Management and Reduction of Chemical Substances
Approach to Chemical Substance Management
Because chemicals are frequently handled in the SMM Group, we have established a chemical
substance management system within the environmental management system (EMS) at all business
sites under divisional jurisdiction. For example, when a business site intends to handle a new
chemical, it conducts a preliminary study that covers hazard statements, laws and regulations, and
other applicable information, and deliberates in a meeting at the business site before deciding
whether to adopt the handling of said chemical. In addition, the business divisions and Safety &
Environment Control Department cooperate with requests for preliminary consultation and verification
from the business site.
Further, we also provide information on safe handling for all chemicals transferred or provided
to customers or other business sites in the SMM Group using safety data sheets (SDS)1 which
conform to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS),2
regardless of whether or not we are legally obligated to do so. When developing new materials, we
strive to develop materials that customers can use safely and with peace of mind. We review development
themes taking into account the toxicity of contained substances, including as pertains
to domestic and international regulations for final products as well as the environmental impact of
production processes.
Regarding emissions into the atmosphere and water, in order to comply with statutory regulations
relating to air and water pollution and further reduce emissions of chemical substances,
business sites individually set targets and take action. In FY2023, each business site implemented
measures according to their individual hazardous substance emissions reduction targets.
- 1Safety data sheet (SDS): A document listing information on a chemical, including the chemical substance, the product name, the supplier, hazards, safety precautions and emergency procedures
- 2The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS): A system for classifying chemicals based on the type and degree of hazards and toxicity they pose, chemical labeling, and safety data sheet provision in accordance with a set of internationally-agreed upon rules
Emissions into the Atmosphere1
SOx emissions in FY2023 remained flat, decreasing by about 1% year on year. NOx emissions decreased by about 6% year on year. The decrease was the result primarily of a switch from heavy oil to LNG for boiler fuel at nickel refinery and production adjustments by Hyuga Smelting Co., Ltd. Soot and dust emissions decreased by about 4% year on year.
- 1Each emission figure was calculated based on the measurement of flue gas
Discharge into Water
The COD1 pollutant load in FY2023 decreased by about 2%
year on year. The BOD2 pollutant load decreased by about 54%
year on year due to a decrease in wastewater at the Hishikari
Mine and withdrawal from the lead frame business by Okuchi
Materials Co., Ltd. Many SMM Group business sites face onto
Japan’s Seto Inland Sea and are subject to controls on the total
amounts of COD, nitrogen, and phosphorous emissions under
the Act on Special Measures Concerning Conservation of the
Environment of the Seto Inland Sea. In addition, we adhere to
the discharge standards of the Water Pollution Prevention Act
and have not had any violations in this area.
The volume of freshwater usage decreased by about 1%
year on year to about 37.3 million m3. In this calculation, diversion
water,3 which is unrelated to production, is excluded from
withdrawal and discharge at mines. The volume of seawater
usage decreased by about 14% year on year. This was attributable
to a decreased in production volumes at the
Toyo Smelter & Refinery.
- 1COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand): Measured for discharge into seas, including emissions into rivers flowing into enclosed seas
- 2BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand): Measured for discharge into rivers, excluding emissions flowing into enclosed seas
- 3Diversion water: Water that flows into the site as an input and flows out of the site as an output without being used for production purposes
Release Control for Chemical Substances1
An overview of releases and transfers of chemical substances based on Japan’s Pollutant Release
and Transfer Register (PRTR) system in FY2023 is as follows. The number of data-submitting sites in
the SMM Group was 23 (26 in FY2022). The Group had 44 (40 in FY2022) substances
requiring registration.
The total released and transferred amount (releases + transfers) came to 2,626t, an increase
of about 4% year on year, due to an increase in transfers. The increase in transfers was due to an
increase in the volume of iron clinker2 to be disposed as industrial waste after being generated as
a by-product at Shisaka Smelting Co., Ltd. and an increase in the volume of manganese transferred
off-site.
The amount released into the atmosphere increased by about 30% due to an increase in the
number of chemical substances covered by the revised PRTR. Overall emissions decreased about
13% from the previous year due to an approximately 17% decrease in discharges into water in conjunction
with a reduction in discharges from the Hishikari Mine. There were no releases of ozone
layer depleting substances.
- 1Industrial waste treatment is commissioned to Group companies and industrial waste is recycled for use as raw material. Accordingly, chemical substances transferred off-site include some substances which were effectively not discharged outside the Group, such as nickel compounds as well as cobalt and cobalt compounds
- 2Iron clinker: The residue remaining during the processing of electric arc furnace dust after recovering zinc. The residue able to be sold is called “iron contained pellet,” and the residue to be disposed of is called “iron clinker”
