Environment

Preventing Pollution and Managing Chemical Substances

• Preventing Air Pollution
• Water Conservation
• Volatile Organic Compounds Emission Reductions
• Hazardous Air Pollutants
• Substances Subject to the PRTR Law

We are working for the prevention of air and water pollution, the appropriate management of toxic chemical substances, and the reduction of related emissions.

Note: For data of indicators related to climate change and environment protection, we have received third-party assurance to ensure the reliability and transparency of Data Sheet 2025 .
For indicator data, some calculation methods have been changed. For details, please refer to “Calculation Methods for Data of Indicators related to Environment.”
The reporting scope covers Kaneka, 51 Group companies in Japan, and 16 overseas Group companies. For a list of companies, please see “Reporting Organizations.”

Preventing Air Pollution

Our production activities comply with the standards stipulated in the Air Pollution Control Act as well as the criteria in agreements with local governments, and we have established our own internal targets that are stricter than those criteria.
SOx, NOx, and soot and dust emissions from all parent manufacturing sites increased in FY2024 from the previous fiscal year. This was mainly because operating hours of coal-fired boilers returning to normal levels.

Note: Amounts reported here may not fully match, due to rounding.

SOx Emissions(*1)

NOx Emissions(*1, 2)

Soot and Dust Emissions(*1, 2)

*1From FY2024, applies in principle to facilities for which measurement is required. For the Kaneka Malaysia Group, facilities that do not involve fuel combustion are not included.

*2FY2023 figures for some Group companies in Japan were revised because some data had been omitted.

Water Conservation

Our production activities comply with the standards stipulated in the Water Pollution Control Act as well as the criteria in agreements with local governments.
In FY2024, Kaneka Group withdrew 36.2 million m³ of water and discharged 31.8 million m³ of wastewater.
To conserve water resources, we monitor the amount of water intake and strive to use water efficiently. To prevent water pollution, we aim to maintain and improve the quality of wastewater discharged into public water bodies.
For water risk assessments, we use an assessment tool (Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas) to identify areas with high water stress at each Kaneka Group site and the bases of Group companies in Japan and overseas. By looking at the share of water intake from those areas in our total water intake, we have confirmed that Kaneka Group as a whole does not face high water risks. Going forward, we will broaden the geographical and time scope of our assessments, and implement prioritized measures based on the results.

Note:Amounts reported here may not fully match, due to rounding.

Water Consumption (Intake) (*3, 4, 5)

Wastewater Discharges(*3, 4, 6)

Chemical Oxygen Demand in Discharged into Public Bodies of Water(*3, 4, 6, 7)

Nitrogen in Wastewater Discharged into Public Bodies of Water(*3, 4, 6, 7)

Phosphorus in Wastewater Discharged into Public Bodies of Water(*3, 4, 6, 7)

Suspended Solids in Wastewater Discharged into Public Bodies of Water(*3, 4, 6, 7)

*3 It also includes those generated from non-manufacturing facilities other than the plant department.

*4 FY2023 figures were revised following the discovery of data omissions and calculation errors.

*5 Does not include water consumption at the tank yard of Kaneka Malaysia.

*6 Does not include wastewater discharges at the tank yard of Kaneka Malaysia.

*7 From FY2024, includes only sites for which water quality measurement is required.

Volatile Organic Compounds Emission Reductions

We are committed to reducing the emission of VOCs(*8), which are known to cause photochemical smog. In FY2015, we at Kaneka set the goal of controlling VOC emissions to below 1,800 tons.
In FY2024, VOC emissions totaled 1,728 tons, an increase of 2.5% from the previous fiscal year, achieving our target.
To reduce VOC emissions, we are improving the recovery rate of acetone, which accounts for 46% of VOC emissions, by upgrading refrigeration equipment to increase cooling capacity. We will continue our efforts to manage and reduce VOC emissions.

*8 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic chemical substances that cause suspended particulate matter and photochemical oxidants.

VOC Emissions (Kaneka)