JSR keeps our SOx and NOx 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, South Kashima Power Plant, Inc.)
• Introduction of denitrification equipment and low-NOx burners

Through full management of the abovementioned measures, we will continue to maintain our current levels.

• SOx and NOx emissions → JSR Group ESG Data (PDF: 344KB)

JSR has set a voluntary target even higher than that of the government and industry groups to reduce VOC emissions by 75% compared to the FY2000 level. Under that aim, we are making large-scale capital investments and taking other actions to reduce 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 FY2021 were 572 tons (81% reduction as compared to FY2000), and thus we continue to meet our voluntary target.

We spun off our Elastomers Business in April 2022. If we make an estimate based on the post-spin-off boundary, our VOC emissions become 11 tons.

We will maintain our current level of emissions through various emission reduction measures and management activities.

*1 VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds.

JSR works to control freon 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 Japan.

To properly promote efforts, we have 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 FY2021 amounted to 462 t-CO₂ after CO₂ conversion (reporting to the government is mandatory for leaks of 1,000 t-CO₂ or more).

In addition, we are introducing a system, including at Group companies, to collectively and electronically manage documents in response to a revision to the Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons (requiring, among other things, the storage of more documents) on April 1, 2020.

We will continue to appropriately manage leaks and link our efforts to control leaks.

JSR complies with total emission controls in terms of water quality for COD, nitrogen and phosphorous in wastewater. We have strived to maintain and improve water quality through rigorous wastewater management at all of our plants.

Nitrogen regulations were tightened in Mie Prefecture where our Yokkaichi Plant is located in the 8th Total Pollutant Load Control. Nonetheless, we have continued to satisfy the standards in the regulations by continuing initiatives to improve water quality.

We will continue to strictly monitor water quality. At the same time, we will work to reduce the burden caused by the wastewater discharged from our plants into enclosed coastal seas.

• Environmental Load (COD emissions, total nitrogen emissions, total phosphorus emissions) → JSR Group ESG Data（PDF: 344KB）

JSR regularly conducts fixed-point studies of soil and groundwater (observation wells) at each of its plants. As in previous years, no problems in the soil environment at our plants were found in FY2021.

Additionally, whenever we plan construction that involves changing the soil’s form and nature over an area exceeding 900 m², we voluntarily conduct a soil survey beforehand.
In FY2021, fluorine concentration exceeding the standard values established by ordinance were detected in a voluntary survey conducted in our Yokkaichi Plant. In response to that, we notified the authorities of our discovery of the contamination. We then took appropriate measures in accordance with the laws and ordinances.

Based on the Act on the Assessment of Releases of Specified Chemical Substances in the Environment and the Promotion of Management Improvement (Chemicals Management Act) in Japan, 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.

Together with this, we have systematically implemented a range of measures primarily for substances that are highly hazardous or are emitted in significant amounts and that 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 of these efforts, our atmospheric emissions of designated chemical substances in FY2021 were 118 tons. That means we achieved a 95% reduction compared to FY2000.

JSR spun off our Elastomers Business in April 2022. If we make an estimate based on the post-spin-off boundary, our atmospheric emissions become 6 tons.

We will continue to maintain atmospheric emissions at the current level through full implement of the above-mentioned measures in the future. At the same time, we will proceed with advance preparations to respond to future legal revisions (reexamination of the substances subject to notification).

*2 PRTR: Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers. This is one of the systems stipulated by the Chemicals Management Act.

• Emissions of main chemical substances → JSR Group ESG Data (PDF: 344KB)

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 in Japan 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. We will also take steps to respond to scheduled revisions of the Air Pollution Control Act in Japan.

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 strive to improve the local environment based on the opinions we receive through 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. Additionally, we are working to further diminish odors with continuous improvement activities by sealing off sources of foul odors and spraying a special deodorant that we developed with a deodorant manufacturer.

We will continue striving to maintain our basic policy of improving the local environment.

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

JSR is making investments to maintain and improve the environment, safety and health on an ongoing basis in accordance with our medium-term capital investment plan. In FY2021, our investments totaled 4.4 billion yen combining investments in safety equipment (e.g., for prevention of workplace accidents and replacement of aging equipment) and in environmental facilities. We will continue these efforts in the future.