Progress in Incorporating the SDGs into Our Management Approach

Product and Technological Development Aimed at Addressing Global Warming

We manufacture chemical products through the operation of electrical furnaces and chemical plants, which require the stable supply of reasonably-priced energy. In the course of a history spanning more than 100 years, Denka has grappled with and overcome a number of hardships that might have otherwise put an end to its operations.
Drawing on lessons learned from this experience, Denka is expanding capacities of its facilities that generate renewable energy while endeavoring to reduce energy consumptions at each manufacturing base. Moreover, Denka is striving to counter global warming via the provision of products and services.
Today, researchers are scrutinizing the proactive use of CO₂ to facilitate organic compound synthesis, accelerate photonic synthesis in microalgae and support the growth of agricultural crops. Based on the results of this research, we hope to establish unique carbon capture & utilization (CCU) technologies that help improve our products’ CO₂ utilization and thus cut the amount released into the atmosphere.

• Thermally conductive materials:
  Materials used as thermal solutions in a variety of devices, such as vehicle-mounted electrical components, digital home appliances, power modules, switched-mode power supplies, LED lights, flat panel displays and solar cells, helping reduce their energy consumption and lengthen product life
• Food packaging materials:
  Striving to reduce the thickness and overall bulk of food containers and thereby helping cut the volume of plastics used while promoting the use of bioplastics
• Phosphor:
  Contributing to the popularization of LED and a switchover to energy-saving lighting equipment

CO₂-SUICOM, an Eco-Friendly Concrete That Completely Offsets CO₂ Emissions

Denka has developed CO₂-SUICOM, a pioneering product in the CCU technologies field, which manufacturers worldwide are now seeking to develop. This concrete product was co-developed by Denka, the Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc., Kajima Corporation and LANDES Co., Ltd., utilizing a carbonization agent dubbed “LEAF.” Developed by Denka, this cement additive increases concrete’s absorption of CO₂ in the course of curing and hardening. Thanks to this unique property, CO₂-SUICOM production yields a net CO₂ emissions volume of zero or less. Also, because CO₂-SUICOM completes hardening via deliberate carbonization, the finished product is virtually pH neutral and has little negative effects on plants or other organisms.
With a solid reputation as an innovative CCU solution, CO₂-SUICOM won Denka the 2014 Environment Minister’s Award for Global Warming Prevention Activity and the Chairperson’s Award under the 13th Eco-Products Awards program sponsored by Eco-Products Awards Steering Committee.

Systematic Resource Recycling via Cement Production

Denka’s Omi Plant accepts waste emitted by communities across Japan as materials and fuels for cement production. Specifically, we accept sludge from water supply and sewage treatment systems, debris from disaster-hit areas and waste soil from construction sites as well as waste oil, plastics and tires recovered via automobile disassembly in addition to automobile shredder residue. Furthermore, we accept coal ash, plaster, slag and other byproducts from thermal power stations and steelworks. Most of these byproducts are otherwise destined to be disposed of via landfill. The resources we accept vary largely in shape and composition, and include a number of items that are unstable. Accordingly, we pay close attention to the safe handling of these materials and maintain the quality of the cement while leveraging sophisticated facility management techniques.
In these ways, our cement business is playing a critical role in collective efforts to protect the environment of and promote resource recycling in local communities. Thus, this business exemplifies an excellent “creating shared value” (CSV) initiative as it helps improve business profitability while at the same time making social contributions.

Company-Run Hydroelectric Power Plants

Since its founding in 1915, Denka has been engaged in the construction and operation of hydroelectric power plants. Currently, Denka owns 10 power plants and is a co-owner of five more, securing a robust network of power plants spanning Niigata and Nagano prefectures. All of these facilities are located in steep mountain ranges where they employ a natural inflow type hydroelectric power generation system, a water intake method that takes full advantage of height differences attributable to the surrounding landscape to efficiently drive turbine runners. These facilities are thus designed to minimize environmental footprints attributable to their operations.
Among these, our Kotakigawa Power Plant boasts a history spanning nearly 100 years. While cherishing this historical facility, which has been in operation since 1921, we are also promoting facility upgrades aimed at improving power generation efficiency and the construction of new hydroelectric power plants. The construction of new hydroelectric power plants entails a number of major challenges due to the lengthy period of time necessary for construction and considerable costs. However, we are determined to promote the use of renewable energy by taking advantage of the longstanding accumulation of our know-how in this field. To this end, we will facilitate the understanding of and win the support of local communities while utilizing government subsidy programs. In this way, we contribute to sustainable social development and thereby fulfill our social responsibilities.