Environmental Management

Promotion of Environment Conservation Efforts Together with the Global Environmental Committee

Environmental Targets and Results

Each department establishes targets for each fiscal year based on medium-term environmental targets, then carries out environmental preservation initiatives aiming to meet the targets. To connect these with volunteer actions of individual associates, the Akebono conducts ongoing education to promote awareness of individual roles in environmental preservation activities. The achievement of these measures is evaluated each fiscal year and incorporated in improvements for the following fiscal year and beyond.

Targets for Fiscal 2017 and Results Achieved

R&D
Initiatives
Promotion of products containing no substances of concern (SOCs)
Medium- to long-term Targets
Complete the conversion to lead-free sintered material by 2020 (for local and bullet trains)
Targets for Fiscal 2017
Lead-free sintered material production rate is greater than 55%
Results Achieved in Fiscal 2017
Lead-free sintered material production rate is 58% as of fiscal 2017
Plans for Fiscal 2018 and After
  • Further promote a changeover to the lead-free sintered material for applicable categories of rolling stock
  • Develop lead-free sintered materials that suit for other categories of rolling stock
Production
1 Initiatives
Reduction of total CO2 emissions at production plants in Japan
Medium- to long-term Targets
Reduction of CO2 emissions intensity more than 1% on an annual average by 2020
Targets for Fiscal 2017
Reduction of CO2 emissions intensity more than 1%
Results Achieved in Fiscal 2017
9.8% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to fiscal 2013 (annual average reduction of 2.4%) achieved by introduction of next-generation friction materials manufacturing equipment and application of thermal barrier coatings to factory roofs
Plans for Fiscal 2018 and After
Collect information globally on CO2 reducing measures and energy-saving technologies
2 Initiatives
Continue and improve ISO14001-related activities
Medium- to long-term Targets
Continue to enhance environmental activities
Targets for Fiscal 2017
Firmly root ISO14001 in operations and steadily renew certifications
Results Achieved in Fiscal 2017
Renewed the ISO14001 certifications at four sites, including Iwatsuki Manufacturing
Plans for Fiscal 2018 and After
Continue to firmly root ISO14001 in operations and steadily renew certifications
3 Initiatives
Promote no landfill waste disposal at production site
Medium- to long-term Targets
Maintain and continue no direct landfill waste disposal
Targets for Fiscal 2017
Continue no direct landfill waste disposal
Results Achieved in Fiscal 2017
Continue no direct landfill waste disposal
Plans for Fiscal 2018 and After
Continue no direct landfill waste disposal
Environmental Education
Initiatives
Environmental training center
Medium- to long-term Targets
Nurture human resources to disseminate environmental preservation methods to locations nationwide through training programs implemented at Environmental training center
Targets for Fiscal 2017
Get feedback from the trainees and reflect it in the program
Results Achieved in Fiscal 2017
  • Held lectures on chemical substance management by external instructors
  • Started introducing the online education program implemented at ABCT (United States) to Japan
Plans for Fiscal 2018 and After
Get feedback from the trainees and reflect it in the program
Logistics
Initiatives
Response to revised Energy Conservation Law (energy saving obligation of cargo owners)
Medium- to long-term Targets
Reduce unit energy consumption by 1% (five-year average)
Targets for Fiscal 2017
Improve transport efficiency and increase energy usage efficiency
Results Achieved in Fiscal 2017
  • Reduced CO2 emissions per transport weight and distance from logistics by 0.4% on a year-on-year basis
  • Implemented eco-friendly driving activities and seminars
  • Introduced the real-time management system of truck operations
Plans for Fiscal 2018 and After
Continue efforts to reduce unit energy consumption by 1% or more in five-year average
Purchasing
Initiatives
Promotion of green purchasing
Medium- to long-term Targets
Establish structure that ensures purchasing activities in line with the Green Purchasing Guidelines
Targets for Fiscal 2017
Revise supplier quality management (SQM) standard manuals
Results Achieved in Fiscal 2017
  • Conducted research in tandem with suppliers into the alternate materials that use fewer environmental impact substances and require lower energy input with the aim of making concrete proposals for new material development
  • Carried out the following revisions to SQM standard manuals to ensure the greater understanding of suppliers with regard to the Company’s approach to environmental impact substance reduction (Enhanced GADSL*1 explanations and provided clearer descriptions of procedures for the handling of environmental impact substances)
Plans for Fiscal 2018 and After
  • Encourage suppliers to upgrade their environmental management systems
  • Continue supply chain survey using IMDS*2
Production Engineering
Initiatives
Promotion of resource-saving design
Medium- to long-term Targets
Develop manufacturing facilities that are reusable, achieving a greater yield ratio, energy saving, and eco-friendly operations with the aim of realizing environmentally friendly manufacturing
Targets for Fiscal 2017
Further enhance energy-saving and resource-saving technologies
Results Achieved in Fiscal 2017
Power saving by introducing 5 electric molding machines (improved energy efficiency with servo hydraulic & electric actuators) at Yamagata Manufacturing together with the implementation of individual dust collectors and commencing mass production of next-generation friction materials equipment
Plans for Fiscal 2018 and After
Aim for zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and further enhance energy-saving and resource-saving technologies

Refer to the following for performance data for each principal company.
Akebono Environmental Data by Principal Company in Japan (PDF download 264 KB, 5 pages)

  • *1 GADSL (Global Automotive Declarable Substance List) A list of chemical substances requiring proper management formulated by automobile manufacturers, their parts suppliers and material suppliers in Japan, the United States and Europe. It is an industrywide standard targeting the following substances, which are possibly contained in parts and materials supplied to automotive manufacturers:
    1. Substances that are subject to regulation under the laws of each country
    2. Substances that are expected to come under legal regulation
    3. Substances with a proven negative impact on health and/or the environment
    The list contains substances classified into such categories as “Substances prohibited from use in all applications,” “Substances prohibited from use in certain applications or that must be declared if used” and “Substances that must be declared if usage exceeds defined threshold limits.”
  • *2 IMDS (International Material Data System): An international material data reporting system.