Appropriate Chemical Substance Management
Environment (E)
- Long-Term Environmental Vision and Environment 2029V
- Environmental Management
- Responding to Climate Change
- Responding to Water Risks
- Contributing to a Resource-Recycling Society
- Contributing to a Society in Harmony with Nature
- Appropriate Chemical Substance Management
- Environmental Communication
- Environmentally Friendly Products
Shareholders and Investors, Suppliers and Other Trade Partners, Employees, Global Environment
Basic Approach
The Sumitomo Riko Group uses a variety of chemical substances, including raw materials for products, sub-materials used in production processes, and CFCs used in air conditioning equipment.
Chemical substances can have a negative impact on the global environment by causing soil and groundwater contamination through the disposal of products containing them, or by being released into rivers and the atmosphere through leakage or evaporation during production processes.
Meanwhile, chemical substance regulations are being tightened year by year, especially in Europe. Therefore, we are promoting safe and secure products manufacturing by strengthening our efforts to properly manage chemical substances, including the selection of chemical substances to be used, the establishment of management systems, and training for employees.
Chemical substances can have a negative impact on the global environment by causing soil and groundwater contamination through the disposal of products containing them, or by being released into rivers and the atmosphere through leakage or evaporation during production processes.
Meanwhile, chemical substance regulations are being tightened year by year, especially in Europe. Therefore, we are promoting safe and secure products manufacturing by strengthening our efforts to properly manage chemical substances, including the selection of chemical substances to be used, the establishment of management systems, and training for employees.
Chemicals Management in the Supply Chain
We have established a database of raw materials to prevent the use of prohibited substances and the mixing of by-products during product design, material procurement and manufacturing.
This allows us to provide products that meet the laws and regulations of each country and the requirements of customers.
This allows us to provide products that meet the laws and regulations of each country and the requirements of customers.
Compliance with Overseas Chemical Substance Regulations
Sumitomo Riko exports materials, parts, and products to overseas Group production bases.
With the cooperation of our suppliers and importers, we are appropriately complying with regulations such as the REACH Regulation in Europe, China's Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances*1, and Measures for the Registration and Management of Hazardous Chemicals*2 and TSCA*3 in the United States.
*1 Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances: Regulations on chemical substance registration in China
*2 Measures for the Registration and Management of Hazardous Chemicals: Regulations for the management of hazardous substances in China
*3 TSCA: Regulations on chemical registration and hazardous substance management in the U.S.
With the cooperation of our suppliers and importers, we are appropriately complying with regulations such as the REACH Regulation in Europe, China's Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances*1, and Measures for the Registration and Management of Hazardous Chemicals*2 and TSCA*3 in the United States.
*1 Measures for the Environmental Management Registration of New Chemical Substances: Regulations on chemical substance registration in China
*2 Measures for the Registration and Management of Hazardous Chemicals: Regulations for the management of hazardous substances in China
*3 TSCA: Regulations on chemical registration and hazardous substance management in the U.S.
Management of Chemical Substances in Purchased Products
Total amount of discharged and transferred of PRTR-controlled substances
The Sumitomo Riko Group provides rubber and plastic products such as automotive parts, office equipment parts, and industrial products which are manufactured using raw materials containing various chemical substances. In order to minimize the various risks of chemical substances, we are striving for appropriate management in each of the following areas: prevention of pollution in local communities, ensuring workplace safety, and compliance with customer requirements for our products. In Japan, we monitor and control chemical substances in accordance with the PRTR Law.
Selection and Management of Substances to be Controlled
In order to prevent the release of regulated substances, Sumitomo Riko manages chemical substances in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country, mainly the European ELV Directive*4, RoHS Directive*5, REACH Regulation*6, domestic laws and regulations, GADSL*7, and IEC62474*8, as well as customer requirements. Specifically, we provide safe and secure products by thoroughly understanding the roles and management methods of each department.
*4 ELV Directive: End of Life Vehicles Directive in Europe (EU member states)
*5 RoHS Directive: Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Europe
*6 REACH Regulation: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals in Europe
*7 GADSL: Global Automotive Declarable Substance List
*8 IEC62474: Material Declaration for Products of and for the Electrotechnical Industry
*4 ELV Directive: End of Life Vehicles Directive in Europe (EU member states)
*5 RoHS Directive: Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment in Europe
*6 REACH Regulation: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals in Europe
*7 GADSL: Global Automotive Declarable Substance List
*8 IEC62474: Material Declaration for Products of and for the Electrotechnical Industry
Efforts to Reduce Air Pollutants
VOCs*9 emitted into the atmosphere react with ultraviolet rays of sunlight, causing photochemical oxidants and suspended particulate matter. Of the raw materials used by our group, VOCs, which are mainly contained in adhesives used for bonding rubber to metal fittings, rubber glue for hoses, and anti-rust paint for metal fittings, are released into the atmosphere as they dry.
Therefore, we are working to reduce VOC emissions during the use of adhesive processing machines by developing spray guns with high coating efficiency, and by using water-based paints. We will continue our efforts and work with suppliers on new themes, such as the use of water-based adhesives.
Therefore, we are working to reduce VOC emissions during the use of adhesive processing machines by developing spray guns with high coating efficiency, and by using water-based paints. We will continue our efforts and work with suppliers on new themes, such as the use of water-based adhesives.
VOC emissions (Sumitomo Riko)
*9 VOC: Volatile Organic Compounds
*10 The scope of the aggregation is Sumitomo Riko Company Limited.
*11 Denominator of intensity is net sales (after elimination of internal transactions).
*12 Figures are based on the "Voluntary Action Plan for VOC Emission Reduction" of the Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association.
*10 The scope of the aggregation is Sumitomo Riko Company Limited.
*11 Denominator of intensity is net sales (after elimination of internal transactions).
*12 Figures are based on the "Voluntary Action Plan for VOC Emission Reduction" of the Japan Rubber Manufacturers Association.
Management of VOC/Vulcanization Gas Treatment Equipment
VOC/Vulcanization gas treatment equipment is directly connected to production facilities, and there is a risk that production may be halted due to problems such as "fire" or "exceeding emission limits due to failure." We have prepared a guidebook for each of our bases that outlines precautions to be taken in the design and operation of this treatment equipment, and are working to raise awareness of these issues. In order to prevent the recurrence of recent equipment failures, the guidebook includes examples of such malfunctions, their presumed causes, and preventive measures.
Case Studies
Control measures of VOC, vulcanization gas, and other emissions at overseas bases
①VOC Reduction Measures
In order to comply with stricter laws and regulations on VOC emissions in various countries, the Sumitomo Riko Group is reducing the amount of VOCs used and introducing combustion-type and absorption-type VOC treatment equipment at its bases in China, the United States, Poland, and other countries that have strict regulations on the concentration of VOCs released into the atmosphere.
②Vulcanization Gas Measures
In China, the Central ecological and environmental protection inspection in 2016 initiated stricter environmental regulations and many companies were punished. Our group companies were also strongly required by the authorities to comply with NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbon) emission concentrations generated during rubber mixing and vulcanization. We have successively introduced specialized vulcanization gas treatment equipment that uses combustion methods and photocatalyst to meet the standards.
Soil and Groundwater Remediation
We have been systematically and continuously purifying groundwater contaminated by the past use of chlorinated solvents at the Komaki Plant, Matsusaka Plant, and Saitama Plant, and have reported the results to the government.
Case Studies
Komaki Plant
Since June 2001, we have been conducting the purification and monitoring at the Komaki plant using the pumped water aeration method. The concentration of contaminants has gradually decreased and the purification effect has been recognized.
In FY2015, we additionally implemented purification using the anaerobic bioremediation, and are now proceeding with purification using the pumped water aeration method.
In FY2015, we additionally implemented purification using the anaerobic bioremediation, and are now proceeding with purification using the pumped water aeration method.
Matsusaka Plant
Since December 2005, we have been conducting the purification and monitoring at the Matsusaka plant using the pumped water aeration method. The concentration of contaminants has gradually decreased sequentially and the purification effect has been recognized.
Saitama Plant
Since March 2007, we have been conducting the purification and monitoring at the Saitama plant using the pumped water aeration method. The concentration of contaminants has gradually decreased and the purification effect has been recognized. We are also attempting purification by anaerobic bio-method, and have conducted it three times in 2007, 2017, and 2019 to promote purification.
Proper Management of Ozone-Depleting Substances
To protect the ozone layer and prevent global warming, we are promoting the control of the release of CFCs into the atmosphere and the adoption of natural refrigerants. At Sumitomo Riko, the amount of leakage in FY2023 was 54.9t-CO2eq in accordance with the Law for CFC Emission Control. We are managing operation through periodic inspections and proper disposal and collection in accordance with the law. We will continue to systematically renew equipment and reduce the use of fluorocarbons.
Proper Storage of PCB Equipment
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), which are nonflammable, chemically stable, and have high electrical insulation properties, have been used by our group in high-voltage transformers and capacitors. However, the enactment of the Stockholm Convention (POPs Convention) and the laws and regulations of various countries have resulted in a general ban on the manufacture and use of PCBs, requiring strict storage management and systematic waste disposal.
The Sumitomo RIko Group had been aware of the existence of PCB waste and had been systematically promoting proper waste disposal in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country, as well as storing the waste appropriately. With the completion of the disposal of highly concentrated PCB waste at the Matsusaka Plant in the spring of 2020, all disposal of highly concentrated PCB waste in Japan was completed.
The Sumitomo RIko Group had been aware of the existence of PCB waste and had been systematically promoting proper waste disposal in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country, as well as storing the waste appropriately. With the completion of the disposal of highly concentrated PCB waste at the Matsusaka Plant in the spring of 2020, all disposal of highly concentrated PCB waste in Japan was completed.
Response to Asbestos
Asbestos has been widely used in building materials and equipment components as a material with excellent heat and fire resistance, insulation, and sound insulation properties. However, the relationship between asbestos and health hazards has been scientifically clarified, and its use is now regulated or prohibited in many countries including Japan.
In 2017, our group conducted a reexamination of asbestos use in buildings and other facilities, and confirmed that there was no problem.
We have promptly taken measures such as containment and enclosure for newly identified materials and objects, and are taking appropriate management and treatment measures. In addition, we have prepared a countermeasure guidebook that outlines the proper management of asbestos and precautions to be taken when repairing or removing asbestos, which is used as an educational material.
In 2017, our group conducted a reexamination of asbestos use in buildings and other facilities, and confirmed that there was no problem.
We have promptly taken measures such as containment and enclosure for newly identified materials and objects, and are taking appropriate management and treatment measures. In addition, we have prepared a countermeasure guidebook that outlines the proper management of asbestos and precautions to be taken when repairing or removing asbestos, which is used as an educational material.
Future Issues and Responses
In order to comply with chemical substance regulations, which are becoming stricter year by year, and which differ from country to country and customer to customer, traceability from purchased raw materials to shipped products and emissions is important.
We will expand our current database of purchased raw materials for shipped products and build a database that allows us to collectively manage all shipped products, thereby creating a system that will allow us to quickly switch to new regulations.
We will expand our current database of purchased raw materials for shipped products and build a database that allows us to collectively manage all shipped products, thereby creating a system that will allow us to quickly switch to new regulations.