JTEKT CORPORATION｜Society in harmony with nature, biodiversity

Chemical substance
management
Harmony with nature,
biodiversity

Thorough management of chemical substances and reduction of substances of concern

The regulations to administrate the usage and discharge of environmentally-burdensomesubstances which have the adverse impact on ecosystems and human health are beingstrengthened. And, companies are required to implement measures to thoroughly manage and reduce environmentally-burdensome substances throughout the entire product lifecycle, from production to disposal, and observe the related regulations.
As a monozukuri company, it is the social responsibility to reduce environmentally-burdensome substances. JTEKT is putting the thorough assessment and management for the environmentally-burdensome substances, as well as reducing the consumption and discharge amounts from the production processes.

Biodiversity conservation

The diversity of living creatures on this planet is rapidly depleting due to habitat loss resulting from the spreading destruction of nature. Even one of the UN’s SDG’s aims is to prevent biodiversity loss. Enterprise activities can be performed, thanks to the blessings of nature, but at the same time can have great impact on biodiversity. This is why it is important that enterprises are proactively involved in biodiversity conservation activities such as protecting the natural habitat. In JTEKT’s Biodiversity Conservation Action Guidelines (formulated in March 2011), we put the biodiversity conservation as a major social issue supporting life and lifestyle, and each of our plants promotes initiatives, reflecting the regional characteristics of its location, to broaden the scope of activities aiming at biodiversity conservation.

Control and reduction of substances
of concern contained in products

Establishment of the Product and Environment Committee

The Product and Environment Committee has been established among the related departments as part of JTEKT’s initiatives to recognize and manage the environmentally-burdensome substances contained in products. This committee promotes the activities by working groups which are in charge of collecting information, managing data, and holding training programs and so on, by arranging Section Meetings.

Major FY2018 results

Initiatives of the Product and Environment Committee’s Supplier Working Group

JTEKT has established the seven working groups under the control of the Product and Environment Committee. These working groups engage in activities aiming at accurate data management from obtaining to reporting processes.
In FY2018, the Supplier Working Group conducted the survey aiming at grasping the management systems for chemical substances contained in products from all the suppliers. Moreover, in FY2018, in order to understand the management systems for rubber resin, electrical components and other products for which the management of chemical substances is much more important, JTEKT sent personnel to the seven companies and conducted audits of the management systems based on the genchi genbutsu (“Go-and-See”) approach. JTEKT also followed up on the ten companies that had issues remaining after the FY2017 audit, completed follow-up on six of the companies, and will continue to direct the remaining four companies for further improvement.

Reduction of substances of concern
in production activities

Reduction of substances subject to PRTR

JTEKT is taking actions to manage and reduce the impact of chemical substances released into the environment from production activities. In FY2018, JTEKT’s release of substances subject to PRTR* was 27.1 t, drastically reduced by 11 t compared to the previous year. The main factor that contributed to this great reduction was the reduction of the amount of xylene and ethylbenzene released into the atmosphere as a result of the discontinuation of use of kerosene in some models used for washing in the production process. Moreover, of the substances subject to PRTR, the amount of VOC released was 20.5 t, mainly toluene and xylene used in the painting process.

*PRTR is an abbreviation of “Pollutant Release and Transfer Register.” It is the regulation for companies to collect and report the information about the release and transfer amounts of toxic chemicals to the environments, and for government agencies to disseminate to public.

Yearly transition of the amounts of chemical substances
(JTEKT non-consolidated)

*Past results have been partially revised
after reconfirming release and transfer amounts.

FY2018 release and transfer breakdown of substances subject to PRTR

Proper storage and control of PCB devices

The Act on Special Measures concerning Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Wastesrequires the storage and notification of devices containing PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl), widely used as insulating oil. At JTEKT, we properly store and report such devices to government agencies in accordance with this act. To date, we have completed the required processes for all 253 PCB devices. In regards to fluorescent lamp ballasts, we have processed 5,387 of those we had in storage. We plan to complete proper treatment for the remaining 187 ballasts. Furthermore, for electric devices deemed not to contain PCB, JTEKT will properly store and process, in accordance with the act, devices found to contain even small amounts of PCB, the same way high concentration PCB devices are treated.

Measures for soil and groundwater

Since 1998, JTEKT’s Kariya and Okazaki plants have implemented ongoing measures toprevent external leaks and to purify groundwater of trichloroethylene, a substance previously used in detergents and other materials. We do this by using a pumping andaeration system (*1). In addition, since FY2004, Okazaki Plant has used a microbial purification system (*2) where nutritional materials are used as part of purification measures. JTEKT reports the assessment results about groundwater to government agencies and provides local residents with explanations at community meetings.

*1 Pumping and aeration system: A system of pumping groundwater up and sprayeding, and blowing air from below to aerate and separate organic solvents to be removed by adhering to activated carbon.
* Microbial purification system: A method of restoring contaminated environments by utilizing microbial function. The purification capability of microbes living in the environment is enhanced by injection of nutrients, etc.

Measured trichloroethylene value (maximum)

(Environmental standard: 0.01 mg/ ℓ)

Measured trichloroethylene value (maximum)

(Environmental standard: 0.01 mg/ ℓ)

Initiatives for biodiversity

Biodiversity Conservation Action Guideline

In order to reduce the environmental burden created by our business activities and bemindful of biodiversity, JTEKT established the Biodiversity Conservation Action Guidelines in March 2011 based on the Environmental Action Plan 2015 of our JTEKT Group Environmental Vision.

Biodiversity Conservation Action Guideline

JTEKT’s aspiration

JTEKT’s biodiversity conservation activities focus on the three main initiatives of 1) protecting the rare living species that inhabit or grow at each plant, 2) enhancing the local natural environments surrounding each plant and 3) developing environmentally-minded professionals in order to achieving conservation of biodiversity on an ongoing basis. We engage in activities to protect the rare living species at each plant based on objective evaluations incorporating the viewpoints of experts and academics.

Map of JTEKT biodiversity conservation activities

Due to having business sites in both Japan and overseas, JTEKT endeavors to expand our biodiversity conservation initiatives through connecting the activities of individual plants. In FY2018, activities were implemented at 15 business sites. We will continue promoting activities to broaden such connection both domestically and internationally.

■ Overseas

■ Japan　▶ The activity will pop up when you place the cursor over the plant in Japan.

Major initiatives

Participation in the Tokyo Greenship Action
<Tokyo Plant>

The Tokyo Plant has signed an agreement with the Tokyo Environmental Public Service Corporation and the NPO Yokosawairi Tanbonokai, and since April 2018 has been participating in environmental conservation activities in the Yokosawairi Satoyama Conservation Area. The Tokyo Greenship Action is a collaborative effort by citizens, NPOs, companies, the government, and other parties to conserve and preserve the irreplaceable nature of forests and satoyamas in Tokyo. The Tokyo Plant will continue to participate in these activities to protect the environment in which it operates.

Kitayama Wetland conservation activities
<Okazaki Plant>

The JTEKT Okazaki Plant is engaged in conservation activities for the Kitayama Wetland in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture. The Kitayama Wetland is designated as a natural monument in Okazaki City and Aichi Prefecture and has been selected as one of Japan’s 500 most important wetlands by the Ministry of the Environment. The site is also home to rare creatures such as the Gifu butterfly (gifucho) and scarlet dwarf dragonfly (hatcho tombo). To protect the habitat of these creatures, 50 employees participated in extermination of weeds including non-native plants found in the wetlands.

JTEKT Group Mangrove Forest
Regeneration Project
<Overseas group company: JATH (Thailand)>

JATH is working with local residents on a mangrove restoration project in Prasae National Forest Reserve and Pangrad Forest in Rayong Province. In 2018, 1,420 mangrove trees were planted to reduce CO₂ emissions by 2 t per year. JATH will continue its biodiversity conservation activities.

MY CSR

Nisarat RohitacaneeJATH(Thailand)

Working for nature and our sustainability

Mangrove forests are deeply related to both the environment and our community and are inseparable from our lives. I believe that this project to protect mangrove forests will strengthen not only environmental conservation but also relationships through cooperation with local residents. Thailand’s forest area has increased annually by approximately 3,200 m2 due to such activities. By continuing this project, I hope to contribute to further increases in the forest area based on Sangen Shugi, or the “go and see” principle of the three realities (actual place, actual thing, actual fact).