Chemical Management
Basic stance
The Nidec Group’s Approach to Chemical Management
As a global business entity, the Nidec Group pays close attention to the use and storage of chemical substances at each business site to prevent leakage, and to reduce the use and emissions of chemical substances as much as possible as part of improvements through innovations in production processes. We also utilize information systems and analytical techniques to comprehensively comply with international regulations regarding hazardous chemical substances contained in our products.
Preventing Chemical Leakage
The Nidec Group promotes the acquisition of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification, and is building and operating a management system based on these standards. As part of this, we identify environmental aspects and hazard sources, conduct risk assessments, and determine control measures, striving to prevent chemical substance leaks and ensure emergency preparedness in the event of a disaster. We also conduct regular audits and education to raise employee awareness of pollution prevention, and in the unlikely event of a leak, we take appropriate measures to contain the spread and remediate the situation, striving to minimize the impact on the environment.
Target
In the Seventh Mid-term Environmental Conservation Plan, we have set a target to "reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions, which are one of the causes of air pollution, compared to previous year," and we are managing our progress toward that goal. VOCs are also closely linked to health issues, and their management and reduction are important for achieving a sustainable environment.
The seventh mid-term environmental conservation plan
| Item | Three-year targets (FY2025 goals) |
|---|---|
| VOC emissions* | Reduce VOC emissions compared to the previous year |
*At sites in Japan
Similarly, we manage emissions for NOx (nitrogen oxides) and SOx (sulfur oxides) as air pollutants. In order to realize a sustainable environment, we will continue to work on reducing emissions of these air pollutants to realize a sustainable environment.
In addition, under the PRTR (Pollutant Release and Transfer Register) system based on Japanese law, Nidec Group's domestic business sites track and manage the amounts of designated chemical substances released and transferred during their use.
Achievements and Actions
VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Emissions
In fiscal year 2024, VOC emissions were 78 tons and decreased by 16.1% compared to the previous year. The results are based on our daily reduction efforts. We will remain committed to promoting actions for further reduction.
VOC Emissions
| Item | Unit | FY2022 | FY2023 | FY2024 | Comparison to previous year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VOC emissions (Total)*1*2 | t | 30 | 93 | 78 | 16.1% reduction |
| Numbers of sites | Sites | 6 | 9 | 9 | - |
*1 The results are, based on the WHO's classification definition, from the chemicals registered for the PRTR whose boiling points are 50 - 260°C.
*2 At sites in Japan, mandatory to submit PRTR notifications and manage volatile organic compounds (VOC).
Emissions for NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) and SOx (Sulfur Oxides)
In fiscal year 2024, the amount of NOx emissions were 4.1 tons (decreased by 32.8%, compared to previous year), and SOx emissions were 4.1 tons (decreased by 58.6%, compared to previous year). These results were achieved thanks to the efficient use of existing equipment to reduce operation hours, as equipment updates at certain sites to improve efficiency.
NOx, SOx Emissions (exhaust concentration multiplied by exhaust volume)
| Item | Unit | FY2023 | FY2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOx Emissions* | t | 6.1 | 4.1 |
| Numbers of sites | Sites | 5 | 4 |
| SOx Emissions* | t | 9.9 | 4.1 |
| Numbers of sites | Sites | 3 | 2 |
*At sites in Japan, it is mandatory to measure under the Air Pollution Control Act.
Discharge and Displacement of the PRTR-covered Substances (FY2024)
| Substance | No. | Discharge | Displacement | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Public water | Soil on property | Landfill on property | Sewer | Displacement off property | ||
| Indium and its compounds | 44 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ethylbenzene | 53 | 3,500.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 387.0 |
| Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether | 58 | 5.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ferric chloride | 71 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Chromium and chromium(III) compounds | 87 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Beryllium and its compounds | 394 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Cadmium and its compounds | 75 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Xylene | 80 | 9,550.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1,008.0 |
| Silver and its water-soluble compounds | 82 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Methylene chloride | 186 | 1,800.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18.0 |
| Styrene | 240 | 13,190.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 140.0 |
| 1,2,4-trimethyl-benzene | 296 | 2,600.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.1 |
| Toluene | 300 | 49,400.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2,930.0 |
| Nickel compounds | 309 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 1-bromopropane | 384 | 1,635.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Methyl-naphthalene | 438 | 10.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Methyl isobutyl ketone | 737 | 1,028.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 65.0 |
| Diethanolamine | 626 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1,900.0 |
| Vinyl Acetate | 134 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Compliance with Product Hazardous Chemicals Regulations
Many chemicals, including those present in nature, significantly improve the functions of products and components if those chemicals are used properly, while causing unpredictable effects to the global environment if left in a product. In particular, the use of those chemicals that can harm the human body and the ecosystem is regulated by laws, regulations, etc.
While addressing the following and other regulations and reduction demands, we manage restricted substances by product, and promote the reduction of the use (inclusion of ingredients) of, or abolition of such substances.
(1) RoHS Directive (the regulation of the use of mainly lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, mercury, PBB/PBDE, and four types of Phthalates)
(2) The ELV Directive (regulation with a main focus on lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and mercury)
(3) The REACH regulation (regulation on chemicals)
(4) Halogen-free requirements
Chemical substances Management System
After the enforcement of REACH, the EU-led comprehensive chemical regulation, Nidec launched in 2012 a system to manage chemicals included in products, and has been using the system by improving it constantly. The system has the following three characteristics:
1. Information sharing and visualizing progress
Under the system, Nidec and any of its supply chain partners can immediately check the progress of an investigation and any information received, and share information and manage progress online.
2. Addressing customer needs more promptly and accurately
Requests to provide a supply chain partner can be handled with the system. With data tabulation and reporting into a customer-designated form all performed automatically, we can handle customer requests with a short lead time and high accuracy.
3. Measures for high-level information management
The system can handle frequent additions of restricted substances, manage supply chain-related information ranging from processors to material manufacturers, and collect and centrally manage detailed ingredient tables.