Responsible Care ReportSocial & Environmental
Report2015

Creating a Better Future Through Monozukuri

Message from the
President

Shuichi Sarasawa
Representative Director, President & CEO
Central Glass Co., Ltd.

Contributing to the Establishment of a Truly
Prosperous Society through Monozukuri
Central Glass’s Social Responsibility

Corporate Philosophy

healthy, and comfortable lifestyles while giving care to thewe have been cultivating and sharing since the Company’senvironment, safety, and quality.

establishment and is the starting line for our corporate

Our social responsibility is to help create prosperous,

Our Corporate Philosophy is a statement of the aspirations

activities.
Central Glass was founded in 1936 with the goal of manufacturing

In March 2015, we articulated the aspirations cultivated andand selling soda products. With subsequent changes in its

shared since the Company’s establishment as the Central Glassbusiness structure including entry into the glass business andGroup Corporate Philosophy.

expansion into the fine chemicals business, Central Glass has

The Corporate Philosophy comprises the Basic Philosophy andmade headway into a business field combining“commodities andBasic Policy. The Basic Philosophy is“Creating a Better Future

fine products”and“glass and chemicals.”The Company has also

Through Monozukuri ”. The Central Glass Group will contributeactively pursued the development of new products based on ﬂatto the establishment of a truly prosperous society through theglass and chemical products.

spirit of Monozukuri.

We are currently working to reinforce our business foundations

The Basic Policy presents a more specific direction in which towith the glass business and chemicals business as our core

move toward achievement of the Basic Philosophy. It consists ofbusinesses, while also leveraging our original technology tofour policies: (1) Create new value through original technology;

expand into the area of highly functional and high-added value(2) Pursue harmony with the environment and harmonious

products. We have also established a basic policy of increasing

coexistence with society; (3) Strive to increase corporate value

our corporate value through a commitment to the environment

powered by global growth; and (4) Aspire to be a vibrantand energy savings as well as global business expansion.

company that respects the pioneering spirit and diversity.

We fulfill our social responsibility as a manufacturer through these

The Corporate Philosophy represents the aspirations that thekinds of businesses as well as by preserving the environment,

Central Glass Group must communicate to its stakeholders.

safety, and quality throughout the entire lifecycle, from productIt will serve as the starting line from which we carry out thedevelopment to disposal, as part of our responsible care

Central Glass Group’s corporate activities, and I believe that it

initiatives.

will increase our sense of identity and strengthen our power as
a Group.

2

Social & Environmental Report 2015

Corporate Philosophy System
Corporate Philosophy
Basic Philosophy

Creating a Better Future ThroughMonozukuri ＊The Central Glass Group will contribute to the establishment of a truly
prosperous society through the spirit of Monozukuri.
Monozukuri refers to all the business activities in which the Central Glass Group engages with a basic stance of integrity and＊sincerity, including R&D, quality oriented manufacturing, and sales.

Basic Policy

Code of Conduct

Mid-Term Management Plan

Corporate Social Responsibility(Environment)

Mid-Term Management Plan

Global Expansion

Environment and energy, (2) Life sciences, and (3) Comfortable

and chemicals sectors.

We are pursuing new growth based on three key phrases: (1)We are steadily expanding our businesses in both the glass

living.
We have formulated a five-year medium-term management plan

The Central Glass Group is actively pursuing a global presence.

that began in fiscal 2014. Under the plan, we are implementing

Outside Japan we have sites in the United States, the United

four basic strategies with a core policy of “achieving new

Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg, China, Taiwan, South Korea,

growth by strengthening our business foundations and original

India, and Vietnam. In recent years, our automotive glass businesstechnologies.”

has aggressively invested business resources overseas in line with

The four strategies are: (1) Achieve revenue growth throughthe global expansion of our customers, and in November 2014,

aggressive investment in growth businesses, focusing on the key

we acquired two subsidiaries of Guardian Industries Corporation.

phrases of environment and energy, life sciences, and comfortable

In addition, we agreed to establish a joint venture in Indonesia

living; (2) Promote structural reforms in existing core businesses;with France-based Saint-Gobain S.A. In the chemicals business,(3) Aggressively expand overseas operations and strengthen

we are steadily expanding our business with a focus on China andGroup management; and (4) Strengthen our R&D structure with

South Korea.

our eyes set ten years into the future.

At the same time, the expansion of the manufacturing industry

In the glass business, we will work to stay in the black by improving

in Japan has become severely constrained by the country’sbusiness revenue in Japan, while outside Japan we will movedeclining population and changes in its industrial structure. For

ahead with the development of an automotive glass production

our part, as a path toward survival in the Japanese manufacturingsystem and improvement of our customer service. We are focusing

industry, we are sticking to a policy of refining our technology,

on architectural eco-glass, high-performance automotive glass, andcosts, and quality and conducting manufacturing and sales close

glass for electronic materials as growth businesses.

to points of demand, with Japan as a mother plant.

In the chemicals business, we discontinued production of soda
ash at the end of May 2015 and will accelerate the restructuringof this business into a growth business. At our Ube Plant weare building production facilities for low-GWP ﬂuorocarbons,
which are currently produced at our Kawasaki Plant, with thegoal of starting operations in the second half of fiscal 2016. We

R&D Backing Sustainable Growth

We strive to carry out R&D that accurately captures market
needs while keeping contribution to society as our first andforemost goal.

anticipate surging demand for electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries

We have designated explorations and R&D that will contributeto continue in the future, and therefore plan to start production into the enlargement of our business foundation in the long term

China in early 2016 following South Korea. We are also focusing
on environmentally friendly fertilizers, ﬂuorine-related products
for semiconductors, and active ingredients and intermediates for
agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals as growth businesses into
which we are investing aggressively.

as our“Future Fund”and are using them to pursue expansion
into new business fields that are growing. The objective of theFund is to nurture new businesses and technologies from along-term perspective. Accordingly, in fiscal 2011 we switchedfrom control of R&D expenditure by each business division to asystem in which it is directly controlled by top management. We

Social & Environmental Report 20153

of handling our accelerating global expansion, we are working
to foster talent that can play an active role in a wide range offields through programs such as ones for learning English andChinese as well as various educational programs targeting young
employees. In addition, female workers in Japan are expected toplay an active role to help society cope with the shrinking laborpool brought on by the declining population. Here at Central
Glass, we are doing our best to improve the working environment
for female employees. We are actively implementing programs
to support the development of the next generation, such as
our maternity and childcare leave programs. Not only are we
supporting women during childbirth and childrearing throughmeasures such as shortened working hours during childcare, but
we are also encouraging male employees to take childcare leave.
The results of these initiatives are already starting to appear.
In recent years, the diversity movement, which aims to produce
set aside a budget for a corporate R&D program in addition to
the traditional programs run by business divisions, and will use it
to pursue original R&D with our sights set 10 and even 20 years
down the road.
We call this corporate R&D program“New-STEP,”and through it
we will explore new business fields that merge core technology

synergistic effects by welcoming diverse human resources,
has gained momentum. At Central Glass, we will continue to
strive toward the promotion of diversity that can strengthen our

Monozukuri through efforts such as supporting the careers offemale employees, rehiring of employees after retirement age,
and increasing recruitment of foreign nationals.

elements of both glass and chemicals as well as developing
new materials. We hope to rapidly create new products andbusinesses by focusing on development that accurately captures
market needs, including environmentally friendly materials andnew functional materials.
Our R&D has gradually begun to achieve results as products forelectronic materials that were developed through collaboration
between our Chemical Research Center and Glass ResearchCenter have entered the stage of mass production.

human

resources.

origins lie in Ube Soda Industry Co., Ltd., which was founded
in 1936. At Central Glass, which started out as a chemicalof a truly prosperous society through the spirit of Monozukuri.”
The Central Glass Group remains committed to this aspiration

At Central Glass we believe that Monozukuri starts with
developing

Central Glass will mark its 80th anniversary next year. Our

we have a strong tradition of“contribute to the establishment

We will maintain a commitment to developing humanresources and the promotion of diversity.

or

We will pursue sustainable growth while deepening
ties with stakeholders.

company producing fertilizers based on soda industry products,

Monozukuri Starts with Hitozukuri(Developing Human Resources)

Hitozukuri,

Toward Our 100th Anniversary

That

is,

to

manufacture excellent products, one must first foster exceptionalthat we have carried with us since our founding as we headtoward our 80th and then our 100th anniversaries. Along theway, we will pursue sustainable growth while deepening ties
with stakeholders, including customers and local communities.
We look forward to your continued understanding and support
as we move ahead into the future.

human resources. In order to develop human resources capable

Environmental Principles
Central Glass will help create a truly prosperous society through the production of goods and services
by giving consideration to the global environment, health, and safety at all times.

“Doing everything in the interests ofhumanity and the global environment.”
Action Guidelines
1 We will give consideration to the protection of the global
environment and people’s health and safety on a group-wide scale
in all activities spanning from R&D to production and sales.

the earth’s resources and by recycling waste.
5 We will observe laws and regulations relating to the environment,

2 We will build frameworks and systems that promote environmentally-

health and safety, and make efforts in communicating with citizens.

conscious corporate activities and strive to make continual

6 As an employee of the company, each and every one of us will

improvements.
3 We will make efforts to develop products and production
technologies that are friendly to the global environment.

4

4 We will strive to build a recycling-based society by effectively using

Social & Environmental Report 2015

strive to contribute to society with a focus on the local community.

Contents
Message from the President

P２

Corporate Governance and Compliance

P１３

Editorial Policy

P５

Environment & Safety Management

P１４

Business Outline of the Central Glass Group P６

SafetyP１7

Products of the Central Glass Group

Environment

P２０

Quality

P２３Special Features

Society

P２４

1 ‌A Next-Generation Blowing Agent That Will

Employees

P２６

Activities at Individual Plants

P２８

P８

Help in the Fight Against Global Warming P１0
2 ‌Development of Radio Wave-Transmitting
Heat Shielding Automotive Glass

P１2

Editorial Policy
We in the Central Glass Group have published this report with the objective of engaging in a dialogue with all of our
stakeholders by reporting on our social and environmental activities. In preparing this report, our goal was to make iteasy to read and understand in order to thoroughly inform readers of our activities.

Reference Guidelines

Scope of the report・‌Environmental Reporting Guidelines 2012 of theCentral Glass Group

Ministry of the Environment・‌Responsible Care (RC) Code of the Japan Responsible
Care Council (JRCC)(The scope of data was only gathered from the plants
and research institutes of Central Glass Co., Ltd. alongwith some of its subsidiaries.)・‌ISO 26000 (Guidance on social responsibility)

Report period
April 2014 to March 2015
(The period for overseas companies was from January
to December 2014)

What Is Responsible Care (RC)?
Most chemical companies voluntarily work to secure the environment, safety, and health throughout
every process, from the development stage for chemical substances through to their manufacture,
distribution, use, final consumption, and lastly their disposal. Those companies then publicize theresults of these activities so as to engage themselves in dialogue and communication with society.
These activities are referred to as responsible care.

Responsible
Care

Social & Environmental Report 20155

Business Outline of the Central Glass Group

Corporate Outline (as of March 31, 2015)

List of Workplaces

Company NameCentral Glass Co., Ltd.

Head Oﬃce

Established

October 10, 1936

Kowa-Hitotsubashi Bldg., 7-1 Kanda-Nishikicho 3-chome,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Number of Employees

1,572 (6,758 consolidated)

Chemical Research

Capital¥18,168.28 million

17-5 Nakadai 2-chome, Kawagoe City, Saitama
5253 Okiube, Ube City, Yamaguchi

Listed Stock ExchangeTokyo Stock Exchange

Centers

Glass Research Center 1510 Okuchi-cho, Matsusaka City, Mie
Ube Plant

5253 Okiube, Ube City, Yamaguchi

Matsusaka Plant

1521-2 Okuchi-cho, Matsusaka City, Mie

Matsusaka Plant

6 Chikko-minamimachi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Osaka

Sakai Mfg. Site
Kawasaki Plant

10-2 Ukishima-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa

Shanghai Rep. Oﬃce

2201 Yan An Road (West), Shanghai, China

Delhi Rep. Oﬃce

Unit. No.103 & 104, Tower B Spaze I-Tech Park,Sector-49,
Sohna-Gurgaon Expressway,Gurgaon, Haryana, India

Trends in net sales and ordinary

Trends in the number■ Net sales■ Non-consolidated ■ Consolidated

income (consolidated)■ Ordinary income(Unit: million yen)

173,543

191,581

199,010of employees

FY2014 sales by segment (consolidated)(Unit: people)

6,758

14,321

11,715

5,009

5,347

44%

9,143

1,542

2012

2013

2014

(FY)

2012

1,545

Chemicals
business

1,572

2013

2014

87.8
billion yen

Total
199
billionyen

56%
Glass business111.2
billion yen(FY)Subsidiaries and Aﬃliates
33 Domestic companies
Central Glass Hokkaido Co., Ltd. *Bishu Silica Sand Co., Ltd.

Central Engineering Co., Ltd.

Tohoku Garasu Kenzai

Japan Tempered & Laminated Glass Co., Ltd.

Ube Delivery Co., Ltd.

Central Glass Tohoku Co., Ltd. *Central Insulation Co., Ltd.

Central Service Co., Ltd.

Central Glass Tokyo Co., Ltd. *Central Glass Fiber Co., Ltd.

Ube Analytical Center Co., Ltd.

Central Glass Engineering Co., Ltd.

Mie Glass Industry Co., Ltd.

Fuji Shipping Co., Ltd.

Tosho Central Co., Ltd.

Central Glass Plant Services Co., Ltd.

Ube Yoshino Gypsum Co., Ltd.

Niigata Yoshino Gypsum Co., Ltd.

Sowa Transportation and Warehouse Co., Ltd.

Ube Ammonia Industries Co., Ltd.

Central Chemical Co., Ltd.

Central Glass Kansai Co., Ltd. *Central Glass Kyushu Co., Ltd. *Central Saint-Gobain Co., Ltd.

Kagi Shoten Co., Ltd. *Central Saint-Gobain Investment Co., Ltd.

Central Glass Module Co., Ltd.

Takada Co., Ltd.

Sun Green Co., Ltd.

Central Glass Chubu Co., Ltd.*Ube Trading Co., Ltd.

TOKUYAMA & CENTRAL SODA Inc.

* Now Central Glass Sale Co., Ltd.

6Social & Environmental Report 2015

Business Division/Segment/Major Products
Float glass, ﬁgured glass, wired glass, heat reﬂective glass, fabricated glass (tempered glass,Architectural glass ﬁre-resistant tempered glass, laminated glass, insulating glass units, crime-prevention glass),
mirrors, anti-fog mirrors, decorated glass, photovoltaic (PV) glass

Glass
Business

Automotive glass

IR-cut glass, UV-cut glass, glass antennas, privacy glass, module glass, acoustic glass, glass with
conductive heating defogger print, head-up display glass, and other various safety glasses

Glass forThin ﬂat glass for LCDs, chemical tempered glass, powder glass and glass paste
electronic materials

Chemicals
Business

Basic chemicals

Soda ash, calcium chloride, polyaluminum chloride, gypsum, hydroﬂuoric acid, ﬂuorocarbon products

Fine chemicals

Active ingredients & intermediates for pharmaceuticals/agrochemicals, ﬂuorinated organic/
inorganic compounds, high purity gases, electronic materials, electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries,
ﬂuorinated organic/inorganic reagents

Fertilizers

NPK compound fertilizer, NK compound fertilizer, coated fertilizer, organic chemical fertilizer,
fertilizer materials, microbiological plant-protection agents/materials

Glass ﬁbers

Glass ﬁber, glass wool

24 Companies Overseas
Northwestern Industries, Inc. (US)Yue Sheng Industrial Co., Ltd. (Taiwan)

Central Glass International, Inc. (US)Taiwan Central Glass Co., Ltd. (Taiwan)

Central Glass America Inc. (US)Giga Gas & Electronic Materials Company (Taiwan)

Carlex Glass Company, LLC (US)Central Glass Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (China)

Carlex Glass America, LLC (US)Zhejiang Central Glass Chemspec Company Ltd. (China)

Carlex Glass of Indiana, Inc. (US)Giga Gas & Electronic Materials Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (China)

SynQuest Laboratories, Inc. (US)Saint-Gobain Central Sekurit (Qingdao) Co., Ltd. (China)

Apollo Scientiﬁc Limited (UK)Central Glass (Zhangjiagang) Co., Ltd. (China)

Central Glass Europe Limited (UK)Central Glass Korea Co., Ltd. (South Korea)

Central Glass Germany GmbH (Germany)

JCEL Co., Ltd. (South Korea)

Carlex Glass Luxembourg, S.A. (Luxembourg)

Thai Central Chemical Public Co., Ltd. (Thailand)
Japan Vietnam Fertilizer Company (Vietnam)
Central Glass Company India Private Limited (India)

Social & Environmental Report 2015

7

Products of the Central Glass Group
Central Glass Group products are used in various ways in order to enrich people s daily lives.
Central Glass Group supplies products related to the ﬁelds of glass and chemicals.
Although the products of Central Glass may not be visible to the general consuming
public, they support many aspects of a comfortable daily life, as well as awell-functioning society and industry. We provide raw materials for glass
products used for buildings/residences and automotive glass
products, as well as raw materials for industrial products,
materials supporting industrial production processes,
fertilizers for agricultural produce, and medical drugs.
Central Glass keeps on pursuing possibilities for the
manufacturing and technologies in which we excel, andwill be pursuing challenging new ﬁelds in the future as wellin order to develop and provide environmentally-friendly
products and products that take people s health andsafety into consideration.

7

Construction/housing glass

1

Magnesium alloy casting non-ﬂammable cover gas

Moisture absorption

4 agent

Chemicals
1. Magnesium alloy casting

3. Powder detergent

non-ﬂammable cover gas

ingredients

Central Glass s ZEM-SCREEN is used

Our soda ash is used as an alkaliasmaterial in powder detergents.

anenvironmentallyfriendly

non-ﬂammable

cover

gas

when

manufacturing

magnesium

cast

4. Moisture absorption agent

components used in PCs and mobile

Calcium chloride is used as the raw

phones.

materialformoisture

Resin-reinforced material

12 (bath tubs, etc.)

absorption

agents.

2. Anti-freezing agent
Calcium chloride is used as ananti-freezing

agent

for

roads

in

winter.

10 Lithium-ion battery electrolytes

2 Anti-freezing agent

8

Social & Environmental Report 2015

Fertilizer

Glass

5. Environmentally-conscious agricultural products/microbial control agents

6. Glass for touch panels

Coated fertilizer Cera-coat®R

Microbial control agents(Manufactured and sold by Central Chemical Co., Ltd.)

Supporting higher levels of safety for humans, animals,

Extremely thin glass used forThis is a coated fertilizer with adjustable fertilizer

and produce, these agents can be used until before

eﬀects that was developed around the three concepts

harvest. Essentially, they are environmentally soundof oﬀering ideal fertilizer eﬀects, power savings andmicrobial agrochemicals suitable for organic andlow cost, and being environmentally friendly. Its

low-chemical farming, because their application is not

powerful fertilizer eﬀects make it possible to reducecounted as the use of agrochemical spraying.

sensor substrates and glass
covers for touch panels.

7. Construction/housing
glass

the amount used.

Glass types that contributeto energy saving and comfort
indoors, such as eco-glass,crime-prevention glass, andsoundproof glass.

5

8. Lead-free mirrors andEnvironmentally-conscious agricultural products/

anti-fog mirrors

microbial control agents(Manufactured by Mie Glass
Industry Co., Ltd.)Our

lead-freemirrorsareenvironmentally friendly, as thebackcoating

containsnoharmful lead components. Our

Active ingredients andanti-fog

mirrorsuppresses

blurring

due

a

to

specialfunctional coating applied on

11 intermediates forthe mirror surface.

pharmaceuticals

9. Automotive glass
Our automotive glass is used
for windshields and side andrear windows in automobiles.

6

Fine chemicals

Glass for touch panels

10. Lithium-ion battery
electrolytes
Our electrolytes are used forlithium-ion batteries used to
power electric vehicles (EVs)and hybrid cars.

11. Active ingredients andintermediates forpharmaceuticals
We supply active ingredients
andintermediates

for

such

pharmaceuticals as anesthetics

8

and ulcer treatment drugs by

Lead-free mirrors and anti-fog mirrors

utilizing ﬂuorine chemicals andother technologies that wehave accumulated in-house.

3

9

Powder detergent
ingredients

13

Automotive glass

Automotive soundinsulating material

Glass ﬁber
12. Resin-reinforced material(bath tubs, etc.)

13. Automotive sound insulating
material(Manufactured by Central Glass Fiber Co., Ltd.)(Manufactured by Central Glass Fiber Co., Ltd.)

Glass ﬁber is widely used in such diverse

Glass wool is a noncombustible, ﬁre-resistant

applications as ﬁber-reinforced plastic formaterial used as a heat- and sound-insulating

bath tubs, housing, automobiles, ships, andmaterial for automobiles, rail cars, etc.

electronics products.

Social & Environmental Report 20159

Special
Feature1 A Next-Generation Blowing Agent That Will
Contributing to the Prevention of Global Warming through Products

Help in the Fight Against Global Warming

Awareness of Social Issues and Central Glass s Initiatives
Development of Non-Ozone Depleting CFC
Alternatives with Extremely Low Global
Warming Potential

Technology and Market Developments
toward CFC-Free Alternatives

Although it is usually not directly visible in our everyday lives,

The

rigid urethane foam is used in various insulation applications,hydroﬂuorocarbons (HFCs), known as non-ozone depleting

including heat insulation materials in the walls and ceilings ofsecond-generation CFC alternatives. Central Glass is the only

oﬃce buildings, houses, and apartments as well as insulationcompany in Japan that manufactures and sells HFC-245fa.

for refrigerators and freezers.

However, since HFCs are greenhouse gases that absorb heat

Encapsulating a blowing agent inside tiny bubbles called

released from the surface of the earth, they have beenclosed cells increases the thermal insulating properties of rigid

designated as gases to be reduced under the Kyoto Protocol.

urethane foam. Fluorine-based blowing agents are widely used

That is why Central Glass has been developing technology forbecauseHFO-1233zd(E) in order to supply the world with an

they

have

low

thermalconductivity

and

are

nonﬂammable.

ﬂuorine-based

blowing

agentscurrently

used

are

environmentally friendly next-generation blowing agent thathas a low global warming potential (GWP)＊.

Mechanism of Global Warming

The performance of HFO-1233zd(E) is either equal or superior
to that of the HFC-245fa currently used, but it does not

Release of heat
Sunlight

Sunlight

contribute to ozone depletion and is a low-GWP product witha GWP approximately 1/1000 that of existing products

Atmosphere(GHG)

Atmosphere(GHG)(GWP < 1).
＊ Global warming potential (GWP): A number indicating a greenhousegas s degree of eﬀect on global warming compared to the benchmark
carbon dioxide.

Heat absorptionMore heat absorption

Spraying urethane foam (artist's interpretation)

The Earth about 200 years ago

The Earth today

The concentration of carbon
dioxide was about 280 ppm at
the time of the start of theIndustrial Revolution.

The concentration of carbon
dioxide surpassed 400 ppm
in 2013.

Source: Website of the Japan Center for Climate Change Actions(http://www.jccca.org/)

10 Social & Environmental Report 2015

Central Glass Wins Award of Excellence in the 17th Ozone Layer Protection and
Global Warming Prevention Awards

Thanks to its work on developing technology for the next-generation blowing agent
HFO-1233zd(E), in 2012 Central Glass s Kawasaki Plant became the world s ﬁrst
manufacturer of HFO-1233zd(E).
Central Glass received signiﬁcant praise for its work in developing this industrial
manufacturing method and production technology, and in September 2014, Central Glassand Honeywell Japan Inc. were co-recipients of an Award of Excellence in the 17th Ozone
Layer Protection and Global Warming Prevention Awards hosted by Nikkan Kogyo
Shimbun, Ltd., a daily newspaper company. The award, which was established in 1998 withthe aim of encouraging measures to protect the ozone layer and prevent global warming,
recognizes technologies that contribute to the protection of the global environment.

Award ceremony(source: Nikkan Kogyo
Shimbun, Ltd.)

Voice

With an extremely low global warming
potential (GWP) and ozone depletion
potential (ODP), 1233zd(E) is anenvironmentally friendly product that I
am proud to produce every day.

Yuzuru Morino
Deputy General Manager
Production Department

Voice
Since 1233zd(E) is one of a few outstanding
products in the world and plays an important role
for the environment, we are increasing theeﬃciency of production and distribution in orderto reliably meet customer needs.

Yasuo Tajima
HFO-1233zd(E) production plant at the Kawasaki Plant

Deputy General Manager
Personnel & General Aﬀairs
Department

Ube Plant to Begin Production of Next-Generation Blowing Agent in Fiscal 2016
Central Glass has helped to lower the GWP of rigid urethane foam by manufacturing thenext-generation blowing agent HFO-1233zd(E) at its Kawasaki Plant and supplying it toJapan and other developed countries such as the US.
Demand for next-generation blowing agents, which are materials that show great promisein the ﬁght against global warming, is expected to increase both within Japan andoverseas. Central Glass announced in January 2015 that it would establish a production
facility at its Ube Plant in order to meet that societal need and contribute to measuresagainst global warming.
By starting production at the Ube Plant in ﬁscal 2016 in addition to the current Kawasaki
Plant, we will continue to fortify our operations so that we can supply this next-generation
blowing agent globally.

HFO-1233zd(E) ISO tank container(Reprinted with the permission of the NRS
Corporation)

Social & Environmental Report 201511

Special
Feature2 Development of Radio Wave-Transmitting
Contributing to the Prevention of Global Warming through Products

Heat Shielding Automotive Glass

Awareness of Social Issues
Meeting Diverse Needs Brought On by
Environmental Changes and the Evolutionof Automobiles

interior is greatest through the transparent window glass andespecially through the windshield, which has particularly hightransmissivity and is installed at a slant across a large area.
Accordingly, enhancing the heat-shielding performance of the

Glass is transparent and durable. It is aﬀordable yet adds awindshield is the most eﬀective approach.

high-class feel. These features make it an indispensable

Conventional heat-shielding windshields use a heat-absorbing

material for automobiles. Meanwhile, demanding targets

material to absorb heat rays or a metallic ﬁlm to reﬂect them.

have been set for CO2 emissions (fuel consumption) as

However, these methods have their issues. In the former, thean automotive countermeasure against global warming.

absorbed heat is reradiated into the vehicle interior, while in

Reducing CO2 emissions from vehicles is an important step inthe latter, various radio waves essential to communications

the pursuit of a low-carbon society.

cannot pass through.

With hopes pinned on the spread of eco-cars (HV and EV) as

That is why Central Glass is aiming to develop a new type ofan environmental measure, there has been demand forheat shielding glass that is both heat-reﬂective and radio

increased range in these vehicles. If heat, i.e. energy fromwave-transmitting by using technology that selectively reﬂects

solar radiation, could be prevented from entering the interior

only the near-infrared portion of the spectrum of solar radiationof the vehicle, passenger comfort could be increased,energy.

thereby reducing the use of air conditioning. This could help

Heat shielding glass that can contribute to the ﬁght against

increase the vehicle s range as a result.

global warming is the target of extremely high expectations.

Additionally, the window glass used in automobiles, which

There are still issues to overcome in commercialization, but weare moving vehicles, has an essential safety function inwill push ahead with development while grasping market

protecting passengers. That is why automotive windowneeds precisely in order to achieve this aim as quickly as

glass is also called safety glass. Since it ensures driving

possible.

visibility and protects passengers from wind, rain, and ﬂying

Voiceobjects as well as in the event of an accident, its
fundamental performance is regulated by law. In addition to
fulﬁlling its essential functions as safety glass, automotive
window glass must also play a crucial role as a highvalue-added material combining a variety of functions inorder to meet the diverse needs brought on byenvironmental changes and the evolution of theautomobile.

Aiming to Develop High-Quality,
High Value-Added Automotive Window Glass
The most important requirement for automotive window glass is that it
must protect the safety of passengers. At minimum, it must possessmechanical durability, the environmental resistance to avoid deteriorationeven after many years of exposure to sunlight, temperature, wind, andrain, and the optical properties to ensure clear visibility.
At the same time, automotive window glass is becoming moresophisticated with the addition of multiple features in order to meet thediversifying needs brought on by a changing environment and theevolution of the automobile. Combining glass with new materials is avery eﬀective way to increase functionality, and in the case of heatCentral Glass s Initiatives
Enhancing the Heat-Shielding Performanceof Windshields to Prevent Solar Radiation
Energy from Entering Vehicle Interiors
The percentage of solar radiation energy that enters a vehicle s

12 Social & Environmental Report 2015

shielding glass, combination with heat-reﬂecting materials is being
attempted. Working out how to combine
glass with new heat-reﬂecting materials
while maintaining adequate quality as
automotive window glass is a major
challenge. We are striving to ﬁnd a solution
by working out the properties of thematerials.

Kensuke Izutani
Research Engineer
Glass Research Center

Corporate Governance and ComplianceCorporate GovernanceThe basic concept behind the corporate governance*¹ of theestablish an eﬃcient and reasonable organizational structure

Central Glass Group is to continually increase the transparency

that can readily respond to changes in the management

and fairness of our overall management in order to enlarge

environment. See the chart below for our specific corporate

corporate value, further increase profits, and make efforts togovernance structure.

Compliance
In order to establish corporate governance, it is essential to raise

the workplace environment; the protection and management of

our awareness of compliance*² in addition to upgrading andinformation; and respect for human rights. The Central Glass

reinforcing our corporate governance framework. To fulfill thisGroup also established and started operating a Whistle Blowing

purpose, the Central Glass Group established the“Central Glass

System so that all employees can obtain guidance and consult

Group’s Code of Conduct”as the internal code for conducting

on issues.

faithful business activities with stakeholders such as business

The effective use of these systems, together with regularpartners, concerned organizations, customers, consumers, andeducation through internal training seminars, helps each

employees. Every employee carries a card displaying this Codeemployee gain a deeper understanding of relevant laws andof Conduct to constantly enhance awareness of compliance. The

regulations and take appropriate action when conducting

top executives also strive to set a good example through theirbusiness. Through these activities, the Central Glass Group aims

actions.

to enhance both awareness and compliance.

We also created a“Compliance Manual”to serve as a guide on＊1 Corporate governance: The way a corporation should be governed

dictating social norms and corporate ethics. This manual covers＊2 ＂Compliance＂ refers not only to the observance of laws and regulations
in a limited sense, but also includes the observance of a wide range ofa wide range of fields including, among others: anti-monopolysocial norms when conducting business activities.

law; independence from antisocial forces; intellectual property
rights; regulations on insider trading; environmental conservation;

Organizational Chart for Corporate GovernanceAppoint

Appoint

Shareholders Meeting
Appoint

Coordinate

Board of Directors
Audit

Board ofCorporate
Auditors

Supervise

Accounting Audit

Accounting
AuditorDirectors

Full-Time Auditors
Outside Auditors

Supervise

Coordinate
Audit

Audit
Department

Representative Directors ／ Directors ／ Outside Directors

Audit

Management Committee
President & CEO ／ Senior Executive Managing Oﬃcers ／Executive Managing Oﬃcers

Accounting Audit

Executive Oﬃcers
Each Business BaseAﬃliated Companies
Coordinate

Deliberation / Investigation / Guidance / Education●Compliance Promotion Committee ●Environment Safety Promotion Committee●Safety & Health Committee●Product Safety Committee●Financial Reporting Risk Assessment Committee, etc.

Code of Conduct●Anti-Monopoly Law Observance Promotion Committee●Security Trade Control Committee

Mid-Term Management Plan

Corporate Social Responsibility(Environment)

Basic Po licy
Basic Philo so p hy

Corporate Philosophy

Social & Environmental Report 201513

Environment & Safety Management
The Central Glass Group undertakes voluntary management activities aimed at making improvements by taking care to ensure the environment,
safety, and health and environmental protection over the total life cycle of our products, from the R&D stages through to the procurementof raw materials, production, distribution, use, and disposal. We pay meticulous attention in order to maintain, manage, and guarantee thequality of the products that we deliver to our customers, and have set in place structures for their production, transportation, and supply.
We promote management that is responsive to the societal demands of every one of our stakeholders as we aspire to be a company thatis truly beneﬁcial and contributes to society.

Targets and Progress
Progress

Major Issues

Mid-Term Targets●

Establishment &maintenance ofenvironmental
management
system

Accomplished:◎

Made steady progress:○

FY2014 Results

Ratings

Renew and maintain certiﬁcation Ube Plant, Kawasaki Plant, and Matsusaka
at main workplaces.
Plant (including the Sakai ManufacturingSite) maintained ISO 14001 certiﬁcation.

Renew, maintain certiﬁcation,
and acquire new certiﬁcation ataﬃliates.
● Improve self-management level ataﬃliates that have not acquired
certiﬁcation.
●

Additional measures required:△◎

Domestic aﬃliates that have alreadyacquired certiﬁcation maintained andcontinued their certiﬁcation.
During onsite audits, provided guidanceon self-management to aﬃliates that have
not yet acquired certiﬁcation.

○

FY2015 Plans
Renew and maintain certiﬁcation
at main workplaces.
Renew and maintain certiﬁcation
at aﬃliates.
Improve self-management level ataﬃliates that have not acquired
certiﬁcation.

Environment, Safety, and Quality Management Promotion Systems
The various supervisory departments for each area form the corewhen it comes to promoting the environment, safety, and quality
management systems at Central Glass. They coordinate withother related departments in order to follow up on the various

Environment and safety management
promotion system

activities at our head oﬃce, plants, research centers, and aﬃliate

Management Committee

companies.
As indicated in the ﬁgure on the right, our Environment Safety

Environment Safety
Promotion Committee

Promotion Committee forms the core of our responsible care
activities, while our Environment, Safety and Quality Management
Department serves as the secretariat for this. They support andpromote activities related to environmental and safety matters

Environment,
Safety and Quality
Management
Department

carried out by each of our departments.
Head Oﬃce

Environmental safety aspects ······························· Environment, Safety and Quality
Management Department
Product safety aspects ··········································· Quality Assurance Department
Education/human resource building aspects· ······ Personnel Department
Occupational safety and health aspects ··············· Personnel Department, Environment Safety
Department
Social demands······················································ Corporate Administration Department

ResearchCenters

Plants

Aﬃliate companies

Each RC-related committee

Environment and Safety Audits
Central Glass carries out environment and safety audits every

checks, and hearings on matters of concern and important

year focusing on our plants, research centers, and domestic

issues. During onsite audits, we verify whether RC activities areaﬃliate companies. Central Glass s audits are conducted inbeing implemented appropriately and perform detailed checks

two stages: a self-audit in which all targeted workplaces use a

including conﬁrming environmental compliance and conducting

checklist to check the status of their RC activities, and an onsite

safety risk assessments. This helps improve initiatives at each ofaudit in which the Environment Safety Department checks

our workplaces.

workplaces, selected based on the self-audit results, throughFurthermore, in ﬁscal 2015 we began preparing an overseas

direct visits.

checklist along with other materials to expand environment andIn FY2014, onsite audits were carried out at 17 of oursafety audits to overseas aﬃliates.

workplaces, and we also instituted site visits, documentation

14 Social & Environmental Report 2015

Acquisition Status for Environmental Management System (EMS) and
Other Certiﬁcations
Our plants and aﬃliate companies

Environmental Management Quality Management System
System ISO 14001, etc.
ISO 9001, etc.

Ube Plant○○

Kawasaki Plant○○

Matsusaka Plant (including Sakai Manufacturing Site)○○

Central Glass Tokyo Co., Ltd. ‒ Urayasu Plant(now Central Glass Sales Co., Ltd. ‒ Urayasu Plant)
Central Glass Kansai Co., Ltd. ‒ Sakai Oﬃce / Shikoku Oﬃce(now Central Glass Sales Co., Ltd. ‒ Sakai Plant / Sakaide
Manufacturing Site)○○（Sakai Oﬃce）

Central Glass Engineering Co., Ltd.
Central Chemical Co., Ltd. ‒ Ube Plant○○○

Central Glass Module Co., Ltd.

○

Japan Tempered & Laminated Glass Co., Ltd.

○※1○

Central Glass Fiber Co., Ltd.
Matsusaka Plant / Kasugai Plant○(Matsusaka
Plant）○Mie Glass Industry Co., Ltd. ‒ Matsusaka Plant / Oishi Plant○○(Matsusaka
Plant)

Central Glass Plant Services Co., Ltd.

○

Central Service Co., Ltd.

Environmentand safety onsite audit
Central Glass Chubu Co., Ltd., Shizuoka Branch(now Central Glass Sale Co., Ltd., Shizuoka
Mfg. Site)○

Carlex Glass Company, LLC (US)○○Carlex Glass America, LLC (US)○○Carlex Glass of Indiana, Inc. (US)○○Carlex Glass Luxembourg, S.A.
(Luxembourg)○○

Apollo Scientiﬁc Limited (UK)○○

JCEL Co., Ltd. (South Korea)○○

Taiwan Central Glass Co., Ltd. (Taiwan)○

Giga Gas & Electronic Materials Company (Taiwan)○

Central Glass Chemspec Company Ltd. (China)○○：Certiﬁcation acquired※1 Eco-Action 21

Education and Training for Environmental and Safety Aspects
Under the recognition that all of our employees are talented
individuals and treasures to the company , each of the workplacesin the Central Glass Group focuses its eﬀorts on education andtraining. Education and training are indispensable to deepening
the understanding of every one of our employees regarding CSR
and the environment as members of society, as well as to acting
in a responsible manner or minimizing damage when disasters
occur. We oﬀer education and training at each workplace in atimely manner by choosing themes that are suited to the timing of
implementation and targeted employees, with the goal of raising
their awareness of such environmental, safety, and other issues.
In FY2014 we carried out disaster drills and provided education
related to the environment and safety at many of our workplaces
on several occasions.
At the Matsusaka Plant, we carried out danger-sensing
workshops with the aim of raising the danger sensitivity andsafety awareness of each and every employee. In March 2015,

we opened a Danger-Sensing Dojo equipped with original
devices that were designed jointly by veteran and junioremployees of the Engineering & Technical Sections, including afalling glass weight sensation device and an incision sensation
device. The dojo is used for a variety of educational programs,
including training of new hires and job rotation training.
During these training sessions, junior and mid-career employees
pay close attention as veteran employees recount cases ofaccidents that they witnessed up close in the past. Experiencing
simulated dangers leaves them gasping in surprise. These are
precious opportunities to pass along and share awareness of
disaster prevention measures.
A partial list of the education and training related to theenvironment and other issues that were oﬀered at our headoﬃce, research centers, plants, and aﬃliate companies in FY2014
is shown in the table below.

Examples of environmental education and training held in FY2014
WorkplaceHead Oﬃce
Chemical ResearchCenterChemical ResearchCenter (Ube)Glass Research Center
Ube Plant
Matsusaka Plant
Matsusaka Plant ‒Sakai Manufacturing
Site
Kawasaki Plant
Central Chemical

Overview of education and training

Targeted persons

Dates held

Number ofattendees

5 Whys analysis (safety)

Safety personnel at workplaces that handle
ﬂat glass

January 201525 people

Health lecture (by industrial physician)Center staﬀ

July 201447 people

Lessons on accident case studies

Center staﬀ

June 201463 people

August 201450 people

July 2014

69 people

As needed starting in October
2014

Approx. 1,500
peopleEmployees on the premises of the Sakai Mfg.
Site

August 201460 people

Members of each section

December 2014

200 people

Members of manufacturing section

May 2014

70 people

AED training
Center staﬀ
Law study session: Status of improvements related toopportunities for improvements in the OHSAS 18001 renewal Employees of the Ube Plant and aﬃliates
review
All employees, including aﬃliates and partner
Danger-sensing workshops
companies
Sakai Mfg. Site Comprehensive Disaster Prevention Drill
Education on the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances
Control Act (in line with revisions to regulations forprevention of injury from poisonous and deleterious
substances at plants)
Environmental ISO education

Social & Environmental Report 201515

Environment, Safety & Quality Management

preservation of the global environment and invested nearly theEnvironmental Accounting

same amount as the previous year.
The costs of water and soil pollution prevention measures, etc.

We undertake environmental accounting in order to assess thedecreased mainly due to a decrease in production volumes ofenvironmental costs related to our environmental preservationsome products. Meanwhile, our costs related to product R&D for

initiatives for the air, water, soil, and disposal of waste.
Constructionoffacilities

forenvironmental

next-generation environmental protection increased.

preservation

In the future we, along with our aﬃliate companies, will continue

accounted for the majority of the amounts we invested,

to use our capital investments and environmental preservation

while waste disposal expenses accounted for the majority ofspending to promote environmental preservation measures.

our expenses. In ﬁscal 2014, we constructed facilities for theEnvironmental Preservation Costs
Category(Unit: million yen)

Major initiatives

Investments(1) Business area costs

Pollution prevention
costs

Preventing the pollution of the air, water, soil, etc.

Resource recycling costs

Waste disposal, recycling treatment, etc.

871
301

Global environmental
preservation costs

Preventing global warming, measures to conserve
energy, etc.

(2) Upstream/downstream
costsCollection, recycling, and appropriate disposal of
products, etc.

(4) Cost of R&D activities

R&D of products involved in environmental
preservation(3) Cost of management
activities

Maintaining the EMS, environmental monitoring,
environmental education costs, etc.

Improving the environment, contributing to local
communities, etc.

(5) Cost of social activities(6) Cost of dealing withenvironmental damage

Restoring the environment, environmental
preservation compensation, etc.

Total

manufacturing

processes

in

order

to

3,930
2,112

Investments

859
119

Expenses

3,553
1,949

204
366
0

88
1,730
0

656
84
0

96
1,508
0

2

236

0

244

8

494

20

539

0

2

0

2

0

0

0

0

881

4,662

879

4,338

A huge amount of heat energy is needed to melt raw materials
in the glass business, so its central issue is measures to prevent

The Central Glass Group quantitatively tracks the environmentalof

Expenses

FY2014the environment.

The Flow of Substances at the Central Glass Groupimpact

FY2013

global warming. The development of environmentally friendly

identify

products and reducing waste are the central issues of theenvironmental issues and implement measures for making

chemicals business, and sustained eﬀorts are being made toward

improvements as we constantly strive to reduce the burden on

energy saving activities and to establish recycling systems.

INPUT
Total amount of materials input
Central Glass

760,000 tons

1,058,000 tons

Aﬃliate companies

298,000 tons

Raw materials, processed goods, molded goods, secondary materials, etc.

Amount of water resources input 20.141 million m³
Central GlassAﬃliate companies

11.981 million m³

Amount of net energy input 15,203TJ※
Central Glass

8.160 million m³

Aﬃliate companies

9,493TJ

5,710TJ

Water supply, industrial water, groundwater, etc.
※

TJ (terajoules) is a unit for energy (joules). One terajoule is equal to one trillion joules.

Central Glass GroupRaw materials
procurement

Manufacturing(suppliers)

OUTPUT

Atmosphere

Emissions of greenhouse gases
Central Glass
697,000 t-CO₂

Sales

Logistics(clients)

Consumption(end users)

Water

1,011,000 t-CO2

Aﬃliate companies
314,000 t-CO₂

Waste

Net amount of discharged water 16.313 million m
Central Glass
9.527 million m³

3

Aﬃliate companies
6.786 million m³

Net emissions of waste
Central Glass
59,000 tons

95,000 tons

Aﬃliate companies
36,000 tons

From energy sources, non-energy sources, and transport

Emissions of substances that damage the atmosphere 4,813 tons
Central Glass
3,773 tons

Aﬃliate companies
1,040 tons

SOx, NOx, ash dust

Emissions of substances that aﬀect water quality 106 tons
Central Glass
76 tons

Three plants, one manufacturing site, threeresearch centers, and the head oﬃce

30 tons

Final amount of waste disposed
Central Glass
27,000 tons

31,000 tons

Aﬃliate companies
4,000 tons

COD, total phosphorous, total nitrogen

Recycling rate for waste

Reporting range
・Central Glass:Aﬃliate companies

・Aﬃliate companies:

12 major domestic manufacturing companies
and 10 major overseas companies

16 Social & Environmental Report 2015

Central Glass
54%

66%

Aﬃliate companies
86%Safety
The Central Glass Group recognizes industrial safety and health, security and disaster prevention, and safety of chemical
substances as the most important challenges in our corporate activities and promotes initiatives for each of them.

Targets and Progress
Accomplished:◎

Progress

Major
Issues

Mid-Term Targets

Chemicalandproduct
safety○Maintain and continue management
system and cross-deploy it to otherworkplaces.

○

Continue to comply with laws
and pass on safety techniques
and know-how. Eﬀorts toward
establishing equipment safetymeasures.

Conduct voluntary safety audits on
high-pressure gas by management● Enhance preventative measuresagainst disasters

Periodic inspections were carried out by
administrators at our Ube, Kawasaki, andMatsusaka Plants and Sakai Manufacturing Site.
Voluntary safety audits on high-pressure gas
were conducted. The state of management at
workplaces with elevators, including statutory
inspections, was conﬁrmed for all group companies
in Japan, including aﬃliates.

Implement appropriate
management of chemical
substances

Compliance with the Act on the Evaluation ofChemical Substances, Act on Conﬁrmation, etc. of
Release Amounts of Speciﬁc Chemical Substancesin the Environment and Promotion of Improvements
to the Management. Thereof, and Industrial Safety
and Health Act, and provision of information to theconcerned parties (requiring various submissions).
Sequentially improved SDS.

Promote alternatives to or
detoxiﬁcation of environmental
impact substances
Asbestos
PCBs
Other environmental impact
substances

Removed and treated non-scattering asbestoscontaining materials from manufacturing facilities
when upgrades were made.
Completion of ﬁnal disposal of high-concentration
PCB machinery by plants and aﬃliates in the Ube
district within the JESCO Kitakyushu region.

<Promotion of Green
Procurement>● Implement audits on chemical
substances● Provide information tocustomers promptly

Conﬁrmation of chemical substance management(compliance with laws) and customer response
status through an environmental safety selfchecklist in each Group company in Japan,
including aﬃliates, based on theGreen
Procurement Guidelines.

●

FY2015 Plans

Enhance risk management for Continue to maintain OHSAS18001 certiﬁcation
at our Ube Plant. Continued eﬀorts towardindustrial health and safety
establishment of risk management systems at our
Matsusaka and Kawasaki Plants.

●●

Rating○Industrial
health andsafetySecurity
anddisasterprevention

FY2014 Results

Additional measures required:△

There were eight accidents that resulted in lostwork hours at group companies in Japan, including
aﬃliates. This was down four from the previous
year. The implementation of items requested in theannual report on Group-wide industrial accidents
was conﬁrmed through RC audits. Each workplace
was implementing measures.

No injuries causing lost work
hours
(try various timely measures)●●

Made steady progress:○◎

Implement proactive measuresagainst accidents based on theanalytical results of annual reports
on Group-wide industrial accidents.

Continue compliance with laws
& regulations and revision of our
SDS.

○Continued removal of asbestos
usedatworkplaces
when
upgrades are made. Continued
strict management of machinerycontaining PCBs and their disposal
according to local administrative
guidance.

○Eﬀorts to reduce the environmental
impact of products by enhancing
management of our database of
information and to provide reliableand prompt information to ourcustomers.

Industrial Safety and Health
The Central Glass Group recognizes that maintaining a safe
working environment is a basic requirement for all business
operations. Accordingly, we carry out industrial safety and healthactivities at all of our workplaces, including aﬃliates.
In 2014, we have carried on with activities based around themainstay of our Policies on Safety and Health, which include items
such as raise and ensure awareness of safety and recheck
work manuals and ensure thorough compliance with them.
In addition, we called attention to safety measures by holding
the Summertime Industrial Accident Prevention Campaign, as
well as by issuing a white paper on Industrial Accidents andawarded Safe Operation Awards in 2014 to further motivateawareness of industrial safety.
In 2014, among all our Group companies in Japan including
aﬃliates, there were eight accidents resulting in lost work hours,

which was four less than the previous year.
Compared to 2013, the frequency rate of accidents that resulted
in lost work hours (see the graph on the next page) worsenedat Central Glass but showed a trend toward improvement
at cooperating companies. Both, however, were below theaverages for all industries and the manufacturing industry.
To make further improvements in the future, it is essential that
we eliminate latent dangers through risk assessments andthoroughly implement measures to prevent the recurrence ofsimilar accidents.
We will continue to make eﬀorts to reduce the occurrence ofaccidents, including through such initiatives, in the future.

＊Cooperating companies: Aﬃliate companies and cooperating contractors

Social & Environmental Report 201517

SafetyFrequency rate of accidents resulting in lost work hours
Central Glass(Frequency rate)

Cooperatingcompanies

2.0

Manufacturingindustry(average)

All industries(average)

1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

(Year)

Frequency rate of accidents resulting in lost work hours =(Number of deaths or injuries by accident / Total work hours) x
1,000,000 (The frequency rate of accidents that result in lost work
hours per million working hours)<2014 Policies on Safety and Health‒Priority Implementation Items>
1. Raise and ensure awareness of safety(take responsibility for one s own safety)
2. Set in place basic operation manuals and ensure thorough compliance with them
3. Enhance eﬀorts to promote safety and reinforce safety
and health education and training
4. Establish a system for industrial safety and healthmanagement (risk assessments)
5. Prevent traﬃc accidents during everyday driving as wellas commutes
6. Promote healthcare, the maintenance of health, andmental healthcare
7. Strictly comply with no-smoking rules in workplaces(encourage separate smoking areas and urge
employees to quit smoking)
8. Comply with the reporting system for when accidents
occur

Security and Disaster Prevention
Since most major plants of Central Glass are located in areas

and the employees of each plant s contractors.

designated according to the Act on the Prevention of Disaster inMoreover, each business division is moving forward with thePetroleum Industrial Complexes and Other Petroleum Facilities,

formulation of a business continuity plan (BCP) to allow us toeach plant has established a full-scale security and disaster

continue or resume operations as quickly as possible in the event

prevention system under the guidance of authorities concernedthat operations arewith the environment, security, and disaster prevention as we

temporarily impacted

aim to completely eliminate facility disasters.

by a disaster such as

We make eﬀorts to preemptively prevent accidents and disasters

an earthquake.

through eﬀorts like activities at each plant that are based on

We will continue with

the Security and Accident Prevention Guidelines compiled bysuch activities in thethe Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA) and the passing

future with safety as

down of know-how to our young employees.

our highest priority.

We carry out drills at our plants and workplaces that simulate
various diﬀerent disasters and abnormal conditions in the aim ofComprehensive disaster prevention drill(Sakai Mfg. Site)raising our level of disaster preparedness with our employees

Logistical Safety
Central Glass and its domestic aﬃliate companies implement

which they carry not only when obligated by law, such as in the

periodic training and education for not only their employeestransportation of high-pressure gases and poisonous substances,

but also employees at the workplaces to which they consign

but also in the transportation of other chemical substances. On

transporting. This is done to prevent accidents during thethe cards, measures to be taken to minimize damage and details

transportation of chemical substances and to minimize theto be reported are clariﬁed so that the transporter, ﬁreﬁghters or

damage if accidents occur. For example, at our Ube Plant, whenpolice oﬃcers can respond appropriately and promptly should

drivers are appointed to transport things like high-pressure

an accident occur during transportation by road. The details

gases, they are given instruction by transportation managers.

listed on these cards are periodically revised by the relevant

Furthermore, our domestic aﬃliate companies that handle

departments.

chemical logistics provide education via SDS at monthly safety
meetings and other such occasions.
When chemical substances are to be transported by road, we
prepare emergency contact cards (yellow cards) for drivers

18 Social & Environmental Report 2015

Safety of Chemical Substances
The regulations on chemical substances in countries aroundthe world have grown more sophisticated, moving fromtraditional hazard management to risk management that takes
into account exposure factors. The intention is to achieve thegoal of the accord of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable
Development in Johannesburg,

Aiming to achieve, by 2020,

the use and production of chemicals in ways that lead to theminimization of signiﬁcant adverse eﬀects on human healthand the environment.

Such regulations include Europe s

REACH regulations and Japan s revised Act on the Evaluationof Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture,etc. Furthermore, in recent years revisions to laws on chemical
substances have been pushed forward in Asian countries, andwe must continue to comply with these in the proper manner.
Against this background, the Central Glass Group is working toensure safety through a variety of diﬀerent initiatives at every
stage in which chemical substances are handled.

Management of Chemical Substances

Central Glass has been surveying, aggregating, and reporting
PRTR＊1 data voluntarily since 1995, prior to the enactment of the
Chemical Substances Management Act＊2 (2000), in an eﬀort to
reduce emissions of chemical substances into the environment.

Handling Asbestos

Structural components containing asbestos are still used insome of the buildings and production facilities at Central Glassand our domestic aﬃliate companies. We therefore identify
the locations where those components are used and manage
them appropriately. Components used for such applications
as insulation or packing for piping in production facilities arebeing removed one by one as facilities are upgraded. Moving
forward, we will continue to comply with laws and ordinancesand promote appropriate measures for this.

Handling PCB Waste

Central Glass and our domestic aﬃliate companies rigorously
store and manage waste condensers and other equipment that
contain PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in compliance with the
PCB Special Measures Law. The legally mandated disposal of thecorresponding PCB waste is promoted at Japan Environmental
Storage & Safety Corporation (JESCO) facilities in each district.
In FY2014 our plants and aﬃliate companies in the JESCO
Kitakyushu District completed the disposal of their PCB waste.
At the same time, we also undertake the appropriate managementof what could be termed low-concentration PCB devices, whichhave been conﬁrmed as having PCB intermixed in them.

The number of substances subject to notiﬁcation in FY2014 at
Central Glass and its domestic aﬃliate companies decreased bynine substances compared with the previous ﬁscal year to 54
substances (results for each of Central Glass s plants are givenin the section Activities at Plants at the end of the report).
What is more, we comply with laws and regulations such as theIndustrial Safety and Health Act, the Poisonous and Deleterious
Substances Control Act, and the High Pressure Gas Safety Act.
Our aﬃliate companies in both Japan and overseas work to geta grasp of local laws and the chemical substances they handle
in an eﬀort to promote the management of chemical substancesfrom a global perspective.
We will continue working to properly manage chemical
substances.
＊1 PRTR: Pollutant Release and Transfer Register＊2 Chemical Substances Management Act: act on conﬁrmation,etc. of release amounts of speciﬁc chemical substances into
the environment and promotion of improvements to the
management thereof

SDS

Initiatives for Green Procurement

Central Glass is promoting the following initiatives acrossthe entire company in order to proactively advanceprocurement.

raw materials and materials that have less of an impact on theenvironment when obtaining such goods.
Nowadays, as a result of moves like the enactment of Europe s
REACH regulations and the revised Act on the Evaluation ofChemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc.,
thoroughly ensuring the management of chemical substances
throughout the entire supply chain and sharing information
related to the chemical substances contained in products havegrown increasingly important. Through these initiatives, we will
promote the reliable management of chemical substances andaccommodate requests for the public disclosure of information.

◆

Select environmentally conscious raw materials from the◆Manage raw materials based on the Green Procurement

R&D through to the trial manufacturing stages

Central Glass and our domestic aﬃliate companies strive to

Guidelines

provide information through SDSs＊3 that conform to GHS.＊4 When―――― Conﬁrm the environmental management systems

handling chemical substances and the like, measures necessaryof our suppliers

for risk abatement can be taken based on the information listed―――― Conﬁrm whether or not substances that we havein the SDSs, which is conducive to protecting safety and thevoluntarily chosen to restrict are contained within

environment.
In addition, in an eﬀort to manage safety, we strive to ensure thatthe raw materials we purchase◆

Prevent the intermixing of environmental impact
substances through appropriate process management

employees are thoroughly familiar with the SDSs for not only our
products but also for purchased raw materials.
＊3 SDS: Safety Data Sheet. These are data sheets that list
information related to the hazardousness of chemical
substances and the like as well as information concerning
the environment.
＊4 GHS: The Globally Harmonized System of Classiﬁcation andLabeling of Chemicals

greenGreen procurement gives priority to procuring◆

Manage products (management of packaging materials
and conﬁrmation that targeted chemical substances are
not contained within products)◆

Share information among the concerned parties throughthe creation and use of a Green Procurement Database◆

Provide education for the persons in charge of therelevant departments

Social & Environmental Report 201519

Environment
Central Glass, along with all of our aﬃliate companies, will strive to realize a rich society through measures that ensure the protection of
the global environment and the health and safety of people in all of our activities ranging from the R&D stages to the purchasing of raw
materials, manufacturing, distribution, use, disposal, and all other stages in the life cycle of our products.

Targets and Progress
Progress

Mid-Term Targets

Major Issues
Prevention of global
warming (energy andresource conservation)

Accomplished:◎

Made steady progress:○

FY2014 Results

Ratings<FY2020 Target>
CO2 emissions totaled 682,000
Reduce FY2020 CO2 emissions tons, down 27% from FY2005.
by 15% relative to FY2005.

◎

Final landﬁll disposal volumes
Reduce ﬁnal landﬁll disposal at our main plants were down
volume by 65% relative to 61% from FY2000.
FY2000.

○●<FY2015 Target>●

Reduction of waste

Additional measures required:△

FY2015 Plans
Continue working toward the FY2020
target of a 15% reduction in CO2emissions relative to FY2005.
Continue working toward the FY2015
target of a 65% reduction in ﬁnal landﬁll
disposal volume relative to FY2000.

Our Eﬀorts to Prevent Global Warming
The Central Glass Group strives to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere through the manufacturing and shipper stransportation of goods in order to prevent global warming.

Central GlassCentral Glass has set and is working toward a target of reducing
the greenhouse gases given oﬀ by the use of fuel, purchased
power, and raw materials for manufacturing by 15% relative to2005 levels by 2020, with this serving as a mid-term initiative to

Emissions of greenhouse gases at the Matsusaka and Ube plants
increased over the previous year due to increases in energy
consumption associated with plant operation.
Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from transportation of
products and other cargo by truck, ship, rail, etc. decreased
from the previous ﬁscal year. Nevertheless, we will continue to(Unit: 1,000 tons)

streamline our energy use in transportation.

■ 3 research centers +head oﬃce

1,200

Baseline

1,000

940

800

645

600

693

Shipper(Unit: 1,000 tons)

120
27% reduction

100

682

80

675

675

60

400

40

200
0

20
2005

18.1

18.2

16.5

16.9

2010

2011

2012

2013

15.3
2014 (FY)0

Emissions of greenhouse gases
from shipperʼs transportation

For FY2014 we reduced this by 27% relative to FY2005.

■ Ube ■ Kawasaki ■ Matsusaka ■ Sakai

Emissions of greenhouse gases

prevent global warming.

Central Glassʼs emissions of greenhouse gases＊Emissions from shipperʼs transportation are shown via the line graphon the right vertical axis.

Central Glass Group
With respect to our emissions of greenhouse gases (including
those at our domestic and overseas aﬃliate companies), due tothe increase in the number of our overseas manufacturing sites,
the greenhouse gas emissions for the Central Glass Group areemissions2011: 7 companies
2014: 10 companies

Each workplace is reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
through energy saving initiatives, updating of equipment, andother measures to prevent global warming.
＊ In order to calculate greenhouse gas emissions from purchased
power at our overseas workplaces, we used the emission
coeﬃcients of each country from the IEA CO2 Emissions from
Fuel Combustion 2013.

20 Social & Environmental Report 2015

Emissions of greenhouse gases

Number of main overseas aﬃliates that reported GHG

2012‒2013: 8 companies

1,400
1,200

on an upward trajectory.

2010: 6 companies

Central Glass Groupʼs emissions of greenhouse gases(Unit: 1,000 tons)

988

1,000
800

982

1,012

995

790

■ Central Glass■ Domestic aﬃliates■ Overseas aﬃliates

600
400
200
0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

(FY)

Reducing Environmental Impact Substances
When it comes to Central Glass s manufacturing sites, our plants are operated in compliance with emissions standards for the atmosphere
and water quality in the area. Reducing environmental impact substances is an important challenge in consideration of the global
environment and human health and safety, and so for the future we will continue to undertake appropriate management for this.

Countermeasures Against Substances that

Countermeasures Against Substances that Aﬀect

Of the substances that damage the atmosphere, trends in ouremissions of sulfur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and ash
dust are shown below. The variations in our emissions arelargely due to our production output. In order to curb emissionsof these substances, our plants have been installing abatement
equipment and undertaking management to ensure that they fall
well under environmental standards.

Of the substances that aﬀect water quality, trends in our chemical
oxygen demand (COD) and total emissions of both phosphorousand nitrogen are shown below.
Our plants undertake management in order to curb emissionsof these environmental impact substances and comply withemissions standards.

Damage the AtmosphereSOx emissions

Chemical oxygen demand (COD)(Unit: tons)(Unit: tons)

2,000

1,500

Water Quality

80

1,847
1,653

1,553

1,718

■ Ube
■ Kawasaki

1,317■ Matsusaka

■ Ube

60

■ Sakai

1,000■ Domestic aﬃliates

59

40

0

44

■ Sakai39■ Domestic aﬃliates

31■ Overseas aﬃliates

20

2010

2011

2012

2013

0

2014 (FY)

2010

2011

2012

2013

NOx emissions

Total phosphorous emissions(Unit: tons)(Unit: tons)

3,500
3,000

■ Kawasaki■ Matsusaka■ Overseas aﬃliates

500

58

2,934

2,846
2,422

2,500

3,058

2.5
■ Ube
■ Kawasaki

2,419

■ Ube

2.0

■ Kawasaki■ Matsusaka■ Sakai

2,000

1.5

■ Domestic aﬃliates

1,500

2014 (FY)■ Overseas aﬃliates

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.3

1.4

■ Matsusaka■ Sakai■ Domestic aﬃliates

1.0■ Overseas aﬃliates

1,000
0.5

500
0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014 (FY)Ash dust emissions

50

2012

2013

2014 (FY)

46

46

51
45

■ Ube

65
58

2011

Total nitrogen emissions

80

60

2010

(Unit: tons)(Unit: tons)

70

0■ Kawasaki

55
38

40

■ Sakai■ Kawasaki■ Matsusaka■ Sakai30■ Domestic aﬃliates■ Overseas aﬃliates

30

■ Ube

40

■ Matsusaka

46

50

44

20

■ Domestic aﬃliates■ Overseas aﬃliates

20
10

10
0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014 (FY)

0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014 (FY)* Tabulation of emissions of environmental impact substances at overseas aﬃliates began in FY2013.
Social & Environmental Report 201521

Environment

Initiatives to Reduce Industrial Waste
In line with the spirit of Japan s Basic Act on Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society, the Central Glass Group is striving to reduce
industrial waste.

Central GlassCentral Glass Group

Central Glass s plants have upheld

promoting reductions

As a waste-emitting company, Central Glass, along with its

and recycling of industrial waste as an important task for ourdomestic aﬃliates, unfailingly complies with Japan s Wastes

responsible care activities.

Disposal and Public Cleansing Act and other relevant laws

The amount of waste (ﬁnal amount disposed) in FY2014 camewhen it comes to the sorting and storage of waste, as well as

to approximately 26,400 tons, for a 61% reduction comparedconsignment, monitoring, and manifest management for proper

to FY2000 levels. We have laid out the goal of reducing this bydisposal by industrial waste disposers.

65% relative to FY2000 levels by FY2015 (ﬁnal amount disposed

Each of the Central Glass Group s major domestic aﬃliate

of 23,000 tons), and have been making eﬀorts to achieve thiscompanies carries out its own original reduction measures, andtarget.

as a result, on the whole, our major domestic aﬃliate companies

As an initiative to reuse resources, the glass division currently

have roughly halved their amount of waste (ﬁnal amountreuses nearly 100% of the large volumes of cullet generated at

disposed) in recent years relative to FY2000 levels.

our plants. The chemicals division has also achieved eﬃcient use

We began tabulating the amount of waste at overseas aﬃliatesof resources by developing technology to recover ﬂuorine

inin FY2006 and continued to follow up with them in FY2014.

its ﬂuoric form from the ﬂuorine-containing wastewater emitted

Each individual company is carrying out eﬀorts to reduce its

during our manufacturing processes. Fluorite is the main

waste. In particular, our glass plants deployed overseas haveingredient in ﬂuorine compounds.

been working to reuse nearly 100% of their glass, just like ourWith respect to recycling initiatives, our chemicals division

domestic plants.

operates a treatment facility that recycles the sludge waste
generated by our plants into a raw material for cement. We are

Final amount of industrial waste disposed(Central Glass Group)

currently making eﬀorts to further increase the amount of waste(Unit: 1,000 tons)

80

treated in this manner.
Final amount of industrial waste disposed(Central Glassʼ plants)(Unit: 1,000 tons)

80
70■ Central Glass

60■ Domestic aﬃliates

50■ Overseas aﬃliates

40

67.5

32.4

30

32.8

30.9

29.7

26.4

20

36.5

34.9

2010

2011

2012

2013

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

31.4

10
0

23.0

10
2000

38.5

20

Target: 65%
reduction
relative toFY2000

50
40

37.3

30

60

0

74.2

70

2000

2014

(FY)

Number of main overseas aﬃliates that reported
GHG emissions
2010: 6 companies
2011: 7 companies
2012‒2013: 8 companies
2014: 10 companies(FY)

Green Procurement
Central Glass and our domestic aﬃliate companies enacted

items (paper, oﬃce furniture, lighting apparatus, and etc.)

Green Procurement Guidelines

in 2006, and have begun

in order to allow for new green procurement eﬀorts. We aregiving priority to purchasing products and services from suppliers

forging ahead with such eﬀorts throughout the Central Glassthat strive to reduce their environmental impact.

Group.

In March 2014, we revised the Central Glass Group s Green

Our FY2014 results for green procurement at Central Glass

Procurement Guidelines

given the fact that cases in whichwere 81% for targeted items on a monetary basis. Going

judgments could not easily be made in a business sense arose,

forward, we will deploy green procurement in stages at theas did variance in the judgment criteria. In April 2014 we also

workplaces of aﬃliates where initiatives have not yet beenclariﬁed the judgment criteria and narrowed down the targeted

implemented.

22 Social & Environmental Report 2015

Quality
The Central Glass Group strives to provide products and services that our customers love and can use with peace of mind.

Quality
The Central Glass Group carries out quality control initiatives

quality policies that are then rolled out to each workplace andthat always place customer satisfaction ﬁrst and foremost as we

aﬃliate company. Each worksite strives to make continuous

work toward our goal of establishing a truly prosperous society

quality improvements in order to achieve quality objectives based

through the spirit of Monozukuri. Not only do we comply withon the quality policies. We check and assess conformity withlaws and regulations, but we also ensure product safety andrequirements as well as the validity of our Quality Management

accurately determine our customers requirements, which are

System (QMS), manufacturing processes, and products throughreﬂected in our products and services.

quality audits and reviews, tying the results into activities to

We have established a basic quality policy and formulate annual

improve quality.

Quality Education and Awareness Building
Central Glass encourages its employees to take Quality

the recurrence of issues. We also educate the sales division

Management and Quality Control (QC/QM) Exams as an eﬀort

regarding quality activities and train the research division andto promote knowledge related to quality management andmanufacturing division in the preparation of safety data sheets

improvement. We have now expanded this initiative to domestic(SDS).

aﬃliates.

Through these eﬀorts, we raise quality awareness among all

In addition, we provide

5 Whys analysis

education to thequality division and manufacturing division as well as theemployees and apply quality-related knowledge and techniques
to quality activities, helping us carry out good Monozukuri.

research division and sales division as a means of preventing

32nd Company-Wide QC Circle Rally
We held the 32nd Company-Wide QC Circle Rally on Friday,

proposals and measures for cutting costs and improving quality,

November 21, 2014.

as well as a lively question and answer session between judges

President Sarasawa gave the opening address. He told attendees:

and attendees.

You did well, considering that there are still problems that weFollowing the presentations, Executive Oﬃcer Iwasaki gave acannot seem to solve no matter how hard the engineers try. As

review in which he told attendees: The participation of aﬃliate

a manufacturer, quality, cost, and delivery, or QCD, are issues

companies from overseas gave this year s rally a diﬀerent

where we absolutely must pursue improvement, and therein lies

atmosphere than usual, and I think that the content of the

our path to survival as a manufacturer. I hope to put more energy

presentations was even better than in previous years. I am

into QCD through the QC Circle Rally in the future, but I will needvery glad that each workplace is putting serious eﬀorts into QC

your help.

activities. He then oﬀered comments to each circle.

The number of circles that took part in this rally was 10 in total.

With the participation from overseas aﬃliates, this year s QC

This consisted of ﬁve circles from aﬃliate companies, two of

Circle Rally was a cosmopolitan event where attendees could

them from overseas, and ﬁve from our plants manufacturing

see with their own eyes signs of the globalization that has been

divisions. There were presentations by each circle on various

advancing rapidly in recent years.

Awards Ceremony

32nd Company-Wide QC Circle Rally

Social & Environmental Report 201523

Society
The support of and harmony with members of the local community are absolutely essential for a company s continued existence. Central
Glass will continue to build even better relations with every one of its stakeholders, starting with members of local communities andcustomers, while also growing and improving together with society in order to realize a sustainable society.
* Please see P28-31 for the initiatives at each plant.

49th Central Glass International Architectural Design Competition
Central Glass has been sponsoring competitions for architectural

Central Glass takes great pride in

design ideas since 1966. Starting with the 10th competition in

our continuing eﬀorts to sponsor

1975, it became an international competition as the Central

this competition over many years.

Glass International Architectural Design Competition to invite
entries from overseas.
The theme of the 49th competition in 2014 was A City Symbol
Loved by Residents. There were 252 entries in total, 156 fromAward ceremony after the ﬁnal
screening (First Place Prize)

Japan and 96 from overseas (refer to the back cover for the First
Place Prize design).

Chief Judge: Riken Yamamoto(Riken Yamamoto & Field Shop)
Judges: Keiichi Okamoto (Nikken Sekkei Ltd.)
Taro Ashihara(Taro Ashihara Architects)
Teruo Kobayashi(Obayashi Corporation)
Hiroshi Naito(Naito Architect & Associates)
Kengo Kuma
(Kengo Kuma & Associates)

The theme of the 50th International Architectural Design 2015is The Glass We live in a time in which we need to pursue
economic

eﬃciency

andrationality

while

simultaneously

preserving the natural environment and protecting historical andtraditional culture. As a company that promotes architectural
culture, we believe that it is highly meaningful for us to provide
occasions to consider a desirable society and environment
through this competition.

*Titles omitted, listed in random order

26th Junior Science Classes
The

SummerVacation

Junior Science Classis

Under the theme of Let s experience the wonders of heat andlight,

young researchers played the role of instructors andheld every year underprepared numerous hands-on experiments using household

the

the

items. It was structured so that all of the children could personally

Summer Vacation Juniorexperience and enjoy science by having them form small groups.

Science Class Executive

During the class, the children engaged enthusiastically in theCommittee

jointlyexperiments and sometimes gasped in surprise while their

hosted by the Yamaguchi

parents kept a close eye on them, and many parents marvelingIndustrial Promotion Foundation in cooperation with universities,

at the experiments themselves were seen throughout the venue.

technical colleges, corporate research institutes, and more. It is

We hope to be able to continue playing an active role in hosting

held in the hope of showing children with inﬁnite future potential

these classes in the future to provide opportunities for more

how interesting and fun science can be. In 2014, it was heldchildrenat 17 venues in Yamaguchi Prefecture in collaboration with 12

how exciting science

related organizations between July 22 and August 22.

can be and grow up

Central Glass wholeheartedly agrees with the premise, and on

with an interest andJuly 29 we held a class at the Chemical Research Center (Ube)curiosity in science.

Lesson in progress

auspices

and

of

to

learn

in which 20 elementary and junior high school students fromUbe City and other cities in Yamaguchi Prefecture participated.

Participating children and employees

Volunteer Firebreak-Cutting Ahead of a Prescribed Burn of the Akiyoshidai Plateau

Volunteers cutting aﬁrebreak ahead of aprescribed burn at
Akiyoshidai

The Ube Branch of the Central Glass

Yamaguchi Rengo (the Yamaguchi branch of the Japanese Trade

Labor Union engages in a variety

Union Confederation) organizes the volunteer work every yearof volunteer activities to contribute

between November and December, and 2014 was the 11th year

to the local community. As one

in a row that the union participated.

activity, six members of the union

Mine City conducts the prescribed burn of the Akiyoshidai

volunteered to help cut grass for

Plateau in February of the following year, and the volunteer

a ﬁrebreak ahead of a prescribed

work, which serves as preliminary preparation, involves cutting

burn of the Akiyoshidai Plateau.

a swath of grass around the perimeter to prevent the ﬁre from24 Social & Environmental Report 2015

spreading.

Although the volunteers worked under tough early winter conditions

The volunteers reached the worksite after walking for 20 minuteswith a cold wind blowing, everyone put in a single-minded eﬀort.

along a rugged mountain road. Then, with grass cutters andThey were therefore rewarded with a feeling of intense satisfaction

sickles in hand, they spent about two hours working together

and accomplishment upon seeing the end results.

with around 500 members of other labor unions to cut a 3-km

This activity has been incorporated into the labor union s policy,

ﬁrebreak around the broad karst plateau.

and we plan to continue our active involvement.

Charity Stand at a Flea Market
The Head Oﬃce and Kawasaki branches of the Central Glass

A wide variety of items are set out, but the most popular

Labor Union voluntarily host a stand for charity at a ﬂea market.

ones are usually soap, detergent, and towels used for Japan s

Employees supply the items sold, including unused daily

traditional midsummer- and year-end gift-giving customs. Beyond

necessities found at home and work. The proceeds are donatedthese there is a wide variety, ranging from nostalgic items toto a volunteer organization as part of the union s social welfare

geeky treasures. The venue overﬂows with people, and theactivities.

volunteers enjoy the work as it is a good opportunity to interact

Flea market

This has become an annualwith people outside the company. In ﬁscal 2014, the proceeds

event in the early summer. A

amounted to 40,000 yen.

booth is rented at Shinagawa

While this is a low-key initiative, we believe that when individuals,

Intercity, the ﬂea market venue,

no matter how small, step forward as members of their union

and the volunteers work whileand company and combine forces with many people toward thewiping oﬀ their dripping sweat

same goal, they produce powerful results. Accordingly, we willin the heat. Every year, nearlycontinue to carry out these kinds of activities.

all the items supplied are sold.

Donating School Bags Full of Memories Campaign
The Matsusaka Branch of the Central Glass Labor Union has

Afghanistan who cannot attend school. If these school bags help

established a Committee on Volunteering and Charities thatthem attend school, they will have the opportunity to acquire

carries out activities that contribute to the local community.

health-related knowledge that may beneﬁt them if they become

In FY2014, we took part in the Donating School Bags Full of

mothers in the future.

Memories campaign organized by the Japanese Organization

We were able to collect and send

for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP)

13 school bags to Afghanistan.

through our head organization, the Mie Prefectural Council for

Participation in social contribution

Laborer Welfare.

activities and volunteer activities

The purpose of the Donating School Bags Full of Memories

is extremely important for the

campaign is to donate used Japanese elementary school bags

labor union, and we intend to(which are sturdy backpacks made of leather) to Afghanistan

continue proactively engaging into help children attend school, especially girls with few

these activities.

opportunities for education. There are still many girls in

School bags full of
memories

Major Cooperation and Aid Activities
Dates
Sep. 2014

Activities
Amount of donations, etc.
Donation by Central Glass to the NPO Peoples HOPE Japan to fund surgeries for2 million yen (ongoing support)
heart diseases(The following activities were carried out by our labor union.)Jul. 2014

Campaign to aid atomic bomb
survivors

At the request of RENGO Local of
Yamaguchi, donated to Yuda-en, a support
center for atomic bomb survivors in
Yamaguchi Prefecture

121,346 yen

Aug. 2014

UNICEF Foreign Coin Collection
Campaign

Donation to protect the lives, health, andrights of children in developing countries

2.46 kg (2014 results)

Sep. 2014

Ecocap program

The Matsusaka Branch of the Labor Union
collected bottle caps (ecocaps) anddonated them to an NPO.

(96,320 ecocaps, equivalent to the cost ofpurchasing polio vaccines for 112 people)

Dec. 2014

Year-End Welfare Campaign by
Donated to the Shinsei-kai Ube Kurumi-en,
Ube District Committee, the Chubu
a social welfare corporation in Ube City via
Regional Council, and RENGO Local
the Ube District Committeeof Yamaguchi

Dec. 2014

RENGO Ai Campaign
OISCA Children s Forest
Program

Money sent to JEC through the Labor
Union s headquarters

100,000 yen
262,789 yen(Breakdown: 69,799 yen from Ube, 35,085 yen from
Sakai, 55,923 yen from Matsusaka, 10,688 yen from
Kawasaki, and 91,294 yen from the Head Oﬃce)
Social & Environmental Report 201525

Employees
Making Things Is about Developing Human Resources

Central Glass is a Monozukuri (manufacturing) company that has continually provided superior products with higher added value inorder to enrich people s lives. We focus on Hitozukuri (developing human resources) as the foundation of our corporate growth, andstrive to enhance our human resource development and HR programs with the aim of creating an environment where each individual
can demonstrate his or her capabilities and skills to the utmost. We encourage voluntary skill development by oﬀering an educational
system that supports employees eﬀorts to improve their skills as well as adopting Career Assessment for the Next! (CAN!), a personnel
assessment system that performs multifaceted assessments of employees ability to accomplish tasks, competencies, goal management,
and more. In this way, we are promoting the establishment of a corporate culture where employees can work at their best.
We also institute a variety of health management and mental health care measures for all our employees to support them in maintaining
both their physical and mental health. In addition, we promote initiatives to support childbirth and childrearing for our employees toachieve a well-rounded work-life balance.

English Conversation Lessons by Interns
Amid intensifying international competition, Central Glass plans

to English conversation lessons, providing English instruction toto boost its expansion into global markets including increasing its

our employees through small talk in English and issue-checking.

overseas bases. As overseas business increases as a percentage

This is time well-spent, as communicating with each other allows

of our overall business, there are more opportunities for ourour employees to improve their English abilities and knowledge

employees in Japan to interact with foreigners. This meansof Western culturethat they need to develop job performance skills that include

while

sensitivity to diﬀerent cultures and values in addition to language

learn Japanese andabilities.

Japanese culture.

theinterns

Accordingly, we started accepting interns from overseas at our
Matsusaka Plant in FY2012 in an eﬀort to promote awarenessof diversity and improve communication skills. In addition totheir regular duties, interns devote one to two hours per day
Lesson in progress

Study Abroad Programs
In addition to internal education such as OJT and group

understanding of good business practices, the ability to see thetraining sessions, Central Glass has established a program

big picture, and cre-that dispatches employees to educational institutions inative abilities whileand outside Japan with the aim of fostering specialists

fostering strong mo-

who possess advanced expertise and knowledge. We send

tivation and high as-

several employees every year to MBA and MOT programs.

pirations. Our MOT

Our MBA study abroad program is designed to foster candidates

study

for high-level managerial positions who will be responsible forgram aims to devel-

the future development of Central Glass. Participants spend two

op human resources

years diligently studying in order to systematically acquire an

well-versed in bothabroadpro-

Class members abroad

Comment
Account of Short-Term Study Abroad
I participated in a short-term study abroad in Canada and the United States lasting about ﬁve months. In Vancouver, Canada
I took a total of seven classes, including private lessons, at a language school on weekdays from 9 AM to 4:30 PM while livingwith a host family. I learned how to give presentations, mainly on business topics, and practiced reading,listening, discussion, and other skills.
I did not merely acquire English; it was a valuable experience in which I also took part in local customs,
interacted with students from many countries, and learned diﬀerent ways of thinking and values. In the US, I
saw and learned how local employees work at an aﬃliate company of Central Glass, which was an opportunity
to come into contact with real-world English that was diﬀerent from the classroom English I learned in Canada.
These days I have regular exposure to English at work, so I intend to keep working hard each day so that I canapply what I learned through my study abroad to my job.

26 Social & Environmental Report 2015

Yumi
Yokoyama

Automotive
Glass
Department

technology and management who are capable of furthering stra-

foreign language abilities and foster international awarenesstegic research and technical development and can help boost

in an eﬀort to develop human resources who can play an

our corporate value.

active role in the global expansion of Central Glass s business.

We also oﬀer short-term study abroad to improve practical

Mental Healthcare Measures
The stress experienced by workers has been growing in recent

is more, we provide self-care training to employees aimed atyears, and it is said that more than 60% of workers feel strong

prevention and early detection of mental health issues andanxiety or stress regarding their jobs. A law issued in 2014 thatline-care training to managers with the goal of improving therevises a part of Japan s Industrial Safety and Health Act has

workplace environment.

established a system in which stress checks are obligatory. Central

In addition, we have established a Return-to-Work Support

Glass has been conducting stress checks on all employees since

Program for employees who have taken time oﬀ due to a mental

2009 from the standpoint of primary prevention to keep mental

health issue. The program aims to follow up with employees

health issues from arising.

on leave, facilitate a smooth return to work, and prevent theWe have also worked with an outside organization to create

recurrence of illness after returning to work through cooperation

an environment in which employees can access telephonewith industrial physicians and other healthcare providers.

consultations and counseling services without hesitation. What

Initiatives to Support the Development of the Next Generations
The term of validity of Japan s Act on Advancement of Measuresfor events such as hospital visits during pregnancy (childbirthto Support Raising Next-Generation Children was extended 10

preparation leave), expanding programs such as shortened

years until March 31, 2025. In a country where the birthrate is

working hours, and extending the age range of children whose

falling precipitously, the aim of the extension is to create a moreparents are eligible for leave programs in addition to existing

positive and richer environment in which the children who willchildcare-related programs.

build the next generation of society can be born and grow up

Going forward, we will continue to create support programs that

healthy.

facilitate participation by both male and female employees inCentral Glass has enhanced its support programs beyond thechild-raising and will improve our work environments to allow

legal requirements including extending the length of and providing

employees to balance work and childrearing.

partial pay during childcare leave, introducing a leave system

List of programs to support the raising of the next generation
Nursing care leave for children

Female employees

Shortened working
hours during childcare

Shortened working hours during childcare
Staggered working hours during childcareChildbirthpreparation leave

Childrearing leave
Maternity leave

Childcare leave (can be extended until the child is 18 months old or March 31 after the child s ﬁrst birthday)

Expected date of birth
6 weeks

8 weeks

1 year later

18 months
later

3 years later

Before elementary
school enrollment

First
grade

Elementary school
graduation

Male employeesChildbirth leave(3 days)Childcare leave
Childbirth preparation leave(can be extended until the child is 18 months old or March 31 after the child s ﬁrst birthday)
Childrearing leave
Staggered working hours during childcare
Shortened working hours during childcare
Nursing care leave for children

Social & Environmental Report 201527

Activities at Individual Plants

Ube Plant

Message from the General Manager

The Ube Plant started manufacturing soda ash and caustic soda
in 1936, and expanded its operations into the manufacturing ofchemical fertilizers and inorganic chemical products.
At present, it also manufactures active ingredients for pharmaceuticals
and high purity fluoride gas and is proactively working to expand into
the fine chemicals business.
In May 2015, we discontinued production of soda ash, which had been
one of our main products since the foundation of the company. We aremaking a concerted effort to develop new businesses that will enable
us to offer environmentally friendly
products such as foaming agents witha low global warming potential.
The plant’s green spaces have been
furnished with rows of cherry trees,
and in spring, local residents are able

Plant Overview
Address

5253 Okiube, Ube City, Yamaguchi

Number of
employees

505 (as of March 31, 2015)

Major items
produced

Soda ash, fertilizer,
fluorine-related products,
other chemicals

to enjoy the beautiful blossoms andthe natural environment that exists inharmony with us. We will continue inour efforts to be a safe and open plantthat offers local residents a feeling of

Acquired ISO 14001 certification (December 2000)
Acquired ISO 9001 certification (December 1997)
Acquired OHSAS 18001 certification (April 2011)

security.

Nobuyuki Tokunaga
General Manager
Ube Plant

Regional Activities

Cleanup activities for city and prefectural roads on our plant-wide 5S Day (once a month) ● Cleanup activities in Tokiwa Park (once a year)
Cleanup activities around Lake Ono (once a year) ● Protection and cultivation of grasslands at Akiyoshidai (once a year)● Cleanup activities around Ube Higashi Port (once a year)● Forest maintenance activities to protect water resources (once a year)● Road cleaning using road sweepers (every day)
● Regional town hall meeting in the Ube district●●

Regional Town Hall Meeting in the UbeDistrict

three groups and assigned one of the three topics of“chemical
substances and industrial waste,”“security, disaster prevention,and urban development,”and“Ube-style urban development”
to exchange opinions under the common theme of“What we

Four chemical companies located in the Ube District hold an

expect from companies.”

annual regional town hall meeting with local residents. The 12th

Each group conducted a lively exchange of opinions on its topic, andmeeting was held on January 24, 2015 at the Ube Chemical

practical viewpoints concerning security and the environment werePlant of Ube Industries, Ltd. 50 people including members ofraised, making this a highly

the local administration, NGOs, and local residents participated.

meaningful town hall meeting.

The four companies involved first offered overviews of their plants

We will continue our efforts

and their environmental initiatives. The Japan Chemical Industry

to engage in communication

Association then presented its initiatives for communication

with the residents of thewith residents (the history of regional town hall meetings andregion in order to create

their status in other regions). Next, the Ube City Administrationa safe and secure plant

explained its environmental protection initiatives in Ube City.

together.

Following these presentations, the participants were divided into

The 12th Regional Town Hall Meeting

PRTR
Ordinance
designation No
16
41(Unit: kg/year)

Emissions

Substance nameAtmosphere

2,2’-Azodiisobutyronitrile

3’-Isopropoxy-2-trifluoromethylbenzanilide(also known as Flutolanil)

Water

Soil

Comparison withthe previous year

Quantitytransferred

0

➡

0

0

➡

0

1.5

53

Ethylbenzene

1,400

0

0

80

Xylene

2,000

0

0

81

Quinoline

0

0

0

➡

0

2,300

0

0

➡

0
0

➡ ➡

0
0

8,800

➡

8

186

Dichloromethane(also known as methylene chloride)232

N,N-Dimethylformamide243

Dioxins

296
300

19

0

0

0.066

0.00490

1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene

160

0

0

Toluene

1,200

0

0

➡ ➡

0
3,600

349

Phenol

85

150

0

374

Hydrogen fluoride and its water-soluble salts

570

0

0

➡ ➡ ➡

411

Formaldehyde

0

0

0

➡

0

438

Methylnaphthalene

38

0

0

➡

(Unit: mg-TEQ/year)

0

0

0
0
5,800

＊Quantities emitted, discharged, or transferred are listed for those materials handled in amounts exceeding 1,000 kg in 2014 (except for dioxins)＊Four materials (asbestos, triethylamine, trichloroethylene, and benzene) were handled in amounts exceeding 1,000 kg in 2013, but those quantities were reduced to lessthan 1,000 kg in 2014.

28 Social & Environmental Report 2015

Kawasaki Plant

Message from the General Manager

The Kawasaki Plant recently transitioned from the soda electrolyte
business to the fine chemicals business. Our main products
currently include HFC-245fa (an alternative to CFCs, pharmaceuticalintermediates, cleaning gases for semiconductors, and photoresist
materials. Our production system allows us to stably supply a wide
range of fine chemicals products.
We have also commenced full-scale production of a range ofenvironmentally friendly products, including HFO-1233E, a CFC substitutewith a low global warming potential and superior heat insulation
properties to current blowing agents,
which won an Award for Excellence atthe 17th Ozone Layer Protection and
Global Warming Prevention Awards,
and next-generation electrolytes for

Plant Overview

lithium-ion batteries.

Address

10-2 Ukishima-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City,
Kanagawa

While our products may have changed

Number of
employees

196 (as of March 31, 2015)

for the environment and commitment to

Major items
produced

Inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals

with the times, the Kawasaki Plant’s caresafe operations have never wavered,

Acquired ISO 14001 certification (May 2007)
Acquired ISO 9001 certification (July 2001)

and our entire team is united in its efforts
to ensure that our score remains perfectin these areas.

Regional Activities

Yukinari Hashimoto
General Manager
Kawasaki Plant

Roku-Cho-Kai (Regular social gatherings with residents of neighboring areas including Tono Town and the Daishi District) ● Regular cleanups of the roads
around the plant ● Regular exchanges of information concerning the environment and safety with employees of neighboring plants in the Kawasaki Industrial
Complex ● Activities related to environmental safety conducted to improve the local environment through the Research Society for Environmental Safety
Technology in the Kawasaki Industrial Complex ● Participation in joint disaster drills with neighboring businesses in the Ukishima District●

local environment. We feel that these activities are extremely

Regular Cleanups around the Plant

meaningful.
At the Kawasaki Plant, we intend to continue our regularcleanups as a means of raising environmental awareness andAt the Kawasaki Plant, we never forget that we are a member ofincreasing our contributions to the local region.

the local community, and we organize regular cleanups aroundthe plant in order to contribute to the region.
Rail tracks for freight deliveries to businesses in the Ukishima
District and National Highway 409, which sees heavy traffic, runin front of our Kawasaki Plant. Trash is scattered throughout
the area, apparently dumped by drivers and pedestrians. We
organize regular cleanups of the area, in addition to calling forpassers-by to improve their manners and not leave litter likecigarettes by posting signs (stickers).
Through these activities we are not only able to maintain abeautiful, trash-free environment around our plant, but also
to genuinely feel that we are making a contribution to ourA cleanup

PRTR(Unit: kg/year)

Emissions

Substance nameAtmosphere

Tetrachloromethane

213

N,N-Dimethylformamide243

Dioxins

262

0

0

0

25

0

620

0.46

0

0
35,00073,000

0

11

0

0

0.015

0.13

0

Tetrachloroethylene

0.11

0.1

0

3,700

280

1,1,2-trichloroethane

1.2

3.8

0

281

Trichloroethylene

0

0.16

0

300

Toluene20000➡ ➡ ➡ ➡

149

0.015

Quantitytransferred➡ ➡

Quinoline
Chloroethylene (also known as vinyl chloride)

Soil

➡ ➡

81
94

Water

Comparison withthe previous year➡

Ordinance
designation No

374

Hydrogen fluoride and its water-soluble salts

0

0

0

➡

200

392

n-hexane

0.54

0

0

➡

13,000(Unit: mg-TEQ/year)＊Quantities emitted, discharged, or transferred are listed for those materials handled inamounts exceeding 1,000 kg in 2014 (except for dioxins)

0
6,800
1,300
2,600

Treatment to purify groundwater as a result of contamination
by an ethylene dichloride leak in 1982 is still ongoing today.

Social & Environmental Report 201529

Activities at Individual Plants

Matsusaka Plant

Message from the General Manager
The Matsusaka Plant manufactures polished plate glass using theworld’
s only duplex equipment capable of employing a consecutive
double-sided polishing method. We also manufacture flat glass suchas high-permeability cover glass for photovoltaic cells and processed
glass for automotive and industrial applications.
Because the plant consumes a huge amount of energy and resources,
we have been energetically implementing environmental conservation
activities for many years.
In order to conserve energy and power and reduce CO2 emissions,
we are working to reduce loss, introducing equipment that conservesenergy in conjunction with large-scale renovations, and pushingahead with improvements to our operational technologies.

Plant Overview
Address

1521-2 Okuchi-cho, Matsusaka City, Mie

Number of
employees

Plant : 159 (as of March 31, 2015)

Major items
produced

Safety glass for automobiles,
architectural and industrial flat glass,fabricated glass,functional glass for electronic equipment
Acquired ISO 14001 certification (April 2000)
Acquired ISO 9001 certification (November 2003)
Acquired ISO/TS 16949 certification (June 2004)

Since 2004, we have maintained zero emissions, but we are working
to derive value from our waste (i.e. convert it into products) inorder to achieve further reductions.
Of particular note is the fact that wereuse almost all of our end glass.
Each of our employees is continuallyworkingtoachieve

growthandimprovement, based on our motto,“The

Matsusaka

Plant:

Everything

for the sake of people and the global
environment -- Looking at the future
through glass.” We will continue tocontribute to our region and work to
make our plant safe and happy, never

Akira Yuasa

General Manager
Matsusaka Plant

forgetting our sense of gratitude.

Regional Activities

Participation in Mie Prefecture Kids’ISO 14000 Program activities ● Participation in cleanup of waste drifting ashore at Toshijima Island, Toba City ,organized by the Mie Prefecture Industrial Waste Countermeasures Promotion Council ● Exhibition of Eco-Glass at the Matsusaka Environmental Fair heldby the Matsusaka City Environmental Partnership Committee ● Opening of plant grounds to youth sports associations and other organizations free ofcharge ● Provision of company-owned land to neighboring municipalities as temporary parking areas free of charge ● Inviting local residents to plant’ssummer festival ● Participation in the Aqua Social Festival in Matsunase, organized by Mie University’s Mie Global Environment Center for Education &Research (beach cleanup) ● Participation in voluntary cleanup activities at Matsunase Beach organized by the Matsusaka Taki District Workers’Welfare
Council (Matsusaka Branch of the Labor Union) ● Participation in Ecocap (bottle cap collection) activities (Matsusaka Branch of the Labor Union)●

Kids’ISO 14000 Program

The classes include demonstrations using models that allow theparticipating children to see the heat-shielding effect of multilayered glass right before their eyes, which the children watch

The Kids’
ISO 14000 Program is an environmental education programwith rapt attention.

based on the ISO 14001 framework, conducted internationallySince the children who participate in the classes continue thinking

with the cooperation of organizations including the United Nations

about how to save

University, the United Nations Environment Programme, andenergy and reduce

UNESCO. In Japan, related activities are organized by municipalities

resource use afterin cooperation with companies and schools in areas throughout

they go home andthe country, including Tokyo, Hokkaido Prefecture, Nagano

describe their ideas

Prefecture, and Mie Prefecture, with the support of the Ministry ofto their parents, thethe Environment, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, andclassesthe Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

educate the entire

Central Glass has been participating in the Mie Prefecture Kids’ISO

regional community.

eventually
A guest lecture in Matsusaka City

14000 Program since 2013, and we send our employees to give
guest lectures at elementary schools in Matsusaka City every year.

PRTR
Ordinance
designation No

Atmosphere

Water

Soil

Comparison withthe previous year

Quantitytransferred

31

Antimony and its compounds

2

4

0

➡

0

405

Boron compounds

0

0

0

➡

0

438

Methylnaphthalene

20

0

0

➡

Substance name

(Unit: kg/year)

Emissions0＊Quantities emitted, discharged, or transferred are listed for those materials handled in amounts exceeding 1,000 kg in 2014.
＊Two materials (Xylene, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene) were handled in amounts exceeding 1,000 kg in 2013, but those quantities were reduced to less than 1,000 kg in 2014.

30 Social & Environmental Report 2015

Matsusaka Plant

Message from the General Manager– Sakai Manufacturing Site

Industrial Zone in Sakai City, Osaka, and we have been manufacturing

The Sakai Manufacturing Site is located in the center of the Coastal
flat glass continuously since 1959 as the birthplace of the Central
Glass Flat Glass Division. In 1982, we adopted the float process as our
manufacturing method and started manufacturing high-grade flat glass.
In 2007, we completed our second round of cold repair work (repairsof the entire manufacturing lines starting from melting furnaces). As
part of this process, we conducted improvement work that reduced
our CO2 emissions by 3%, and restarted production in April 2008. In
August 2009, we conducted work to improve our float baths, andbegan manufacturing thin flat glass for use in electronic devices suchas smartphones and other mobile terminals.
In May 2012, we completed our installation of spattering equipmentthat deposits thin metallic membranes
onPlant Overview

glass

surfaces

and

began

manufacturing Eco-Glass, a product

Address

6 Chikko-minamimachi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Osakathat can reduce the cost of coolingNumber of
employees

Plant : 47 (as of March 31, 2015)and heating buildings.

Major items
produced

Architectural and residential flat glass,flat glass for electronic equipment,architectural frosted glass
Acquired ISO 14001 certification (December 1999)
Acquired ISO 9001 certification (February 1999)

We are also continuing to examine glass
packing material recycling initiatives inorder to reduce waste.
We will continue our work to realize
environmentally friendly manufacturingin the future.

Tatsuo Kikuchi

General Manager
Sakai Manufacturing Site
Matsusaka Plant

Regional Activities

Participation in the Osaka Bay Cleanup Project organized by the 5th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters ● Activities to inform the public about fires andfirst aid at the Sakai Fureai Festival as a member of the Sakai City Disaster Response Committee ● Organization of street campaigns for the Spring Disaster
Prevention Drive around Sakai Station as a member of the Sakai City Disaster Response Committee ● Support for a flea market and donation of proceeds tosocial welfare activities ● Response to requests for dispatch of staff for rescue, firefighting, disaster relief, etc. as a plant that cooperates with Sakai City overfirefighting ● Participation in comprehensive disaster drills in the Sakai/Senboku coastal area ● Provision of support for a project conducted by the Osaka
Prefectural Seikoukai in Sakai Senboku Port to ensure the safety of ships navigating through the port and protect the environment●

Participation in Osaka Bay Cleanup
Project

been worthwhile. The cleanup also allowed us to work together

Every year we conduct beautification activities along the Osaka

to benefit the region.

with employees of the Sakai Marine Safety Station and othercompanies, which made it a very meaningful event.
We intend to continue this annual cleanup as one of our activities

Bay sea walls as part of a joint campaign organized by Osaka
Prefecture to remove trash and ensure the cleanliness of thewater in Osaka Bay.
In FY2014, we conducted a cleanup along the coast close toneighboring companies. Some pieces of trash we found werelarger than the spaces between the tetrapods jammed into thecrevices, and we were quite puzzled about how the objects had
gotten there. After sending off numerous truckloads of trash, thesight of the clean breakwaters convinced us that our efforts had
Cleaning up along the breakwater

PRTR
Substance name

(Unit: kg/year)

Emissions
Atmosphere

Water

Soil

80

Xylene

69

0

0

296

1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene

79

0

0

Comparison withthe previous year

Quantitytransferred➡ ➡

Ordinance
designation No

00＊Quantities emitted, discharged, or transferred are listed for those materials handled in amounts exceeding 1,000 kg in 2014.
＊One material (Methylnaphthalene) was handled in amounts exceeding 1,000 kg in 2013, but the quantity was reduced to less than 1,000 kg in 2014.

Social & Environmental Report 201531

49th Central GlassInternational Architectural Design Competition
First Place: Li Siqi (China) and Chen Xiaoting (the Netherlands)

Theme
THEME
A City Symbol Loved by Residents
A city must be attractive. A city’s attractiveness derives, for the

Nevertheless, a city’s residents still need symbols. Not intimidating

most part, from the architecture that gives it character. In the past,symbols of authority, but symbols loved by the city’s people.

the city’s political and financial buildings – governmental buildings

Symbols cannot be created as a conscious aim. Rather, they mustand plazas – took that role. The architecture became a symbol,

be fostered by the city’s people. Just being an important or large

gave distinction to the city, and became that city’s measure.

building will not make something a symbol. Through long use of a

At times, it became, to the contrary, an intimidating symbol ofbuilding, people come to feel love for it and become conscious ofauthority for the residents.

it as a symbol. Through its presence, a symbol serves to activate a

In contemporary architecture, emphasis is given to thecity, instill unity and vitalize the community (turn to Page 24 forarchitecture's own functionality and rationality and as a result, it no

the related article).

longer defines a city’s character or serves as its measure, and thesymbolic character of architecture, this is to say, has been lost.

Environment, Safety and Quality Management Department