Sustainability in the
PVDC Latex Business
Asahi Kasei Group's Sustainability Initiatives
Asahi Kasei Group is committed to sustainability with ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by over 30% by 2030 (compared to 2013 levels) and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To reach these targets, we are actively working on reducing emissions from our own operations (Scope 1 and 2) and have launched the Green Solution Project, which explores new business opportunities to help society reduce GHG emissions. Through the Carbon Neutrality Promotion Project, we are consolidating our efforts, analyzing scenarios, and strategizing ways to achieve our goals.
For more details, visit Asahi Kasei Group's Sustainability Page.
Sustainability Initiatives at Our Nobeoka Site
Our Nobeoka site, including PVDC Latex manufacturing, accounts for approximately 25% of Asahi Kasei's total GHG emissions. To address this, we have implemented a range of initiatives to reduce carbon emissions through alternative energy sources:
1.Biomass Power Generation
Since 2012, our biomass power facility in Okatomi, Nobeoka, has been operational. It primarily uses woody biomass, such as thinned wood and construction waste, constituting about 77.3% of the fuel mix, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 170,000 tons annually. This contributes to a 13% reduction in GHG emissions at the Nobeoka site.
2.Transition to Natural Gas Power
In March 2023, we converted our third coal-fired power plant to a natural gas facility, reducing CO₂ emissions by an estimated 160,000 tons per year.
3.Hydropower Utilization
Nobeoka benefits from nine hydroelectric plants supplying about 22% of the site's electricity needs. This significantly exceeds Japan's national average of 8% for hydropower, making it a highly sustainable energy source. We continue to upgrade our facilities to enhance efficiency. For example, the Gokasegawa Power Plant underwent a major refurbishment and resumed operations in May 2022, with additional upgrades underway at other facilities, including the Mamihara, Suigasaki, and Kawabashirigawa Power Plant. These initiatives reflect our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and advancing the use of renewable energy at our production sites.
Adapted from Nobeoka Branch Office Sustainability Report 2023
Photo: Hoshiyama Power Plant
Photo: Gokasegawa Power Plant