Water Resource Conservation

Due to population growth and economic development, water withdrawals have been increasing year by year, and water-related risks have become increasingly apparent, emerging as a global social issue. The expansion of water withdrawals can lead to the depletion of water resources and may result in production constraints caused by water withdrawal restrictions. Therefore, it is essential to assess and address risks at the regional level. At the same time, it is also important to conserve water resources on a global scale in preparation for future water-related risks. Accordingly, we are committed to reducing water-related risks in order to sustain water resources in the regions where we operate for future generations.

We identify water-related risks in the regions where we operate and evaluate those risks with consideration for regional characteristics and site-specific factors. Based on the assessed level of water risk*, we promote risk reduction by strengthening relevant initiatives and sharing best practices and case examples of mitigation measures.

* ”Water risk” refers to all risks related to water. We address these risks from both the perspective of the “impacts we have on water resources” and the “impacts that water-related issues have on us.”

As diverse water-related challenges, including water scarcity and natural disasters, become increasingly severe, expectations for actions to address these water risks are growing. In response, we assess water risks while taking regional characteristics (site-specific factors) into account, and promote risk reduction by strengthening relevant measures based on identified water risks and sharing examples of initiatives to reduce water use at our plants. We also actively implement measures such as securing emergency water resources and utilizing rainwater in accordance with local needs. Furthermore, we have begun assessing the current status of water risks throughout our supply chain.
To promote the effective use of water resources and minimize water use, we have established “Reduction of Water Withdrawal” as a target in our Environmental Action Plan and continuously work to conserve water and increase water recycling in our daily operations.

We have established an integrated management model that provides a comprehensive view of facilities throughout the entire water cycle, from water withdrawal to wastewater discharge. This system enables us to supply and manage water where it is needed, when it is needed, and in the amount required. As a result, we are able to understand water usage timing and wastewater discharge timing, as well as water demand and wastewater concentration, for each production line and facility. Furthermore, we optimize the use of industrial water, municipal water, and recycled water, appropriately control water supply volumes, and regulate the dosage of neutralizing chemicals according to wastewater concentrations.

Because large volumes of water are used in manufacturing processes for component cleaning and cooling, we establish industrial water withdrawal reduction targets at each plant and work to make effective use of water by implementing water reuse and water recycling technologies.

When selecting equipment and machinery, we thoroughly implement the “3Rs of Water” based on the principles of reducing water use as much as possible (Reduce), reusing water after it has been used (Reuse), and treating and reusing water (Recycle).

Not only in Japan, which receives abundant rainfall, but also at our manufacturing sites overseas, we collect and store rainwater in tanks for use in irrigating green spaces and as cooling water for air-conditioning equipment.

In our wastewater treatment processes, we enforce rigorous wastewater quality control by applying voluntary standards that are more stringent than legal requirements. We treat wastewater through separate treatment systems according to contamination concentration levels, promote closed-loop water systems through advanced water quality management, and also work to increase water reuse.

To achieve water resource conservation that is more responsive to water-related risks, we established a water withdrawal reduction target for 2030 that incorporates total water management. We are promoting water withdrawal reduction activities by identifying regions where water-related risks have materialized or may lead to production constraints. In addition, by continuing water-conscious practices across our global operations, we are preparing for future water-related risks.

To achieve our 2030 target, we conduct surveys and analyses using external assessment tools to identify high water-risk sites and determine target values, and we establish new targets for each company, including sites with high water-related risks. Furthermore, to achieve these targets, we work to reduce water withdrawals in accordance with the availability of water resources and water-related risks in the regions where we operate by identifying water reduction opportunities, evaluating technologies, and developing water reduction scenarios.