Development of Environment-conscious Products

 In accordance with the Nabtesco Group corporate philosophy, we are dedicated to using our unique motion control technology for the provision of safety, comfort and a sense of amenity in the world's transport sectors and in people's lives..

 We are receiving high appraisal through our promotion of product commercialization that emphasizes the needs of both the customers and society. Such efforts include giving consideration, at the development and design stage of a product, to the environment such as energy conservation, resource conservation, and recycling efficiency.

 In our effort in promoting alternative energy to stop global warming, we have developed the yaw drive and pitch drive for wind turbine generator and are widely providing this product to society.

Prevention of Global Warming (Energy Conservation)

 Our activities for reducing energy consumption aims at prevention of global warming and more efficient use of energy resources.
These activities involve focused targets and quantitative evaluation of energy conservation, in addition to routine management such as electricity saving and equipment inspection, for effective improvements. In FY2005, while increased production resulted in a 4.2% rise in energy consumption (as crude oil) which also means 5.5% increase in CO2, specific energy consumption decreased by 2.3%.  An overall evaluation of energy saving indicated a 2.9% improvement.

Prevention of Global Warming (Energy Conservation)

We follow the "3-R" (reduce, reuse, recycle) principle of establishing a resource recycling-oriented society in our quest for the goal of zero emission from our business.
FY2005 saw a considerable progress in reuse of wastes, including reuse and recycling of wastewater from the cutting and washing processes as (auxiliary) fuel. As production increase resulted in a 5.8% increase of the total emission, however, the absolute quantity of inefficiently used wastes decreased by 4% only, compared with the 10% target, though the specific consumption was improved as expected.
On the other hand, landfill wastes were cut by 12%, which is an important step for the zero-emission goal. Major contributing factors to this reduction include recycling cutting sludge as a cement material and reduction of sludge from the iron removal process due to enhanced recycling of groundwater.

 Note: "Zero emission" is defined here as landfill wastes accounting for no more than 1% of total emission.  "Inefficiently used wastes" comprise wastes incinerated, neutralized/detoxified, and landfilled.

Control of Chemical Substances

1. PRTR Substances

　In accordance with the March 2003 enforcement of the PRTR Law, the Nabtesco Group has identified amounts of such substances it handles. (The Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Law govern the promotion of improvements to assessing and managing the emissions of specified chemical substances into the environment.)

　We identified 18 target chemical 　substances.
　Total amount: 58 t
　Amount emitted to the atmosphere: 42 t
　Emission to water or soil: 0 t

　Most of the toluene and xylene were emitted from the painting processes.
The environmental burden of these VOCs is being reduced by introducing alternative washing agents and a once-through coating process.

2. PCB Contaminated Substances (electrical facilities)

　In accordance with the June 2001 PCB Law, the Nabtesco Group appropriately stores PCB contaminated transformers and capacitors, and has informed the authorities of their existence. (The Polychlorinated Biphenyl Law is a special measures law for promoting the appropriate disposal of PCBs.)  These products will be disposed of by 2016.

3. Soil Contamination

　Contamination of toxic substances in soil and groundwater is a great threat to society and that is why tackling this problem is one of Nabtesco Group's most important tasks in fulfilling its social responsibility.
Survey (May 2005) on the soil and groundwater at the site of the former Yokosuka plant revealed contamination by volatile organic solvents.  The situation was notified to the authority in accordance with the law.  Soil improvement and groundwater cleaning works are in progress.  We continue the effort at this matter in close cooperation with the authority, and timely reports will be presented.

4.  The Asbestos Issue

　The excellent properties of asbestos made it a convenient material in a wide range of applications in both industrial and consumer uses.  The Nabtesco Group has performed extensive investigation on the present and past use of asbestos in the products, processes, facilities and constructions within the group for appropriate measures in accordance with the law. Although the Group has little to do with the asbestos dust issue except in a limited number of cases in the past, all ex-employees are notified and recommended to have relevant medical checkup.

Health and Safety Management

　Safety is the basic requirement of business.  We give top priority to safety, and aim at providing all the employees with safe and comfortable working environment.

　As the recent diversity and complexity of modern machinery, processes, and operations progress and risk factors increase, workers are increasingly exposed to more stress and danger at work

　FY2005 experienced a heightened workload in production sites, leading to an increased frequency rate due to more labor accidents in the first half, although the severity rate decreased.  We therefore reviewed our safety-related activities thoroughly in the latter half of the year and intensified preventive actions.

　In order to establish a structure that can appropriately deal with environmental changes, our future tasks include further organizing working environments less susceptible to human errors and further promoting the firm establishment of preventive safety management based on identification and reduction of risks.