Initiatives for Environment
Environmental Management
Furukawa Electric Group Basic Environmental Policy
Basic Philosophy
We, the employees of the Furukawa Electric Group, recognize that conservation of the global environment is aserious issue confronting the international community, and we pledge to contribute to a sustainable future for theworld through technological innovation that utilizes our strength in advanced materials.

Action Guidelines
1.	
We shall comply with environmental laws and regulations as well as the demands of our customers and others,setting ever higher environmental targets as we continuously improve our global environmental conservation efforts.
2. W
 e shall strive to develop products that are friendly to the Earth, and create new environmental businesses.
3.	We shall strive to reduce environmental risk by incorporating anti-climate change and resource
conservation/recycling considerations, as well as a reduction in the use of environmental impactcausing substances, across the entire product lifecycle.
4.	We shall evaluate the ecological impact of all of our businesses, and strive for the conservation of
biodiversity and sustainable use of resources.
5.	
We will seek harmony with the natural environment and local communities through dialogue with our stakeholders.

Environmental Management Organization
I n A p r i l 2 0 13 , w e u n d e r w e n t o r g a n i z a t i o n a l
restructuring, transitioning to a strategic business unit

Environmental Education System andEnvironmental Education Programs

system. We also renamed our highest-level advisory

Furukawa Electric Group is engaged in a variety ofbody related to environmental management theenvironmental education activities in order to raise

Furukawa Electric Group Environment Committee andenvironmental awareness among its employees andpromoted environmental management under a new

help them to gain information necessary to conduct thestructure. The “Council of Environmental Managers” wasenvironmental activities of the Group.

set up under the Committee in order to promote theIn fiscal 2015, a total of 54 employees undertook

smooth development of environmental management

ISO14001 internal environmental auditor training, 18

decision-making, and a variety of special committees

employees took FGMS (note 1) auditor training, and 35

were consolidated and merged.

managers and environmental supervisors from Furukawa
Electric Group took supplementary training in relation to

Promotion Framework

ISO14001: 2015. Environmental training is also
implemented on an ongoing basis as part of training for

President

staff, such as newly-appointed section managers andFurukawa Electric Group
Environment Committee
Committee chair:
General Manager of the Production Technology Division
Committee members: Management
Organizer: General Manager, Safety & Environment Promotion
Department, Production Technology Division
Technology & Engineering Division
Planning Department Manager

Committee for Development ofEnvironmentally Friendly Products

Divisional Environment
Committees

Special Committee

Affiliated Group Companies
in Japan and Overseas(note 1) Furukawa branding Green products Management System

From fiscal 2010, Furukawa Electric presented
environmental activities awards in the following threefields with the aims of improving environmental

Council of Environmental
Managers
Environment
Committee of Works

middle-ranking Monozukuri staff.

Environmental activity award system

Safety and Environmental
Promotion Department

48

Environmental Education

awareness and raising the level of environmental
Subcommittee
Meeting

FURUKAWA ELECTRIC GROUP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016activities: “sales promotion activities for environmentallyfriendly products”; “global warming prevention activities”;

Initiatives for Environment ●●●and “Group activities”. However, the award system was2005” and covers Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. and 24

combined into a single category in fiscal 2014 under thedomestic group companies.

“environmental contribution awards”. Furthermore, in

The costs of environmental conservation activities inorder to promote the horizontal development offiscal 2015 were 3.1 billion yen in expenses and 1.0

environmental initiatives, a presentation meeting is held

billion yen in investments. This represents a 0.3 billion

once a year to showcase outstanding examples of

yen fall in expenses and a 0.3 billion yen increase inenvironmental activities.

investments against the previous fiscal year. Energy
costs fell by 1.5 billion yen as a result of consolidating
our manufacturing bases through reforms of theEnvironmental Accounting

business structure.

Furukawa Electric Group has introduced

Please see P.59 for details of the companies included

environmental accounting and works hard to promotein the scope of data collation. Please see below for theefficient and effective environmental activities throughcollated results of environmental accounting.

the quantitative identification of environmental
conservation costs and effects.

CSR

Collation is implemented in reference to the Ministry of

Messagefrom “Environmental Accounting Guidelines
the Environment’s
the General
Environmental education programs
Managers
Category of educational
training

Content

Education for new recruits(once a year, mandatory)

General environmental conservation activities

EMS activities (asneeded, mandatory)

Environmental Policy and purpose, goals andgeneral knowledge pertaining to the environment

http://www.furukawa.co.jp/en/csr/

New recruits

Generalemployees

Mid-career
employees

Newly appointed
Management
section managers

Training for new recruits

ISO14001-related education Requirements of ISO standards, environment
regulations, procedures for internal environment
audits, various drills(two-day course)(twice a
Messagefromyear, voluntary)brushup course
theOne-day
General(once a year, voluntary)
Managers
Environmental subjects(as needed, voluntary)

Trends in environmental regulations, various drills
to brush up auditing skills
Environmentally considerate design
Environmental regulations
Control of chemical substances contained in products

Consolidated environmental
Seminars by experts on priority issues
management seminars

Message fromthe General
Managers

責任者の
メッセージ
Hisashi Iwama
General Manager, Safety& Environment Promotion
Department, Production
Technology Division

In respect to environmental activities, we have promoted environmental
conservation activities in cooperation with our colleagues around the world inaccordance with the group management policy. Regarding environmental activities
in fiscal 2015, we discussed our medium to long-term targets in anticipation of
COP21 and promoted the following three priority policies: I. Resource conservation(energy conservation); II. Social contribution; and III. Prevention of pollution. It is thesocial responsibility of manufacturers to ensure that customers can use theirproducts and services in safety and with peace of mind. What’s more, we want our
products and services to help society as a whole become “bright and fun”, and ourbusiness activities to contribute to the conservation of the global environment.
Accordingly, the first thing we need to do is efficiently use limited resources andenergy during manufacturing in order to achieve reductions in greenhouse gases(GHG). At Nikko Works, we have increased the production of products carried out
using hydroelectric power. Secondly, in our production development and production
activities, we need to prevent pollution, including the appropriate management ofchemical substances etc., and to give consideration to biodiversity. At Yokohama
Works, we have launched initiatives to cultivate endangered species of flowers thatonce flourished. We will continue to promote environmental management activities
that allow us to contribute to the realization of a truly rich society, while leaving
behind a beautiful natural environment for future generations.

FURUKAWA ELECTRIC GROUP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 201649

●●● Initiatives for Environment

Material Flow
Environmental Impact of the Furukawa Electric Group in Fiscal 2015
We tallied data for Furukawa Electric, 33 Group companies in Japan, and 54 Group companies overseas—a total of
88 companies.
Please refer to page 59 for a list of all applicable companies.

INPUT
Category

OUTPUT

Domestic Overseas

Unit

Category

Raw materials
165,182
7,059
2,259
534
22
8
0
3,658
0
0
31,182

168,166
26,455
7,618
34
3,038
40,119

t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t

Energy

7,393

8,155

TJ

Electricity(purchased electricity)
Electricity(hydroelectric electricity)
Electricity (solar electricity)
City gas
LPG
Heavy fuel oil A
Kerosene
Light oil

496,255

682,749

MWh

86,640

-

MWh

8
5,515
16,996
8,313
1,729
223

8,361
2,251
7
233
47

MWh
1000 m3
t
kl
kl
kl

Water

19,8872,6491000 m3

16,272
2,881
734

42
309
2,297

1000 m3
1000 m3
1000 m3

50,373-

Furukawa Electric

Total waste
generated (note 4)
Final waste disposal
Recycling amount33,571

18,341t

241
7 works,
32,18033 Group companies
Atmospheric emissions
in Japan
350,740
CO
and
SOx
46
222
54 Group companies NOx
Soot10
overseas

10,2898,087

tt

456,388
-

t-CO2
t
t
t

2

Chemical substances
Volume emitted
Volume transferred

168
146

-

16,9201,6541000 m3

16,451
15,248
1,185
18
469

475
243
0
232
1,179

1000 m3
1000 m3
1000 m3
1000 m3
1000 m3

40
34
22

-

t
t
t

Product shipping volume306,005―t

Product collection volume

10,159

―

t

579
0
325
595

-

t
t
t
t

1,121

99,886

Wastewater
Public waterways
Rivers
Sea
Other
Sewer
BOD
COD
SS

Chemical substances
Volume handled (note 1)t

Packaging (note 2)
Cardboard
Wood
Plastic
Paper

Paper

698
1,161
85
49

1,463
1,923
570
-

t
t
t
t

47

-

t

(note 1) PRTR-listed substances(note 2) Cardboard, wood, plastic, and paper used in product shipping(note 3) Including valuable resources (Japan)(note 4) Emissions off-site

50

Unit

Waste (note 3)

CopperAluminum
Iron
NickelChromium
Manganese
Magnesium
Other metals
RubberGlass
Plastic

Industrial water
Groundwater
Tap water

Domestic Overseas

FURUKAWA ELECTRIC GROUP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016

Type of cable
Plastics
MetalsOther

Volume of water
recycled and reusedtt1000 m3

Initiatives for Environment ●●●Targets and Performance of Environmental Conservation Activities
Achieved

Partially achieved

Not achieved

Furukawa Electric Group (Japan)
Activity

Fiscal 2015 activity goal

Fiscal 2015
results

Reduction of absoluteamount of waste

3% reduction from fiscal 2012

0.8%
reduction

1% decrease from fiscal 2015
(Specific consumption)

Decrease zero emissions
rate

0.3% or less0.07%
(achieved)

Zero emissions rate of 0.3%
or less

Reduction of water
consumption

2% decrease from fiscal 2013in specific consumption

3.6% increase

1% decrease from fiscal 2015
(Specific consumption)

Greenhouse gas emissions

3% reduction from fiscal 2012

16.1%
reduction

3% reduction from fiscal 2013

Energy consumption

3% reduction from fiscal 2012

16.5%
reduction-

Energy consumption rateduring production (sales)

6% decrease from fiscal 201218.5%
reduction

6% decrease from fiscal 2013(Specific consumption)

Energy consumption rateduring transport

3% reduction from fiscal 2012

17% increase

1% reduction from fiscal 2015
(Specific consumption)

Energy consumption rate in
offices

3% reduction from fiscal 2012

4.3%
reduction

Conservation of biodiversity

Participation in regional
biodiversity conservation

Implemented

Environmentally friendly design activities

Sales ratio of environmentallyfriendly products 30% or higher
Contribution to reducing
environmental burden CO2
reduction of 50,000 tons or higher

Waste reduction
activities
Efficient utilizationof water

Activities for theprevention of
global warming

Activities for the
managementof chemical
substances

30.6%
74,000 tons

VOC emissions

3% reduction from fiscal 2012

9.9%
reduction

Products containing
chemical substances

Suitable management

Noabnormalities

0 accidents, 3 or lessabnormal incidents

accidents 3
abnormal 4

No. of environmental accidents/abnormal incidents

Evaluation

Fiscal 2016 environmental
conservation activity goals

1% decrease from fiscal 2015
(Specific consumption)
Protecting biodiversity andusing sustainable resources
to contribute to society
Sales ratio of environmentallyfriendly products 35% or higher
Contribution to reducing
environmental burden CO2
reduction of 60,000 tons or higher
Reducing environmental risk
at all stages of a product’s
lifecycle
0 accidents, 3 or lessabnormal incidents

30 of our overseas Group companies have already obtained ISO14001 certification. These companies have set goals according to their unique circumstances for five
shared environmental conservation activities for fiscal 2014 (reduced waste, reduced water consumption, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced energy consumption
rates, and management of chemical substances), and are working toward achieving these goals.

Activities Targets and Performance in Fiscal 2015

fiscal 2018, and we will implement thorough measuresacross the group with a view to achieving our targets.

Furukawa Electric Group sets out environmental

For overseas group companies, we have set a

conservation activities targets for each fiscal year innumerical target of a 1% reduction against fiscal 2015

accordance with the three-yearly mid-term(base units) in respect to the three common targets

environmental targets. As the last year of the three-year(water usage, greenhouse gas emissions and energy

plan measure against fiscal 2012, in fiscal 2015 we haveconsumption) set as standard objectives across theworked as an entire group with the goal of achieving

group, both in Japan and overseas.

these targets.
We achieved our group target in greenhouse gas
emissions as part of our activities aimed at helping to

Midium and lomg term targets

prevent global warming. This included the concentration

Furukawa Electric Group has identified threeof our manufacturing bases for a number of products,“materialities” (greenhouse gas measures, effective use

as part of our business structure reforms. In respect toof resources, and conservation of biodiversity), and set

energy consumption, both Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.

medium to long-term targets by 2020. Regarding theand its group companies achieved their targets.

medium-term target for greenhouse gases, we aim to
reduce CO2 emissions by at least 26% by 2030 against

Activity Targets in Fiscal 2016
Fiscal 2016 is the first year of the three-year plan to2013 levels, based on the Japanese draft pledge. The
long-term target is for reductions of at least 50% in CO2emissions by 2050, in reference to IPCC AR5.
FURUKAWA ELECTRIC GROUP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 201651

●●● Initiatives for Environment

Environmentally Friendly ProductsE nvironmentally Friendly Products and thee-Friendly Accreditation System

Environmentally friendly products as a percentage of sales
Cumulative number of registered items (Furukawa Electric)
Cumulative number of registered items (Group Companies)
Percentage of sales on a single-year basis (Furukawa Electric)
Percentage of sales on a single-year basis (Consolidated)

Furukawa Electric Group certifies and registers asenvironmentally friendly products those products withimproved performance compared to existing products in120

the categories of materials and parts purchasing and100

manufacture, use, distribution and disposal.

41.1

80
60
40

We have created the “e-Friendly” environmental markto identify such environmentally friendly products. This

0

41.6

85

73

42.6
91

50

43.4

48.3

97

40
106
30.6
30

24.7

24.5

16

17

25

2011

2012

2013

20.3

20

The e-friendly mark（％）(No. registered)

24.4
75

10

35
2014

20

2015

0
(FY)

Environmental Performance Indicator “Visualization”
As part of its efforts to create (visualize) indices formark is placed on those products.

environmental performance, Furukawa Electric Group

Categories of Environmentally Friendly Products
The Group's environmentally friendly products belong

has promoted “visualization” of CO2 emissions by using
life cycle assessments (LCA).
We set a target of promoting LCA calculations at

to one of four categories described below.

group companies from fiscal 2013 based on the CO2

Environmentally friendly product categories

emissions base units for each product that were

Category

Content

Prevention of
global warming

Products with functions that help in the
reduction of emissions as well as theabsorption and stabilizing of greenhouse gases.

Zero emission

Products made from recycled materials,
products designed with easyto-recycle
components, products made from materials
or with design facilitating volume reduction
for lowering waste volume, products
designed to share common components
with other products or products designed ascommon components.

Elimination ofmaterials that havean impact on theenvironment

Products that do not lead to an increase in
the use of ozone-depletive substances during
the manufacturing process, do not containharmful substances above regulatory limits
and do not generate harmful substances
above these limits during use or disposal.

Resource savings

Products that result in overall energy savings
by such means as reducing the use of raw
materials and components as well as scarce
resources, featuring enhanced longevity,
allowing easier product and component
maintenance, and reducing the use forresources in packaging.

established by fiscal 2012. By fiscal 2015, we had
carried out LCA calculations for leading products at 21
companies. The results of the calculations will be used
to promote the GHG Protocol (note 1), as well as intechnical materials and sales promotion pamphlets, andin research and development for the environmentallyfriendly products of the future.
(note) G HG Protocol: An international guidelines for the method of
calculating corporate greenhouse gas emissions

	
Initiatives to Reduce CO2 Emissions from
Products during Use
B a s e d o n i t s t r a c k re c o rd i n e n v i ro n m e n t a lperformance indexing, we are working to visualize thereduction of CO2 which is emitted when our products
are at the stage of being used. According to theestimate for fiscal 2015, total emission volume in thedomestic market of our mainstay products, copper foil,

Expanding Environmentally Friendly Products

52

rectangular magnet wire and semiconductor laser,
amounted to 74,000 tons - CO2/year. Going forward, we

We are working to increase our overall percentage ofwill try to expand sales of each product category andenvironmentally friendly products. We set targets based

increase the number of contributing products, so thaton percentage of sales, and confirm our progress andwe can develop our activities to tackle environmental

success on this basis.

issues through our products.

FURUKAWA ELECTRIC GROUP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016

Initiatives for Environment ●●●Preventing Global Warming

Reduction of CO2 emissions throughcopper foil for electric car batteries
Copper foil for electrode material of lithium-ion batteries

Copper foils contribution
to electric cars

Reducing CO2 Emissions
Measures at our factories

Lithium ion battery
Negative
electrodeterminal
Separator
Negative
electrode
plate

Positive
electrode

Separator

The main greenhouse gas emitted by Furukawa
Electric Group is CO2 that arises from the consumptionof energy sources, such as electricity and fuel. In orderto achieve emissions reductions particularly in our
manufacturing processes, which account for a large
percentage of our emissions, we have implemented
energy-saving measures such as streamlining of the
manufacturing process, switching fuels, upgrading toElectrodeposited
copper foil for
lithium-ion battery:“NC-WS”

Positive
electrodeplate

highly efficient equipment, and insulating hightemperature parts of equipment.
CO2 emissions for the domestic group in fiscal 2015
were 351,000 MT/year, which was a 20.1% reduction

CO2 reduction of semiconductor lasers

against fiscal 2000. CO2 emissions for the overseas

Narrow-bandwidth-FBT (tunable wavelength laser)

hard as a group to promote activities that reduce
emissions.

2600 μm
500 μmTunable wavelength
laser chipgroup were 456,000 MT/year. We will continue to work

30 mm
Transponder(optical transceiver)
Tunable wavelength
laser module

CO2 emissions(104 tons-CO2)Group companies in Japan
Furukawa ElectricGroup companies overseas

100

75 mm

80

30.5 mm

41.8

43.2

45.2

45.6

13.0

15.5

16.5

16.2

13.2

24.4

24.9

24.7

21.8

21.9

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

60

Tunable wavelength laser assembly(with control circuit)

Wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM)
transmission system

40
20
0

CO2 reduction of enameled extruded rectangular wire
Rectangular wire for HV motors(FY)(note) For the overseas CO2 emission coefficient, the coefficient for eachcountry under the GHG Protocol is used for purchased electricity,while the Japanese emission coefficient is used otherwise.

CO2 emissions (Scope 1, Scope 2) (Domestic)
Extruded resin layer(104 tons-CO2e)

Scope 1

Scope 2

50

Enamel layer
Rectangular conductor

40
30

27.5

20
10
0

16.4
2000

26.6

30.2

31.7

29.0

10.7

10.2

9.5

9.0

9.3

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015 (FY)25.8

FURUKAWA ELECTRIC GROUP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 201653

●●● Initiatives for Environment

CO2 emissions (Scope 1, Scope 2) (Overseas)(10 tons-CO2e)
4

Scope 1CO2 emissions related to transportation (Furukawa Electric)(t-CO2)

Scope 250

20,00019,100

40
30
20

36.4

37.9

40.4

39.9

5.4

5.3

4.8

5.7

2012

2013

2014

2015 (FY)

Energy consumption(1,000 kℓ)

15,30014,300

5,000

10
0

14,90010,00014,80014,50015,000

0

2006

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015 (FY)

Measures to disclose environmental information

Group companies in Japan
Furukawa ElectricGroup companies overseas

Furukawa Electric Group responds to requests from500

external organizations to provide environmental

400

information. Since fiscal 2008, we have answered
184

300

194

201

210

enquiries from CDP (note 1) , which is the largest
organization of its kind in the world. Since fiscal 2013,

200

76

76

76

74

62

100

163

149

137

119

125

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015 (FY)0

we have handled supply chain program requests from
customers in the communications and automotive fields.
Since fiscal 2014, we have calculated emissions scopes
1, 2 and 3 (note 2), increased the volume of information wecollect, and strengthened our benvironmental

information management system with the aim of

Initiatives in Logistics

disclosing environmental information at a global level.

The entire Furukawa Electric Group transported
213,000,000 ton-kilometers during fiscal 2015—adecrease of 5.9% from fiscal 2014. Of this, Furukawa

Greenhouse emission burden for CDP disclosure (1,000 t-CO2e/year)

Electric itself transported 119,000,000 ton-kilometers,
Scope 1 (direct emissions)150

result, we were able to keep CO2 emissions down to

Scope 2 (indirect emissions)14,300 tons—3.8% down from fiscal 2014.

Scope 3 (other)

Unfortunately, our output rate rose 8.0% since fiscal(note 1) C DP: CDP is an organization formed from institutional
investors for the purpose of managing a project requiring
companies to disclose their strategies for climate change
and the specific amount of greenhouse gases theygenerate.
(note 2) Scopes 1, 2, and 3
 irect emissions from offices caused by the use of
Scope 1: D
fossil fuels, etc.
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from outside offices caused by theuse of electricity, steam and heat
Scope 3: As other emissions, Indirect emissions from purchased
product services, business trips, commuting, andupstream shipping, etc.

2012, our base year for this goal. We will continue withinitiatives to promote modal shift, increase loading rates
and encourage joint shipping.
Modal shift (note 1) and specific consumption (note 2) (Furukawa Electric)
Specific consumption
Rate of modal shift(MJ/ton-kilometers)

2.0
1.6

1.90

1.64

1.2
0.8
0.4

1.58

1.64

7.4

9.1

(%)

1.66

1.71

15
12

9.7

8.8

Reducing Waste

3

3.6

0

2006

657
1,949

9
6

6.6

0

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015 (FY)(note 1) Modal shift rate: percentage of total transportation using
railways or shipping(note 2) Base unit: Energy consumption per transportation unit (MJ/t-km)

54

FY2015which was a decrease of 8.4% from fiscal 2014. As a

FURUKAWA ELECTRIC GROUP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016

Waste Reduction Initiatives
In 1993 Furukawa Electric Group began its efforts toincrease waste recycling, and since fiscal 2001 has

Initiatives for Environment ●●●continued its zero emissions activities with the goal of
reducing total emissions of industrial waste disposed inlandfills to less than 0.3% (the base value was cut infiscal 2014 from 1% to 0.3%).

Water Resources
Effective Utilization of Water

Due to our efforts to thoroughly separate garbage andSince fiscal 2013, Furukawa Electric Group has

promote recycling, the entire Japanese Group reduced

promoted effective water use as one of its activities

its amount of non-recycled waste to 1,170 tons in fiscal

targets, and identified water intake and wastewater at

2015, an 88% reduction from fiscal 2004. The entire

each base. It has also set targeted reductions in base

Japanese Group also reduced the amount of waste

units versus fiscal 2015 sales. Water intake at Furukawa

disposed in landfills to 20 tons, a 99% reduction from

Electric Group in fiscal 2015 was 2,200 m3/100 million

fiscal 2004 (this excludes waste disposal companies

yen, which was a 1.7% increase against fiscal 2013.

within the Group).

Wastewater was 1,700 m3/100 million yen, which was a

In fiscal 2014, we launched activities aimed at

2.9% decrease against fiscal 2013. Furukawa Electric

reducing our total waste output, including valuable

will continue working hard to save and recycle water,

resources. However, the impact of restructuring meant

and to manage water quality and wastewater volumes.

that we only achieved a reduction of 0.8% against a

Furthermore, at Nikko Works, we have launched antargeted reduction of 3% against fiscal 2012 for the

initiative to identify actual usage of water resources fromJapanese group (there was an increase in waste ofeach individual facility.

0.6% at group companies and a reduction of 1.5% at
Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.). Unfortunately, this meantthat we failed to meet our target (with the exception ofVolume of water intake (water source)waste disposal companies within the group).

Inside Furukawa
Electric Group

Total amount of waste matter generated
Furukawa Electric & Group companies in Japan
Group companies overseas(1,000 tons)

Volume ofrainwater use

80

60

32

31

38

40

20

0

36

39

2004

2011

23

18

34

34

34

34

2012

2013

2014

2015 (FY)

Volume of recycled water(note) Valuable resources are included in total waste generated forJapan only.

Direct landfill disposal

Volume of wastewater (drainage)

Furukawa Electric & Group companies in Japan
Group companies overseas(1,000 tons)

20

Consumption unit of water intake and wastewater
15.3(m3/million yen)

15

3.0

10

5

0

7.2
2.4
2004

10.3

8.6
5.6

2.5

2.09

2.0
1.5

0.9

0.7

0.4

0.3

0.2

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015 (FY)

1.76

2.31
1.99

1.0

2.25

2.20

1.92

1.93

1.87

Water intake consumption unit
Wastewater consumption unit

0.5
0.0

2.16

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015 (FY)FURUKAWA ELECTRIC GROUP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 201655

●●● Initiatives for Environment

Chemical Substance Management
Green Activities
Response to Customer Requests
When Furukawa Electric Group receives a request fromchemical substances contained in products and its
management status as well as by confirming the data ofchemical substances contained in products.

Chemical Substance Management Activities

a customer for information concerning chemical

Furukawa Electric Group undertakes voluntary

substances in our products, it conducts a thoroughinitiatives to reduce emissions of harmful chemical

environmental examination. We also monitor trends in laws

substances. In particular, we make every effort toand regulations covering the chemical substances

actively reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds

contained in products and compile and update data as it(VOC), one cause of photochemical smog. In fiscal 2015

becomes available, allowing us to respond promptly to

we achieved a reduction of 9.9%—far surpassing ourcustomer requests. Furthermore, by collecting information

goal of a 3% reduction from fiscal 2012.

from industrial organizations and conducting seminars, aswell as participating in research groups, we can monitor
environmental regulations and standards and social issues/
items of concern. This enables us to incorporate customer
needs in our environmental conservation targets.

Emissions of volatile organic compounds(Group Companies in Japan)(tons)

300

Response to overseas regulations and managementof chemical substances contained in products
Furukawa Electric Group establishes a management
system for chemical substances contained in products
for major operational bases and affiliated companies,
strengthens the environmental product regulations andgrasps the environmental risk that should be lowered,and implements measures depending on theirGroup companies

303
107

295
103

200

100

0

196

192

2012

2013

251
99

273
100

152

172

2014

2015 (FY)(note) Volatile organic compounds are the 118 substances specified by
The Japanese Electric Wire & Cable Makers’ Association(January 2012 edition).

importance. Each time a new SVHC (Substance of Very

Appropriate Management of Chemical SubstancesHigh Concern) (note 1) is added to the candidate list of

At Furukawa Electric Group, we confirm the properties

an environmental product regulation named the EU

and applicable laws and regulations regarding all

REACH regulation, we investigate the status of its

chemical substances we use during the manufacturing

usage. In fiscal 2015, we conducted an environmental

process on their Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) andinspection on 168 substances, covering up to the 14th

administrate them. We also monitor the usage volume

SVHC list of the REACH regulations.

of chemical substances listed in the PRTR Law (note 2).

(note 1) S ubstance of Very High Concern: Use or marketing of SVHCs
requires approval, and manufacturers are liable to submit
notification if an SVHC exceeds 0.1% weight content.

(note 2) Act on Confirmation, etc. of Release Amounts of SpecificChemical Substances in the Environment and Promotionof Improvements to the Management Thereof

Expansion of Green Procurement (GeneralPurpose Products) to Group Companies
Furukawa Electric encourage the purchasing of OA
equipment, office supplies and other items that conformto the Green Purchasing Law. In an effort to spread

56

Furukawa Electric

400

Environmental Risk Management
Preventing Soil and Groundwater Pollution

these activities within the Group, 17 affiliated companies

Furukawa Electric Group conducts regular inspections

designated conforming items in fiscal 2015 andof facilities and equipment that handle specific toxic

purchased them. Also, items that will be used in our

substances to prevent the pollution of soil andproducts are purchased adequately based on the Green

groundwater. We reduce the risk of pollution throughProcurement Guidelines of our operational division, by

measures to prevent leaks of specific toxic substances

evaluating the suppliers’ system on the management ofand underground seepage, as well as through ongoing

FURUKAWA ELECTRIC GROUP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2016

Initiatives for Environment ●●●efforts to switch to substitute substances.

Biodiversity Conservation
PCB Management
Furukawa Electric Group identifies the volume of high-Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives

concentration PCB-containing equipment at Furukawa

In fiscal 2011, Furukawa Electric Group included

Electric Co., Ltd.’s works and at the bases of our groupbiodiversity conservation measures in our Basiccompanies, and carries out appropriate storage andEnvironment Policy. In fiscal 2014, we formulated

management. We have been gradually disposing of thiscomprehensive guidelines in relation to initiatives aimed

equipment in accordance with a plan set out by theat protecting biodiversity.

Japan Environmental Storage & Safety Corporation, andIn fiscal 2015, as part of its efforts to contribute tosuch equipment now remains in just a few areas. We

regional society, Furukawa Research Inc. launchedhave carried out analysis and surveys of equipment that

activities to cultivate within the grounds of Furukawa

has the potential to contain low concentration PCB, andElectric Co. Ltd.’s Yokohama Works the flower Pulsatilla

we have started disposing of some of this equipment.

cernua, which has been designated as an Endangered

We will continue to dispose of such equipment in aSpecies II (note 1).

systematic way.

(note 1) E ndangered Species II is a category of species for which
the danger of extinction is becoming more serious.

C ompliance with Environmental Laws and Other Regulations
F u r u k a w a E l e c t r i c G ro u p re g u l a r l y c o n f i r m s

稀少植物をみんなで育てよう～生物多様性保全活動～
古河テクノリサーチでは生物多様性の保全活動に取り組んでいます。 その一環として、 絶滅危惧Ⅱ類に指定されているオキナグサを育てていenvironmental laws and other regulations to determineます。 3 ～ 4 月に可憐な花を咲かせ、５月にはitems requiring compliance. We ensure compliance in a

させ、 地域社会へ還元することで絶滅の危機を

number of ways, such as by conducting on-site patrols「すべての事業活動が与える生態系への影響に

to check the state of compliance. We follow official
journals and other sources of information to stay
updated on revisions to environmental legislation and

翁の白髪のような種が付きます。
横浜事業所敷地を借用して稀少植物を増殖救うことが目的です。
古河電工グループ CSR 行動規範の中にある、

オキナグサの種（5 月）

オキナグサの花（3 ～ 4 月）

昔は横浜でも自生していたんだって！

将来の世代のためにも必要な活動だね！

配慮し、生物多様性の保全と持続可能な資源利用に努めます」を本活動を通じて実践します。
※園芸店で売られているオキナグサはヨーロッパ原産の外来種がほとんどですが、ここでは日本の在来種を植栽しています。

Evocation of Pulsatilla cernua development activities poster

ensure that our response is thorough.
We maintain voluntary control limits and manage
operations appropriately to ensure compliance with the Air
Pollution Control Law and the Water Pollution Control Law.
In fiscal 2015, we carried out site inspections at ten
bases of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. and Japanesegroup companies in accordance with the Poisonous andDeleterious Substances Control Act. We will continue tocarry out appropriate management of harmful chemical
substances, including poisonous substances.
We also conduct annual checks for conceivable, clear
environmental impact to prevent environmental
accidents or prevent widespread impact in the event ofan accident. According to our survey on the status of
our regulatory compliance, we were not in material
violation of any regulations.
Please see the URL below for our response to theasbestos problem, and a list of PRTR compatible materials.
CSR
http://www.furukawa.co.jp/en/csr/risk/

Furukawa Electric Group
Biodiversity Conservation Guidelines
1.	Evaluate the effects that our businessactivities have on the ecosystem, andminimize the harmful effects while
maximizing the beneficial ones
2.	To sustainably use resources and conserve
biodiversity, consider more than ever theneed to carry out measures against climatechange, conserve resources, recycle andreduce environmentally hazardous
substances
3.	Carry out activities in collaboration with local
communities to conserve biodiversity

FURUKAWA ELECTRIC GROUP SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 201657