equipment to incinerate dry synthetic rubber dry exhaust (RTO*3) at the Yokkaichi, Kashima, and Chiba plants to prevent foul odors. In FY2008, a ground flare was installed at the Yokkaichi Plant to prevent noise and flashes. As a result of our commitment to maintaining such environment-friendly equipment, we received no environmental complaints between FY2008 to FY2018.
We will continue striving to maintain our basic policy of improving the local environment.

*3 RTO (Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer): A device that combusts breaks down VOCs into water and CO2 to make emissions clear

Dried-synthetic rubber waste incinerator (Kashima Plant)

Dried-synthetic rubber waste incinerator (Kashima Plant)

Ground flare (Yokkaichi Plant)

Ground flare (Yokkaichi Plant)

Number of Environmental Complaints (JSR and Domestic Group Companies)

FY20142015201620172018
No. of environmental complaintsOdor00000
Noise00000
Vibration00000
Other00000

5. Environmental Accounting

  • Policy

    JSR introduced environmental accounting in FY1999 with the following two objectives

    1. To strive to quantify the amount of resources invested into the environment and implement sound measures for the environment.
    2. To publish environmental accounting and increase corporate transparency.

  • Scope

    JSR Corporation - JSR Head Office, Yokkaichi Plant, Chiba Plant, Kashima Plant, Yokkaichi Research Laboratories, Tsukuba Research Laboratories, and Nagoya Branch

  • Target Period

    April 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019

  • Underlying Assumptions regarding Aggregation and Calculation

    1. Calculations are performed in accordance with the Environmental Accounting Guidelines, 2005 edition (Ministry of the Environment) and environmental guidelines used in the chemical industry (issued by the Japan Chemical Industry Association and the Japan Responsible Care Council).
    2. While the calculation of costs was based mainly on actual results, the calculation of some expenses was based on underlying assumptions.
    3. Economic effects were substantial and did not include conversions of risk aversion effects or deemed effects into monetary amounts.

(1) Environmental Protection Costs

(Unit: one million yen)
Classification Content of main activities
Figures in parentheses express millions of yen.		 Investment Expense
FY2017 FY2018 FY2017 FY2018
(1) Business area costs   584 1,022 4,017 4,515
Breakdown (1)-1
Pollution prevention costs		 Investments: Water pollution (Drainage piping upgrade [primary effluent, etc.], general drainage facility aeration tank reinforcement, etc.)
Expenses: Air pollution prevention, maintenance and management, etc.		 346 743 1,577 1,823
(1) -2
Global environmental protection costs		 Investments: In-house power generation, etc.
Expenses: Maintenance of in-house power generation, etc.		 75 94 890 975
(1) -3
Resource circulation costs		 Investments: Upgrade of industrial waste processing facilities, upgrade of fluidized bed furnace refractories, etc.
Expenses: industrial waste recycling, treatment costs, etc.		 164 185 1,550 1,717
(2) Upstream/downstream costs   0 0 0 0
(3) Management activity costs Expenses: Environmental impact monitoring, ISO 14001 maintenance and operation, etc. 15 25 485 502
(4) Research and development costs Expenses: Development of environmentally friendly products, tests for legal applications, etc. 0 0 1,384 1,116
(5) Social activity costs Expenses: Donations to environmental protection organizations, support for ICETT, etc. 0 0 41 47
(6) Environmental pollution response costs   0 0 0 0
Total 599 1,047 5,927 6,180

(2) Environmental Protection Effects

Effect Index Unit FY2017 FY2018 Difference*3 Related information
Environmental effects related to resources used in business activities Total energy consumption (crude oil equivalent) kL 266,400 269,400 3,000 For more information
Use of resources designated under PRTR Act tons 739,300 725,700 -13,600 For more information
Water consumption 1,000 m3 14,300 15,300 1,000 For more information
Environmental protection effects related to environmental impact and waste emitted from business activities GHG emissions tons 653,200 666,100 12,900 For more information
SOx emissions tons 5 4 -1 For more information
NOx emissions tons 335 308 -27 For more information
PRTR substance emissions tons 121 98 -23 For more information
Total amount of wastewater 1,000 m3 12,100 12,500 400 For more information
Chemical Oxygen Demand emissions tons 457 479 22 For more information
Total nitrogen emissions tons 156 128 -28 For more information
Total phosphorus emissions tons 1 1 0 For more information
Waste materials from plants tons 23,200 20,300 -2,900 For more information
Off-site recycling tons 22,500 20,000 -2,500 For more information
Reduced volume of waste treated off-site tons 670 239 -431 For more information
Waste materials from plants disposed of by landfill tons 0 0 0 For more information
PRTR materials transported tons 445 328 -117 For more information
Other environmental effects Products transported million ton-kilometer 534 514 -20 For more information
During transport GHG emissions tons 24,400 24,200 -200 For more information
Number of environmental complaints
(Odor, noise, and vibration)		 cases 0 0 0 For more information

*3 Improvement from previous years has not been corrected in terms of the production volume.

(3) Economical Effects of Environmental Protection Measures
-Substantial Effect-

(Unit: million yen)
Effect (for one year) Benefit
FY2017 FY2018
Cost reduction By saving energy 185 75
By saving resources 51 124
By treating waste on-site 397 343
Total 633 542

(4) Consolidated Accounting

(Unit: one million yen)
Investments Expense Benefit
FY2017 FY2018 FY2017 FY2018 FY2017 FY2018
JSR 599 1,047 5,927 6,181 634 542
Domestic Group companies total 110 363 1,558 2,241 174 194
Total*4 709 1,410 7,486 8,422 808 736

*4 Total of JSR and nine domestic Group companies (Techno UMG’s Otake Plant and Ube Plant were added in FY2018)

6. Investments in Environmental and Safety Equipment

JSR makes continuous investments in the environment and safety. In FY2018, our investments in various types of environmental equipment (e.g., for energy conservation, wastewater treatment, etc.) and various types of safety equipment (e.g., for prevention of workplace accidents, replacement of aging equipment, and preparations for major earthquakes) totaled 8.7 billion yen. We will continue actively making investments to maintain and improve the environment, safety, and health in accordance with our medium-term capital investment plan.

Investments in Environmental and Safety Equipment

7. Maintenance Management Information Regarding Waste Treatment Facilities, By-Product Reduction Plan

* Only Japanese version available.

(1) Maintenance Management Information regarding Waste Treatment Facilities (Yokkaichi Plant)

1) Maintenance Management Information

2) Periodic Inspection Notifications

3) Licensing

(2) By-product Reduction Plan Based on Laws Promoting the Effective Use of Resources