Who We Are

Environmental Contribution through Surface Modification

What if there wereno surface
modification?

In recent years, climate change caused by global warming has significantly impacted not only people’s lives but the ecosystems of all living
creatures. Now more than ever, we need to create a sustainablesociety.
So, what can we do in the industrial segment? We are considering
two concepts to enable sustainable social development: the rightmaterial in the right place and longevity.
Humans have been using metals for more than 5,000 years. We willcontinue to use metals as beneficial materials from the perspective ofusing the right material in the right place. However, it is also true that alarge amount of energy is consumed, and GHGs (greenhouse gases)
are emitted while refining metals from ores. Our challenge is how weCorrosion cost in
Japan(Cost of corrosion
prevention)¥4.3

carefully use the metal materials thus obtained. In other words, it is
how we protect metals from corrosion as chemical loss and wear andtear as mechanical loss.
We estimate that the cost of corrosion (i.e., cost of corrosion andtrillioncorrosion prevention) in Japan is 4.3 trillion yen*1, which is equivalent
to approx. 0.8% of GDP. Assuming that the corrosion cost and metallosses (converted from monetary values) are equal and these losses
must be recovered, as much as 80 million tons of CO2 will be newly
emitted in the manufacturing process. On a global scale, this amounts
to as much as 3.8 billion tons of emissions, equivalent to 11% of global
CO2 emissions*2. On the other hand, friction and wear cost*3 are also
shown in advanced countries. Using this figure to calculate the metal
loss in Japan and assuming that this loss must be recovered, as much

Metallic wear in Japan(Chemical loss +mechanical loss)

as 80 million tons of CO2, equivalent to corrosion, will be emitted in themanufacturing process.
That makes it easy to see how the current corrosion prevention and160

million tons

wear resistance technologies protect metal materials from corrosion
and loss and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions.
*1: Japan Society of Corrosion Engineering and Japan Association of Corrosion Control, Cost of Corrosion in Japan (2020)*2: Energy Institute, CO2 emissions (EI statistics)*3: K. Holmberg: Tribology International, 135, 389-396 (2019)07

Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd. Integrated Report 2023

Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd. Integrated Report 2023

08

Who We Are

Environmental Contribution through Surface Modification

Surfacemodification
change the future

Contribution to CO2 emissions reduction
As mentioned, we apply surface modification technologies to various
metals to protect them. Protecting metals, namely extending their service life, actually curbs CO2 emissions. So, how effective is it at curbingemissions? We have made the following estimates based on somespecific examples.
We supply automobile manufacturers with chemicals that form sur-Surface modification
technology for hardening surfaces

The surface treatment coatings formed by these chemicals can retain
the original exterior appearance of automobiles for up to three times

Effects of surface
treatment coatings(layout) Life of car
exterior appearance

3face treatment coatings to protect automobile bodies from corrosion.

Wear resistance

12times higher

longer*4. Assuming this reduces the demand to produce new automobile bodies, annual CO2 emissions would be reduced by 1.77 million
tons in Japan, where we directly supply chemicals, and by as much as
5.44 million tons globally.

times longer

56476.6 59020.3 59651.158582.3 53159.3 56591.3 60472(t-CO )
CO2 emissions (left axis)

275,000We also provide surface modification technology for hardening sur57050.9 65055.1 64158.9 66927.1 66792.6
69664.6 71493.4 63042.7 56928.3 63437.3 59107.1 60186.6 59888.6 59541.1 56809.4 59698.6 56475.5 61813 55910.5 46582.7 48417.9(t-CO /million yen)faces, primarily for automotive parts. Wear resistance increases 125.0

CO2 emissions per unit of sales (right axis)

2times*5 since this technology forms a modified layer on the metal sur60,000

4.0

45,0003.0

30,0002.0

15,000

1.0

face. Assuming a reduced production demand for automotive parts
using this technology, as in the previous example, CO2 emissions could
be cut by 470,000 tons per year in Japan and 2.52 million tons per year
worldwide, including the Group’s own emissions. The above indicates
only the automotive parts that we treat.
We have also been striving to conserve resources and reduce hazardous substances contained in our products. In particular, since the 1990s,01994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2016 2019 2020 2021 0.0

CO2 emissions from the chemicals business

we have been developing products with a reduction of the environmental impact as a critical factor in R&D. As a result, we have launchedphosphorus-free and chrome-free products and technologies.

CO2 emissions

The figure on the left shows the annual CO2 emissions*6 derived fromraw materials related to our domestic chemicals business and annual
CO2 emissions converted into values per unit of sales. We have suc-44% reduction

cessfully reduced CO2 emissions per unit each year since it peaked in2002, with a significant 44% reduction achieved to date.
*4: Calculated based on the results of corrosion acceleration tests (2023) by the Central Research Laboratories, Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd.
*5: Calculated based on the results of an abrasion resistance test (2023) by the Central Research Laboratories, Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd.
*6: Calculated by using IDEA Ver. 3.2 from AIST

09

Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd. Integrated Report 2023

Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd. Integrated Report 2023

10