We are strengthening our environmental management with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Message from the Supervisor of Environmental Measures Promotion

Policy on the Prevention of Environmental Pollution

Denka strives to accurately gauge the volume of environmental load substances emitted from production facilities run by its Group companies while continuously working to reduce them. These substances include greenhouse gases, such as CO₂, SOx (sulfur oxides), NOx (nitrogen oxides), soot and dust, BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), COD (chemical oxygen demand), and other substances designated by the PRTR Law (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Law). With marine plastic waste becoming a social issue, we are also focusing our efforts on reducing and recycling plastic waste as stipulated in the Law for Promotion of Recycling of Plastic Resources, which came into force in April 2022.
We will actively introduce equipment to remove substances that have a negative environmental impact, comply with voluntary management standards that are stricter than those set by relevant laws and regulations, and continue to strive to reduce the amount of environmental load substances.

Roadmap to FY2050

Denka announced in FY2020 that it would be carbon neutral by FY2050. As a milestone, we have established the interim target of reducing CO₂ emissions by 50% (compared to FY2013) by FY2030.
Annual emissions from Denka and its Group companies in FY2021 increased compared to the previous year, when plant operations declined significantly due to the outbreak of COVID-19. However, thanks to efforts to promote energy conservation and the introduction of renewable energy (hydroelectric power), total emissions amounted to 2.15 million tons, 87% of the FY2013 level.
As part of measures to achieve carbon neutrality, we will continue to promote the following.

We are exploring and considering the development of chemical diversion for use of recovered CO₂, with a view to collaborating with local communities and surrounding companies. We are also considering the introduction and development of an environmental impact reduction process to reduce CO₂ emissions. By combining these technological developments and collaboration with external partners, we will steadily reduce CO₂ emissions generated by our business operations.

Expansion of Renewable Energy Sources and Introduction of Power Generation Technologies with Low Environmental Impact

For more than 100 years, Denka has been promoting the use of renewable energy. Specifically, we have engaged in technological pursuits on two fronts, namely (1) leveraging hydroelectric power generation and other technologies to create renewable energy while (2) fully taking advantage of this energy in chemical manufacturing and utilizing it as a valuable energy source. Toward the realization of a low-carbon society, we are increasing our focus on renewable energy-related initiatives, one of our areas of strength.

1. Denka Hydroelectric Power Plants

The Omi Plant is geographically situated amid a web of 16 hydroelectric power plants, including those under co-ownership. These power plants boast a combined maximum output of approximately 140,000 kW, making this one of the largest private-owned power generation network of its kind in Japan. All of these facilities employ a natural inflow type hydroelectric power generation system that ushers river water into the turbine runners and returns it to the river as soon it leaves the generator. Thanks to these features, this type of hydroelectric power plant places a relatively smaller burden on the natural environment.
Moreover, hydroelectric power plants generate virtually no greenhouse gases while serving as a renewable energy source with superior energy efficiency. Thus, these power plants are capable of harmoniously coexisting with the natural environment while generating electricity in a sustainable manner.

2. Initiatives Related to Solar Power Generation

3. Introduction of Power Generation Technologies with Low Environmental Impact

4. Breakdown of Energy Consumption by Source (non-consolidated)

5. Future Outlook for Our Renewable Energy Generation Capacity

We will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through various initiatives, including the construction of new power plants and the renewal of existing power plants.

Initiatives to Reduce Environmental Burden

To fulfill its social responsibilities as a chemical manufacturer, the Denka Group is striving to reduce the environmental burden attributable to its own operations while also striving to resolve environmental concerns by recycling waste plastic and conserving biodiversity through its products and technologies.

1. Resource Recycling and Chemical Recycling

2. Efforts to Conserve Biodiversity

3. Initiatives Related to Eco-Friendly Products

Carbonization agent “LEAF”

Taking advantage of special cement additive technologies we have nurtured over many years, we have developed “LEAF,” a carbonization agent made using ingredients derived from industrial waste. “LEAF” vigorously converts CO₂ into chemically stable calcium carbonate. When “LEAF” is mixed into CO₂-SUICOM, an eco-friendly concrete co-developed by Denka, the Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc., Kajima Corporation and LANDES Co., Ltd., the resulting concrete absorbs CO₂ via carbonization as it hardens. Employing a combination of these products, we will help reduce net CO₂ emissions attributable to cement manufacturing.

Electronic circuit substrate “SN Plate”

Denka’s “SN Plate” is a ceramic substrate boasting superiority in terms of heat conductivity and toughness. With a heat conductivity approximately four times of that of alumina, SN Plate is based on Si3N4, a silicon nitride characterized by superior resilience and mechanical properties. Thanks to improved heat conductivity in addition to its mechanical properties, SN Plate is used as substrate for lightweight power modules used for EV, railcar and other applications requiring high reliability. In anticipation of the accelerated popularization of EVs in the automotive industry, we will contribute our material technologies to support this trend and thereby help reduce CO₂ emissions attributable to this industry.