IV Environmental Preservation Initiatives
Environmental Management Activities
Organization Chart for Company-WideEnvironmental Management
The Chart here shows the environmental man-���������

agement organization of the company. Central
Committee for Environmental Management, in����������������������������������������������

which a Director in charge of the environment�������������������������������������������
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comes in as Chairman, has been set up to carry������������������������������������
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out pro-environmental management under direct control of President, thereby promoting en-����������������������������������������������

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vironmental preservation activities of the entire
company.

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ISO14001 Certification
Considering that ISO14001 would be a very ef-

Certification agency

Certification No.

Chiba

June 18, 1998

DNV

EMSC-1208

we have been pursuing certification acquisition

Mie

November 24, 1998

JACO

EC98J1097

since fiscal 1998, and all the Works achieved

Hiratsuka

September 1, 2000

DNV

EMSC-1699

the aim in fiscal 2002.

Osaka

December 19, 2000

DNV

EMSC-1114

Hereafter, we will proceed to improve environ-KambaraDecember 25, 2000

JSA

JSAE315

Shinagawa

November 2, 2001

DNV

00372-2001-AE-KOB-RvA

Nikko (Kiyotaki District)

March 14, 2002

DNV

1851-2002-AE-KOB-RvA/JAB

Fukui

April 19, 2002

DNV

00484-2002-AE-KOB-RvA

Yokohama

June 14, 2002

DNV

1849-2002-AE-KOB-RvA

September 27, 2002

DNV

00583-2002-AE-KOB-RvA

March 14, 2003

DNV

Expansion of Nikko Works

TargetTurnout

fective scheme for environmental preservation,

mental performance. Moreover, we will support
the environmental management of affiliatedcompanies, thus promoting preservation of theWorksglobal environment from the standpoint of con-Oyama

solidated pro-environmental management.

Shiga

Date of acquisition

Nikko (Sheet Plant)

Education and Trainingn Education of Internal Auditor
An educational course for internal auditor was

Education of Internal Auditor
Date

Place

given twice at the Headquarters, and once inApril, 2002

Headquarters

Six Works of Furukawa Electric24

the Nikko, Yokohama and Hiratsuka Works toMay, 2002

Headquarters

Ten affiliated companies

14

August, 2002

Nikko

Nikko Works

18

October, 2002

Yokohama

Two Works of Furukawa Electric and one affiliated company

16

March, 2003

Hiratsuka

Two Works of Furukawa Electric

19

bring up 91 internal auditors.
n Environmental Education
Company-wide education was given to 52 newrecruits on April 4, and to 23 second-year administrative employees on June 30. Moreover,general and special environmental education isprovided for all employees at their Works andworksites.

6

Total

91

Environmental Preservation Initiatives
Stocked Material Pollution, Accidents, Disasters and Compliancewith Laws and Regulations
Situation and Countermeasures
Regarding Pollution of Soil and
Groundwater

Storage Situation of PCB
PCB had been used, as an insulation oil forelectrical equipment, in transformers, electri-

We have been conducting soil and groundwater

Furthermore, although it is not a case withcal capacitors and stabilizers for fluorescentpollution investigations, which are aimed atheavy metals nor organic chlorine compounds,

light. Whereas 1,500 liters of PCB stored in thethose Works where heavy metals or organica purification program against soil pollution

Chiba Works was detoxified through a chemi-

chlorine compounds had been used before. Al-with alkaline effluents is under way as de-cal process in February 2002, the containers arethough some pollution exceeding environmen-

scribed below.

still under storage and control.

tal standards was identified in certain places, itn Shiga Works

The situation of use and storage at each Works

has been confirmed that these places are within

In 1998, a caustic alkali effluent was acciden-

is shown in the Table here.

the premises of Works or company-owned

tally leaked in the Works. While the leaked ef-

lands and that the pollution has no influence

fluent was immediately recovered and treated,on the surrounding areas. Moreover, voluntary

the groundwater has been pumped up continu-

countermeasures are being taken against theously for pH treatment until today. Because thepollution giving due consideration to the results

pH has reached a level that requires no treat-of investigations.

ment, we are going to confer with the adminis-

Two Works are taking such countermeasures as

tration to finish the treatment.

described below.
n Nikko Works
It was found that the soil in the premises of theWorks and its company-owned peripheral areas
was polluted with selenium, arsenic, lead andcadmium; and the groundwater in the Works

Investigation Regarding Illegal
Disposal of Industrial Waste at
Prefecture Borders between Aomori
and Iwate

PCB Storage Situation

Unit: Number of equipment

RemovedNo. Name of WorksandIn usestoredChiba
860(Processed)
1
Chiba
36
0
(Unprocessed)
Nikko
2
182
140
(Kiyotaki District)
Nikko
3
7
44
(Sheet Plant)

Total
86
36
322
51

4

Hiratsuka

40

3

5

Oyama

14

36

43
50

6

Mie

53

73

126

7

Osaka

55

11

66

We received a request, dated February 5, 2003

8

Fukui

0

0

0

and addressed to the Oyama Works, under the

9

Shiga

9

0

9

tration, and are under in-depth examination.

name of prefectural governors of Aomori and

10 Kambara

0

3

3

We discontinued in 1988 the copper refinery

Iwate to report, under the name of our Presi-

11 Shinagawa

Stabilizer
only0

Stabilizer only

business that apparently caused this pollution,

dent, on the illegal disposal at the prefectural

12 Yokohama

9

0

9

491

310

801

premises with selenium, arsenic and lead.
These facts have been reported to the adminis-Total

so that there is no possibility of new pollution.

borders. It was an investigation regarding theWith respect to purification of the soil in thevolume of business, from January 1991 throughcompany-owned peripheral areas, we held aAugust 2000, with San’ei Kagaku Kogyo (inbriefing session for residents about the counter-

Japanese) in Aomori Prefecture who commit-

Compliance with Laws andRegulations

measure work in March 2003, and after install-

ted the illegal disposal and Ken-nan Eisei (inWe are regularly confirming laws and regula-ing purification facilities, started the work inJapanese) in Saitama Prefecture who conductedtions to be observed, making efforts to observe

July. The polluted soil will be transported out

the collection, transportation and intermediate

them. Only one case shown below infringed theof the premises, and will be cleansed.

processing.

regulation, and was immediately dealt with.

n Oyama Works

Internal investigation found that two Works had

n Shiga Works

Treatment of the tetrachloroethylene pollution

a track record in waste oil and burnt residue,

Exhaust noise of blowers was found to exceedof soil and groundwater within the premises isand this fact was reported to the two prefec-

the noise control limits in certain spots, so that

under way, whereby the water is pumped up

tures.

these spots were provided with noise barriers.

and is aerated. The use of the solvent had been

In our judgment, our action of disposal com-

discontinued, so that there is no possibility of

mitment does not conflict any laws and regula-

new pollution. The results of purification are

tions.

routinely reported to the administration concerned.

7

Environmental Preservation Initiatives
Material Flow
Global Warming Prevention and Energy Conservation
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Energy Conservation Activities

In response to the ratification of Kyoto Proto-

In view of the revision of the Law Concerning

col by the Japanese Government in June 2002,

the Rational Use of Energy (Energy Conserva-

Furukawa Electric has established medium- totion Law) in 1993, the Committee for Compa-

long-term targets for reduction of greenhouse

ny-Wide Promotion of Energy Conservation

gases*, which has been authorized by thewas established in April 1994, thus initiating

Central Committee for Environmental Manage-

company-wide activities under the participation

ment. Based on these medium- to long-termof all Works including those that are not des-reduction targets, each business division has set

ignated as an Energy Management Factory. In

up its specific reduction plan after fiscal 2003,

1997 the company-wide energy conservation

and began reduction activities.

index was changed to energy intensity per

The Graphs here show changes in the emission

unit product (EIPUP) specified in the Energy

of greenhouse gases (carbon converted) afterConservation Law, and the target was set to “1fiscal 1990, indicating that the emission in fis-% reduction over the previous year in terms ofcal 2002 was 95 % over fiscal 1990, which cor-

EIPUP”.

responds to a slight increase over fiscal 2001.

In fiscal 2002, the production volume of three

Hereafter, we will strive hard to achieve theout of nine Works that are designated as Classtargets for fiscal 2005.

1 Energy Management Factory decreased to* Namely, CO2, SF6, HFC and PFC, with which Fu-

71~91 %, so that the index worsened by 7.5~22

rukawa Electric has a track record of use.

2001. This value corresponds to 77 % over fiscal 1995, meaning a 3.3 % improvement in year
average.
n Case Examples of Energy Conservation Activities in Fiscal 2002
Major items of energy conservation include:
use of high-efficiency transformers, inverter
control of cooling water pumps, waste heatrecovery in incineration furnaces for wasteoil, activation control of compressors, energy
conservation-oriented operation of air conditioners and economizing of lighting. These
measures resulted in an energy conservation (oilconverted) of 5,660 k of oil.
n Energy Conservation Activities in Future
We will promote various energy conservation% in EIPUP.

activities including development of management standards that are in compliance with thebased on quick electric power turning-on andEnergy Conservation Law, thereby striving to-off together with productivity improvement,

reduce the EIPUP by 1 % or more in annual

the weighted EIPUP average of the nine Works

Changes in the Emission of Greenhouse Gases

168

1.00

1.00
175

170

0.95
0.95

172

165

0.93
159

160

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163

0.90
0.85
0.80

140

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0.96
179

171

1.05

1.02

0.99

180

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Ratio over fiscal 1990

Emission volume (C-103 ton/year)

0.98

average.

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1.10

Ratio over fiscal 1990

1.04

1.00

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unfortunately worsened by 5.7 % over fiscal

In spite of the EIPUP improvement activities

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Global Warming Prevention

Carbon converted emission volume

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0.75

120

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1990

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

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Environmental Preservation Initiatives
Reduction of Hazardous Substances and Control of Chemical Substances
Reduction of Organic Chlorine Compounds
In an effort to reduce the use of organic chlo-tion line, whereby a new ionized alkaline waterIn fiscal 2003, we plan to apply the acquiredrine compounds, we have been developing,is used in place of conventional dichlorometh-technologies to the other cleansing lines, there-

along with the company’s environmental princi-ane, rendering the new method more thanby achieving complete elimination of organic

ple and customers’ green procurement require-equivalent to the conventional method in terms

chlorine compounds as soon as possible.

ments, pollution-free cleansing techniques thatof cleansing performance and running costs.

are consistent with required product quality.
Fiscal 2002 was the last year targeted forcomplete elimination of atmospheric emission of organic chlorine compounds. Although

However, we have developed a novel pollutionfree cleansing method for sensitized drums for��������

here, dichloromethane was not eliminated.

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tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene werecompletely eliminated as shown in the Graph�����������������������������������������

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compact copying machines and laser printers
and applied the method to a practical produc-

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Control of Chemical Substances
Recently, extensive regional pollution such asacid rain, ozone layer depletion, global warm-���������������������������������������������
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ing and endocrine disrupters has become amatter of public concern. Recognizing early the�������������

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importance of controlling chemical substances,
Furukawa Electric has long introduced appropriate in-house control on chemical substances,����������������������
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thereby promoting reduction activities against
toxic chemical substances including elimina-���������������������������������
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tion of ozone layer depletion substances andreduction of organic chlorine compounds.
Since fiscal 2001, we have formulated admin-�����������������������������������������
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istrative provisions for chemical substances�����������������������������������

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to consolidate the management of chemical
substances in company-wide use, whereby ascheme was established for managing the species, handling volume, release and transfer
volume of chemical substances used in theentire company, and its supporting system wasconfigured.
Whereas, beginning from fiscal 2001, it became
compulsory to report on the release and transfer
volume of chemical substances in compliance with the PRTR Law, Furukawa Electrichas been actively participating in the PRTR
research activities of Japan Federation of Economic Organizations since fiscal 1996, thus acquiring relevant data. The Table here shows theHandling, Release and Transfer Volume of PRTR Targeted Substances(Main substances with an annual handling volume over 100 ton)
Substance
No.

Name of substance

Unit: ton/year

Handling volume Release volume

Transfer volume

2001

2002

2001

2002

2001

2002

25

Antimony and its compounds

151

107

0

0

2

3

63

Xylene

406

489

16

24

1

1

67

Cresol

347

322

0

1

0

1

68

Chromium and trivalent chromium compounds

169

175

0

0

17

16

145

Dichloromethane

158

141

99

100

60

37

197

Decabromo-diphenylether

164

130

0

0

7

9

227

Toluene

471

624

295

219

55

12

230

Lead and its compounds

638

1,362

0

0

0

0

311

Manganese and its compounds

1,320

1,513

0

0

25

29

note: PRTR Law: Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Law in japan.

handling, release and transfer volume of mainchemical substances in fiscal 2001 and fiscal
2002.

9

Environmental Preservation Initiatives
Zero-Emission Activities
Reduction of Industrial Waste
We have pursuing reduction activities of out-���������������������������������������������������������
��“reducing outsourced industrial waste disposalby 40 % over fiscal 1995 in fiscal 2002”. As aresult, in fiscal 2002, we achieved a reductionof 57 % over fiscal 1995, which by far outstrips
the initial target of 40 %, and the success isprobably attributable to the recycling activities at every Works and also to the significant
decrease in the production volume under the���������������������

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influence of IT-industry depression since theyear before last.

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On the other hand, the recycling ratio in fiscal

�����2002 remained at about 70 % --almost the sameas the previous year, in which the increase in��������������������

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waste oil and sludge balanced the decrease in
Whereas disposal of waste oil has been outsourced heretofore, it has recently become possible to carry out in-house decomposition, thus
enabling recycling.

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waste alkalis.

����The recycling ratio of waste plastics does notshow significant changes during these several

��years. This is caused by the fact that opticalfiber cable waste from the production line, re-

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trieved cable waste from installation sites andcable waste from affiliated companies accountfor the major portion of the waste plastics. Optical fiber cable waste is expected to increase in
future as much as optical fiber waste, imposing
an important task to be tackled in promoting
further waste recycling.

Zero-Emission Activities
In fiscal 2001, as the first-step of zero-emission

In fiscal 2003, we intend to pursue recycling ofactivities, Furukawa Electric formulated thewaste plastics with a high ratio of landfill dis-definition of zero-emission activities, and set up

posal, thereby promoting zero-emission activi-

the reduction targets for each Works as well as

ties further.

the entire company.
In fiscal 2002, while all the Works haveachieved acquisition of ISO14001 certification,
they incorporate zero-emission activities into
the targets of their environmental management
systems. Thus zero-emission activities havebeen promoted, whereby sludge with a highratio of landfill disposal has been successfully
recycled.

10

Definition of Zero-Emission Activities of Furukawa Electric
Activities to reduce the industrial waste commissioned to outsourced disposition that is transported from the Works directly into landfill spots for final disposition.
First-Step Target of Zero-Emission Activities
To reduce by fiscal 2005 the volume of industrial waste that is outsourced for final disposition by 50 % over fiscal 2000.

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and in 1996 we set up a medium-term target of�����������������������������������������

sourced industrial waste disposal since 1993,

Environmental Preservation Initiatives
Green Procurement and Green Logistics
Green Procurement

conformity with green procurement will be
specified clearly to be incorporated into then Promotion of Reusable Drum Programs

Furukawa Electric is promoting green procure-purchasing system, so that purchasers may

TEPCO LOGISTICS CO., LTD., an affiliatedment based on material classification, whereby

easily choose a commodity in conformity

company of Tokyo Electric Power Company

with green procurement.

(TEPCO), has established an environment-

the goods to be purchased are classified into
two categories: “general commodities” of2) Purchased goods: A support system forconscious recycling system. In the system,

non-manufacturing-oriented materials such asenvironmental investigation will be con-cable drums used in the delivery of aerial

utensils and “purchased products” of manufac-

structed.

power distribution wire and cable were changed

turing-oriented materials that are related withproducts and manufacturing processes. Thus

Green Logistics

from conventional wooden drums to plastic
drums made of recycled sheathing material ofwithin the framework of Medium-Term Plan

We are also pursuing rationalization of logis-

retrieved wire. TEPCO LOGISTICS also op-

for Environment Preservation Activities 2005,

tics, while securing for reduction of environ-erates a rental business of reused drums thatgreen procurement is to be promoted towardmental impact and energy conservation.

comprises this recycling system, and Furukawa

the two targets.

n Reduction of Packaging Materials

Electric and its affiliated companies support

A wood work center has been set up in the Fu-

the drum rental business in terms of the de-Medium-Term Plan for Environment
Preservation Activities 2005

kui Works, whereby retrieved skids are repaired

velopment of recycled material as well as its

to permit reuse. Similarly in Kyushu Furukawa

operational aspects including the manufacture,

Achievement ratio for general commodity including
stationery
100 % in fiscal 2005

Electric, a drum assembling house was erected

delivery, retrieval, repair and keeping of drums.

to repair retrieved drums for reuse. These

An environment-conscious cable delivery drummeasures enable reduction of the volume ofnamed “Kantan-kun” can be disassembled after

Achievement ratio for purchased products frommajor vendors
100 % in fiscal 2004

wood used. Moreover, package-free of drum-use. When disassembled the drum decreases to

In fiscal 2002, the measures mentioned below

wound products and bundled products is being

one-fifth its original volume permitting single-

were carried out.

promoted so as to reduce the use of packaging

handed carrying and handling together with

1) Development of guidelines for green pro-paper and wood.

efficient storage and keeping. It may be said

curement

that this drum is, like the plastic drum men-2) Development of a list of environmental im-tioned above, a new type that can contribute topact substances

resource and energy conservation.
n Shared Transportation and Delivery3) Discussion on a support system for environmental investigation

The Japanese Electric Wire & Cable Makers’

Hereafter, the measures mentioned below will

Association (JCMA) has introduced a joint

be implemented to achieve Medium-Term Plantransportation and delivery program of cablefor Environment Preservation Activities 2005

aimed at large-scale construction sites in the

1) General commodities: Commodities incore metropolitan areas, in which we particiWood work center

pate to reduce the number of delivery vehicles
to the sites.
We also participate in the joint transportation
program that is promoted by JCMA using ships
directed to Hokkaido, thus being engaged in

古河電工･グリーン調達ガイドライン
古河電工･グリーン調達ガイドライン

contributing to non-highway transportation as
well as energy conservation.
n Improvement of Loading Efficiency
制定� � � � �２００３年１月９日�制定�

To improve loading efficiency, expansion of
mixed loading and use of large-sized cars isDrum assembling house

Furukawa Electric’s Guidelines for Green Procurement

promoted to reduce the number of delivery
vehicles, whereby reduction of NOx emission volume of product delivery vehicles istargeted at.

11

Environmental Preservation Initiatives
Eco-Design Activities
Toward Reduction of Environmental Impact

Environment-Friendly Products

We are developing products that do not create environmental problems
when they are used, but further, they do not emit toxic by-products when
they are eventually disposed of by incineration or in landfills, thus reducing
environmental impact.

Furukawa Electric recognizes that “the 21st
century is the century of the environment”,
and in response to the needs of society and ourcustomers, is actively working to develop environment-friendly products and technologies.

Toward Prevention of Ozone Layer Depletion

Our aim is to develop a range of commercially

We are developing devices and processes that do not use CFCs, together
with products adapted to CFC substitutes.

viable “environment-friendly” products --products that at every stage, from materials selection, manufacture and use to distribution and

Toward Realization of Recycle-Oriented Society
We are moving to develop products that reuse waste materials, products thatfeature common materials to facilitate recycling and products that are biodegradable and thus do not leave residual waste products.

disposal, will be of low environmental impact.
Moreover, we have established a company-wideorganization of Committee for Development ofEnvironment-Friendly Products, in which company-wide strategies are formulated to promote

Toward Prevention of Global Warming

the development of products and technologies.

We are developing products that contribute to global warming prevention
and energy conservation, such as products with improved efficiency andlightweight as well as clean energy systems.

Toward Reduction of Environmental
ImpactToward Prevention of Ozone Layer
Depletionn ECO Electrical Wire (Halogen-Free Wire)n CFC-Substitute Compatible

These wires and cables use no halogens such as PVC, permitting easy
disposal by incineration. ECO-ACE general cables for indoor use, ECOBEAMEX wires for electrical appliances and power cords together withhighly flame-retardant optical cables are already in practical use.

Magnet Wire “HPWR II”

These heat- and refrigerant-resistant magnet wire are now in use in the compressor
motors of air-conditioning and refrigerating
systems using CFC-substitute refrigerants(HFC-R407C, R410A, R134a).

n Copper Tube for Use with CFC-Substitutes Furukawa

Multi-Grooved Tube “FMGT”, “Furukawa SuperClean Tube”

ECO-BEAMEXECO-ACEn Indoor Cable-Protection Conduit Made of Flame-Retardant
Resin “ECO-PLAFLEKY”

Since these cable conduits contain no halogen-based
flame-retarding agents, they do not emit
dioxins nor halogenous gases when combusted, permitting easy recycling.

n Lead-Free Plating for Electronic
Components

Lead-free plating for the leadsof ICs, capacitors, connectors,
printed circuit boards, etc. has
been achieved by using a tinbismuth alloy instead of the tinlead material used previously,
so that elimination of lead from
customers’ mounting process
can be much improved.

12

These are heat exchanger copper tubes foruse with CFC-substitute refrigerants to reduce
the ozone layer depletion. They have reduced
oil residuals in the tube’s inner surface andare internally multi-grooved to improve heatexchanging performance.

n Nitrogen-Atmosphere Reflow Oven “SALAMANDER”
This reflow oven carries out thereflow soldering process during themounting of electronic components
in a nitrogen atmosphere. Thiseliminates the need to cleansecompleted circuit boards, obviating
the use of CFCs.

n Functional Resin-Coated Aluminum Sheet “FUSCOAT”
These functional resin coated aluminum
sheets provide enhanced formability, corrosion resistance, scuff- and fingerprint-resistance, resistance to chemicals, electrical conductivity, ease of printing, and anti-bacterial
and anti-mold properties. They are also selflubricating, so that disposal of the lubricantsand cleansers formerly used in the stamping process is eliminated.

Environmental Preservation Initiatives

Productn ECO erectrical wire (ECO-ACE, ECO-BEAMEX)

Use

FeatureHalogen-free, lead-freen Halogen-free wire harness

Home appliances, Power distribution,
Communication
Automobile

n Lead-free plating for electronic Components

Automobile

Lead-freen Lead-free plated parts for electronic equipment

Electronic parts

Lead-freen ECO bus duct

Power distribution

Halogen-freen Indoor cable-protection conduit made of flame-retardant Resin (ECO-PLAFLEKY)

Indoor electrical wire laying

Halogen-free, lead-freen CFC-substitute compatible magnet wire (HPWR II)

Home appliances, automobile

Compatibility with CFC substitutesn Copper tube for use with CFC-Substitutes (FMGT / Furukawa SuperClean Tube)

Home appliances

Compatibility with CFC substitutes

n Nitrogen-atmosphere reflow oven (SALAMANDER)

Electronic equipment

Elimination of CFCsn Functional resin-coated aluminum sheet (FUSCOAT)

Electronic equipment

High lubrication, elimination of cleansing

n Recycled aluminum can stock

Cans

Recyclingn Recycled aluminum distribution wire

Electrical wire

Recyclingn Biodegradable resin foam (BIO ACE)

Packaging material

Biodegradabilityn Underground cable duct made of cable waste (KOHTA KUN)

Electrical wire laying

Reuse of materialn Recyclable pallet

Conveyance

Reuse of materialn Weed barrier sheet

Sheet

Reuse of materialn High-reflectivity foamed sheet (MCPET)

Lighting

Energy conservationn High-Performance heat-exchangers material

Automobile

Lightweight, energy conservationn Rainwater recycling system

Emergency reservoir

Effective use of sunshine and rainwatern Micro heat-pipe

Electronic equipment

Energy conservationn Solar photovoltaic system

Electric power

Clean energyn Deep sea solidification of CO2

Electric power plant

Reduction of CO2

Halogen-free, lead-free

Toward Realization of
Recycle-Oriented Society

Toward Prevention of Global Warmingn Recycled Aluminum Can Stock

Furukawa Electric is the first in the world tosucceed in the commercial-scale production and marketing of white sheets made ofextra-fine foamed polyethylene terephthalate(PET). Bubble diameter is so small that optical performance is outstanding, with a totalreflectivity of 99 % or more.

The use of can stock made from used beverage cans contributes to promoting aluminum recycling.

n High-Reflectivity Foamed Sheet “MCPET”

n High-Performance Heat-Exchangers Materialn Biodegradable Resin Foam “BIO ACE”
When these foamed sheets used inpackaging and wrapping are disposed ofin landfills, they are completely broken
down by the action of microorganisms inapproximately one year. We have developed an environment-friendly foaming
process based on our proprietary technology.

n Underground Cable Duct Made of Cable Waste“KOHTA KUN”

This underground cable duct with multiple bores makes effective use ofplastic waste. The product has acquired the ECO mark. “KOICHI KUN”
duct for information box use is also highly reputed.

We have developed aluminum radiatorand air-conditioner materials for automotive applications that are lighter in weight,
promoting better fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions.

n Rainwater recycling system
This system aims at making effective use ofsunshine and rainwater, blessings bestowed
by nature. It is useful as an emergency reservoir against disasters and suppression of
rainwater flooding in watershed areas.

n Micro Heat-Pipe
Furukawa Electric’s micro heat-pipe provide
a solution to the problems of heat-dissipationand cooling of electronic equipment, making possible greater availability of computing
power along with energy conservation.

13

Environmental Preservation Initiatives
Eco-Design Activities
Recycling Technologies
n Recycling System of Electric Wires��������������������������������������������������������

and Cables
Recycling systems of used power cables andcommunication cables from customers havebeen established, enabling almost 100 % recy-��������
���cling of copper and aluminum conductors. Cov-

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ering materials are reused in cables as recycled��������������������

plastics, or as fuel.
n National Project for the Developmentof Recycling Technology���������
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With respect to the recycling technology of�������

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sheathing material for electric wire, thermal��������
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recycling through the development of liquefac-

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tion and pulverization was studied, under the��������
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aegis of the Ministry of International Trade andIndustry (currently the Ministry of Economy,�����������������
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Trade and Industry), jointly by the Japan Electric Cable Technology Center (JECTEC) andcable manufacturers. Material recycling tech-n LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)

ter 16 thousand km, in comparison with a con-nology for cross-linked polyethylene was also

Furukawa Electric is implementing life cycle

ventional steel car. When recycled aluminum isdeveloped under the aegis of the New Energy

assessment (LCA) of aluminum products par-used entirely, an aluminum car can reduce CO2

and Industrial Technology Development Orga-ticipating in the activity of Japan Aluminium

emission in whatever driving distance.

nization (NEDO).

Association.

With respect to aluminum, funding fromThe LCA with regard to weight-reduction ef-

NEDO made it possible for the Japan Researchfects of structural members for automobiles

and Development Center for Metals (JRCM)

reveals that, when virgin metal is used entirely,

and seven manufacturers of aluminum rolled

an aluminum-dominant car can reduce the ac-

products to develop technology to promote alu-

cumulated CO2 emission after a driving distanceminum recycling.

of 14 thousand km, and an all-aluminum car af-�������������������������������������������������������������������������
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14

Environmental Preservation Initiatives
Environmental Accounting
Costs, relevant economic benefit, and physicalguidelines published by the Ministry of the En-

benefit of activities for environmental preserva-

vironment. Also for environmental accounting

tion are described below. These are tabulated inof our affiliated companies, which appears on

conformity with the environmental accounting

this brochure anew, please see page 22.

Covered business bases: All the business bases of Furukawa Electric
Covered period: From April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003

Environmental Conservation Cost

Unit : million yen
Amountof cost*Category

Major contents(1) Cost to reduce environmental impact caused by the production or service activities of business,
generated within the business area (Business area cost)(2) Cost to suppress environmental impact caused by the production or service activities of business,
generated within the upstream and downstream of business area (Up- and down-stream cost)(3) Cost of environmental management activities (Administration cost)

Pollution prevention, global environmental preservation, resource recycling, etc.
Retrieval and recycling of containers, packaging, drums, etc.

2,602
529

Establishment, maintenance for environmental management
systems; maintenance for environmental preservation; measurement of environmental impact(4) Cost of pro-environmental research and development activities (Research and development cost) R&D of environment-friendly products, research in substitutes for toxic substances, R&D of environmental impact
reduction in manufacturing processes, etc.
(5) Cost of pro-environmental social activities (Social activity cost)
Publication of information, greening, etc.
(6) Cost of remediation (Environmental remediation cost)

537
887
9

Assessment for environmental impact, inquiries and measures for soil contamination and groundwater, etc.

189

Total

4,753

* The amount of cost excludes investment cost

Investment and Research Costs

Unit : million yen

Investment and Research Costs

AmountEnvironment-related investment

806

Entire investment cost

11,900

Entire research cost

14,200

Economic Benefit Associated with Environmental
Preservation Activities
Unit : million yen
Content

Amount(1) Income gained by recycling

125(2) Reduction in waste disposal costs through recycling-122(3) Reduction in energy costs through energy conservation
Total

Physical Benefit Associated with Environmental
Preservation Activities
AmountReduction(Difference fromlast year)

ton

10,657

3,648

Energy consumed (crude oil basis)k325,355

12,662Emission of volatile organic chemicals

ton

101

5

CO2 emission

C-ton

162,945-3,659SOx emission

ton

92

-18

NOx emission

ton

987

-106

Soot emission

ton

60

3

Environmental harm material to discaharge
Industrial waste (excluding waste fromrecycled resources)

514
517

15