Preserve Biodiversity
The tok Group takes steps to lighten its environmental impact by reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases* and chemical substances and by upgrading equipment, switching fuels, and reviewing the manufacturing processes to preserve the air, water, and soil environments upon which our livelihoods depend.
Reducing the emissions of air-polluting substances
TOK endeavors to reduce the emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) as key substances related to air pollution and uses natural gas-based boilers with low emissions at all plants, except those that have no city gas supplies in the surrounding areas.
In 2022, SOx emissions related to production activities increased by 0.3 tons year-over-year. NOx emissions increased by 2.9 tons year-over-year, despite efforts that included the improvement of the operating method of power generators at the Koriyama Plant.
Monitoring soil pollution
The TOK Group manages the risk of soil and underground water pollution by recognizing the concern that such pollution could threaten the safety and health of local residents and employees. In the event surveys discover soil or underground water pollution, the company rapidly discloses information and takes remedial action to ensure the health and safety of local residents.
In addition, the TOK Technology and Innovation Center（TTIC） of TOK is a member of the Koza River Purification Association, which comprises the plants, offices, and municipalities located along the rivers in the Koza District of Kanagawa Prefecture. As such, the Center endeavors to conserve water quality and maintain and improve the environment of the rivers in the neighborhood.
Reducing emissions of water-polluting substances
TOK set its own management standards for treating the wastewater discharged from its sites. The standard is stricter than the regulations, laws, and local ordinances for purifying wastewater, such as activated sludge processing, at its process wastewater treatment facilities. Only water that satisfies the standards for cleanliness is released into the public water system.
The company also periodically evaluates water quality to ensure compliance with its voluntary standards and with laws and regulations. In fiscal year 2022, the emissions were lower than the voluntary standards and lower than the values specified in laws and regulations. TOK will continue to reduce emissions by maintaining and managing its process wastewater treatment facilities so that water can be released that satisfies all applicable standards.
BOD emissions in the water discharged into public waters in 2022 were approximately 0.5 ton, while COD emissions were 0.7 ton.
Countermeasures against Ozone-Depleting Substances
The TOK Group uses the ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons CFC-11 and CFC-12 as coolants in refrigerators and freezers. The entire Group is working to reduce the use of these substances and to switch to alternative substances and green coolants (non-CFC). The revised Act on the Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons mandates regular inspections and reporting of any leakage volume, and TOK is updating its environmental system for the proper management, filling, and disposal of CFCs.
As a result of these appropriate actions, the leakage volume stood at approx. 141 t-CO2e in 2022. TOK will continue to conduct group-wide inspections and periodically replace fire extinguishers that use ozone-depleting substances with the aim of further strengthening management to prevent any CFC leakage.
* Data collection period: April 2022 to March 2023
Comply with PRTR Law
Under the Japanese Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Act, companies must manage and report to the government the production, release, and transfer of designated chemical substances. TOK relies on its chemicals and PRTR management system to accurately calculate and report these figures.
Of the Class I Designated Chemical Substances, a list of 515 substances defined by the PRTR Act, TOK handled 47 substances (a total of 1,160 tons) in 2022, including an estimated 3 tons released into the atmosphere and public water systems. TOK measures the emissions of VOCs and harmful air-polluting substances through PRTR surveys with the Japan Chemical Industry Association, of which it is a member.
* Data collection period: April 2022 to March 2023
|
Government |
Chemical substance name | Emission volume (tons) | Transferred volume (tons) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air | Water | Waste Materials | ||
| 20 | 2-aminoethanol | 0 | 0 | 0.4 |
| 53 | ethylbenzene | 0.4 | 0 | 3.7 |
| 58 | ethylene glycol monomethyl ether | 0 | 0 | 0.1 |
| 80 | xylene | 1.5 | 0 | 10.4 |
| 83 | cumene | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 86 | cresol | 0 | 0 | 17.2 |
| 150 | 1,4-dioxane |
0.5 |
0 | 274.2 |
| 181 | dichlorobenzene | 0 | 0 | 15.5 |
| 213 | N,N-dimethylacetamide | 0 | 0 | 3.0 |
| 232 | N,N-dimethylformamide | 0 | 0 | 0.4 |
| 296 | 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 297 | 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 300 | toluene | 0 | 0 | 1.4 |
| 302 | naphthalene | 0 | 0 | 4.6 |
| 320 | nonylphenol | 0 | 0 | 0.3 |
| 349 | phenol | 0 | 0 | 20.2 |
| 368 | 4-tert-butylphenol | 0 | 0 | 0.1 |
| 374 | hydrogen fluoride and its water-soluble salts | 0 | 0 | 3.6 |
| 411 | formaldehyde | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 438 | methylnaphthalene | 0 | 0 | 2.7 |
Preserve Biodiversity
The TOK Biodiversity Protection Declaration guides the TOK Group’s activities to preserve biodiversity.
In 2022, TOK implemented CSR training for all directors, auditors, and employees at its domestic sites, as well as employees of partner companies for some operation centers. The company also dispatched six employees to the afforestation activities with residents of Kanagawa Prefecture through the Kanagawa Trust Midori Foundation. TOK will continue to preserve biodiversity with the intention of starting a ripple effect inside and outside the Company and spreading them throughout society.
At the Aso plant, personnel participate in the forest preservation activities organized by Aso Green Stock, a public interest incorporated foundation, aiming to improve and enhance the watershed cultivation function* within the Aso region and establish an environment with a sustainable ecosystem. TOK designated an area on the north somma of Mt. Aso (736 m2 ) as the “TOK Forest.” In 2022, 11 employees worked hard to weed, cut bamboo, and engage in other activities.
At the Koriyama plant, personnel collected stranded aquatic plants in Lake Inawashiro, located in the approximate center of Fukushima Prefecture. Because stranded aquatic plants decrease the water quality by decaying, the removal of aquatic plants is an important environmental conservation activity that maintains water quality.
Considering the impact of marine microplastics on the ecosystem, TOK is also considering the shift of petroleum product packaging materials to bioplastic materials. The Group started the selection of materials in 2022.
* Functions of forest to reduce flooding under rainfall, reservation of water resources, and water purification
TOK Biodiversity Protection Declaration
- We will position biodiversity protection as one of management’s highest priorities and strengthen protection activities for the global environment
- We will work to continually reduce our environmental impact through our production activities, our development and provision of products and services, and in coordination with the supply chain, thereby working to protect biodiversity.
- We will strive to enhance activities by educating employees on a regular basis and facilitating recognition and a correct understanding of the importance of biodiversity protection.
- We will continually conduct social contribution activities for environmental protection to earn the esteem and trust of society
- We will announce the results of initiatives and promote communication with the general public.
Future Issues and Initiatives
The TOK Group implemented a variety of activities and measures to prevent global warming and the pollution of the air, soil, and water and worked to maintain biodiversity. In all these categories, the Group will continue to appropriately maintain and manage its facilities and equipment to ensure continuous normal operation, thereby fulfilling its social responsibility as a company handling chemical substances.
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