Pollution control initiatives

Environmental Measurement and Analysis at Shibaura Machine Group

The SHIBAURA MACHINE Group engages aﬃliated company SHIBAURA SEMTEK Co., Ltd. for the measurement and analysis of pollutants discharged from its plants. The data is gathered and constantly analyzed. These results are used to reduce environmental load and prevent pollution.

We have technical specialists who perform environmental measurement and material analysis for water and air quality, and working environments at business divisions, and furnish information necessary for environment and quality maintenance and improvement. We also oﬀer environment-related equipment for sale and are working toward protecting the rich environment as an excellent support partner.

Environmental Measurement and Analysis at Shibaura Machine Group — Measuring / inspecting process

Reduction of PRTR substances by switching the printed circuit board surface coating

SHIBAURA MACHINE Group has been addressing the reduction of PRTR substances since 2006. In this approach, we focused on the switching of coating materials and effective use of solvents in the coating process and as a result, in 2013, the discharged volume was reduced to 79% of that of FY2000.

In FY2019, we changed the surface coating of 79% toluene content, which has been used in the printed circuit board manufacturing line of the related company to the coating of zero toluene content. This enabled the reduction of the PRTR discharged volume by 92% from that of FY2000.

Changing of the coating required a substantial time, including the time for collection of technical reference materials for the performance comparison between before and after the change, time for briefing sessions with the manufacturer, and time for verification of the blending ratio to determine the specified film thickness. This change was made possible by the cooperation of the concerned parties.

Air pollutants

The discharged amount of air pollutants, including soot and dust, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide, remained almost unchanged. Energy-saving activities are continued at each production center, and discharge standards and agreed thresholds are met for all speciﬁed facilities, such as casting smelting furnaces and boilers at the Numazu, Sagami, and Gotemba Plants.

Water pollutants

The discharged amount of water pollutants remained almost unchanged.Discharge standards and agreed thresholds are met for the Numazu, Sagami and Gotemba Plants and the production facilities of Fuji Seiki Machine Works, Ltd.

VOC discharge

The painting facilities of the Numazu Plant are subject to VOC regulations and have met the discharge standards and the values reported to Numazu City.

We also established a cooperation and communication structure in accordance with Shizuoka Prefecture's guidelines on the handling of photochemical oxidant emergencies.

Storage and disposal of waste electrical equipment containing PCB

We request disposal of waste electrical equipment containing a high PCB concentration to a specialized waste service company as required and at the same time, are continuously checking for any PCB residues within the factories.

Waste electrical equipment of low PCB concentration is also disposed of in the same way as required.

Actions to reduce noise, vibration, and oﬀensive odors

The noise and vibration standards of the group companies and plants are met at all the designated places at all the designated times of the day. We conﬁrmed oﬀensive odor standards are met at all the designated border points of the plants.

Actions to control soil and groundwater polluti

We are continuously monitoring groundwater around the 14th unit of the Numazu Plant to check on its soil contamination with hexavalent chromium, and conﬁrmed no spreading of contamination.

Management of chemical substances

Regarding the reduction of PRTR target substances, having accomplished the target of FY2030 1st environmental action plan, we revised the long-term target value for FY2030 from 30% reduction to 48% reduction. Since FY2019, we have been addressing the reduction of the total amount of chemical substances as the target. We are progressively promoting the lead-less soldering process for printed circuit boards and our new products are totally free from lead.