TAIYO YUDEN Group implements risk assessment based on expected safety, health, and environmental impacts annually, and makes countermeasures to prevent occurrence of risks.
Fire/explosion, and spillage/contamination of chemical substances affect on not only corporate activities but stakeholders, thus we consider these risks are significant.
Appropriate Management of Chemical Substances
To ward off environment contamination with chemicals and adverse effects on human health, we have banned the use of forbidden substances, implemented a chemical management framework, and are working on reducing emission volumes.
Chemical Management Framework
The Taiyo Yuden Group has its own standards in place for chemical substance management, which define chemical substances that must not be used, must only be used in limited situations, and must be managed.
Target Chemicals
| Prohibited substances | Cadmium, compounds containing cadmium, mercury, compounds containing mercury, hexavalent chromium compounds, etc. |
|---|---|
| Substances to be restricted | Lead in ceramic/glass frit and piezoelectric bodies, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and so on. |
| Substances to be managed | Toluene, REACH SVHC (substance of very high concern), xylene, etc. |
PRTR Law Compliance
In order to reduce the risks that chemicals impose on the environment, the Taiyo Yuden Group reports to the government the amounts of chemicals released to the environment (air, water, and soil), and waste chemicals transported and recycled under the Japanese Law for Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR). The government publishes the records and a database of these quantities making them widely available to members of the general public.
PRTR Restricted Substances
| Management No. | Chemical Substance Name | Emission (ton/year) |
Amount Transferred (ton/year) |
Amount Recycled (ton/year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | Silver and its water-soluble compounds | 0.0 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| 87 | Chromium and trivalent chromium compounds | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| 300 | Toluene | 30.8 | 21.7 | 27.6 |
| 308 | Nickel | 0.1 | 2.6 | 82.8 |
| 309 | Nickel compounds | 0.8 | 5.9 | 8.7 |
| 405 | Boron compound | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| 438 | Methylnaphthalene | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
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*Target chemical substances and their incoming amount shown refer to substances for which their incoming amount exceeds 1 ton in compliance with the PRTR Law.
Emission: This refers to the total emission into the atmosphere, water, and soil.
Amount Transferred: This refers to the amount whose disposal is outsourced to an industrial waste contractor outside the business facility concerned.
Ozone-depleting Substances
We do not use ozone-depleting substances in our production processes. Although we use HCFC as a coolant in air conditioners and other equipment, we carry out appropriate collection and disposal.
Preparation for Emergency
Various types of regularly scheduled training are implemented to respond to sudden accidents, disasters, and other risks, with the objectives of early discovery, rapid response, prevention and mitigation. The Taiyo Yuden Group reconfirms appropriate procedures and strives for continuous improvement.
Firefighting Training
R&D Center
We conducted initial firefighting training using fire extinguishers. (Dec. 2023)
Yawatabara Plant/TAIYO YUDEN TECHNO SOLUTIONS
We conducted water hose handling training using outdoor fire hydrants. (Jun. 2023)
TAIYO YUDEN (MALAYSIA)
We conducted fire extinguisher handling training using a powder fire extinguisher. (Nov. 2023)
Emergency Training for Spillage of Chemical Substances
Nakanojo Plant
We conducted collection training assuming that a chemical substance leaked. (Nov. 2023)
TAIYO YUDEN Mobile Technology
We conducted off-site leakage prevention and collection training assuming that untreated wastewater leaked. (Jan. 2024)
TAIYO YUDEN (MALAYSIA)
We conducted collection training assuming that a chemical substance leaked during transportation. (Aug. 2023)
Evacuation and Medical Emergency Training
Takasaki Global Center
We learned how to use AEDs and the cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique. (Jan. 2023)
NIIGATA TAIYO YUDEN
We conducted transportation training assuming that injuries occurred during a fire. (Nov. 2023)
KOREA KYONG NAM TAIYO YUDEN
We conducted evacuation drill assuming a fire occurred in the employee dormitory at night. (Dec. 2023)
Removing Soil Contamination
The investigation was conducted in accordance with the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act at ELNA Shirakawa Factory and it was confirmed that everything was within the standard range. The investigation was conducted in accordance with the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act at Takasaki Global Center and Tamamura Plant, and countermeasures were implemented.
Environmental Accidents
No accidents that could affect the surrounding environment have occurred.
Measures for Prevention of Fire and Explosion
We have established our own voluntary standard on the three elements of combustion (combustibles, oxygen, and heat sources) as prevention measures for fire and explosion, and we implement measures and conduct management accordingly.
In addition, we conduct training on firefighting/evacuation every year in preparation for the breakout of a fire.
No fire or explosion has occurred.