As a producer of many ceramic products, NGK cannot entirely avoid the generation of CO2 inherent in the sintering process. For this reason, we have worked to convert to alternative fuels, introduce efficient sintering processes and promote the recovery and reuse of exhaust heat. We have also taken steps to make production more efficient and improve energy usage through EMS activities.
NGK’s total CO2 emissions in fiscal 2008 amounted to 151,000 tons, a 12.2%, or 21,000 tons, decrease from fiscal 2007. This figure, however, was 7.5% higher than in fiscal 1990.
CO2 emissions by Group companies in Japan totaled 63,000 tons, a decrease of 5,000 tons, or 7.4%, from fiscal 2007. In terms of basic unit per sales value of production in Japan, emissions in fiscal 2008 declined by 7.1% from the reference year of fiscal 2005.
Going forward, we will select the best reduction measures in a bid to boost energy efficiency further by analyzing the relationship between production volume and energy usage for every process linked to each product, and so forth.
The CO2 emissions of Group companies outside Japan have grown in tandem with increased production volume in these countries, rising to 330,000 tons in fiscal 2008.
From fiscal 2008, we have established and are working to meet CO2 reduction targets for our main production bases among Group companies outside Japan.
Together, carbon dioxide and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) account for nearly all of the greenhouse gases emitted by NGK. Accordingly, we are seeking to switch to alternative gases to replace SF6 as we strive to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. In fiscal 2008, emissions of SF6 totaled 300 tons-CO2, a reduction of 83% relative to fiscal 2007.
Since 2002, we have utilized green energy generated by wind power, a renewable energy source. In fiscal 2008, we purchased 1.898 million kWh of green energy. The power was used to help reduce*3 CO2 emissions at the Chita Plant, where business targeting markets outside Japan is expanding, by approximately 800 tons.
Internal view of melting furnace
At NGK’s Chita Plant, we closely analyzed a phenomenon we observed in which the amount of energy used to melt the same volume of metal each time in our melting furnace for beryllium copper would change. This analysis clarified the relationship between production methods, time and energy usage. In fiscal 2008, our efforts to improve input methods for raw materials and adjust energy usage based on furnace conditions resulted in a 2.3% reduction in the volume of energy used.
From fiscal 2009, we will try to cut carbon dioxide emissions by over 1,000 tons by remodeling the furnace and reviewing operation methods.
*1 CO2conversion factors (kg-CO2/unit) used in calculating CO2 emissions are as follows: Units are indicated in parentheses. Purchased electric power (kWh): 0.42 Fuel oil (L): 2.677 Diesel fuel (L): 2.64 Kerosene (L): 2.49 City gas (Nm3): 2.347 LPG (kg): 3.007 Gasoline (L): 2.322
Sources: Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan (fiscal 1990 actual figures), Ministry of the Environment. Some factors have been calculated independently by NGK. However, fiscal 2008 energy-origin CO2 emission volume for NGK on a non-consolidated basis is 161,000 tons when using the CO2 conversion factor provided by the Law Concerning the Promotion of Measures to Cope with Global Warming (revised in April 2006).
*2 Greenhouse gases are gases that trap thermal radiation reflected from the surface of the Earth, resulting in a greenhouse effect in which the overall temperature of the Earth rises. Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), dinitrogen monoxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) are designated as greenhouse gases. The greenhouse effect of SF6 is approximately 24,000 times as strong as that of CO2.
*3 The CO2 conversion factor used for calculation was 0.42 kg-CO2/kWh.
