About CSR

The Paris Agreement came into force in 2016, setting a goal of limiting the rise in average temperatures to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. Japan has also announced a 46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (compared to 2013), and is considering making it mandatory for Prime-listed companies to disclose emissions, indicating calls for action at a national level. The NIKKOL GROUP has set a CO₂ emission reduction target of 30% in the Manufacturing Division and 15%–25% in other divisions (compared to FY2019) by FY2025 and monitors CO₂ emissions at each group company every month to promote reduction activities.

In October 2023, Nippon Surfactant Industries’ Utsunomiya and Nasu factories and the Nasu Factory of Bergerac Japon switched to CO₂-free electricity,* resulting in zero CO₂ emissions from electricity. This switch will decrease approximately 2,752 tons of CO₂ per year (compared to 2019). *The Green Basic Plan provided by TEPCO Energy Partner, Inc.: A plan that is compatible with RE100, combining the average power of all power sources with FIT non-fossil certificates (with tracking) and non-FIT non-fossil certificates designated for renewable energy (with power source attribute information).

Energy-saving DO (dissolved oxygen) meters

Nippon Surfactant Industries is changing the equipment installed in its factories to energy-saving electric motors that have a smaller environmental impact, and is also actively promoting inverter control. In addition, lighting equipment is being switched from fluorescent lights to LEDs. One example of inverter control is the blower at the wastewater treatment plant, which consumed a lot of electricity during 24-hour continuous operation. By installing a DO (dissolved oxygen) meter at the wastewater treatment plant and inverter controlling the blower based on the DO (dissolved oxygen) value, the blower output can be adjusted according to the amount of oxygen required, reducing unnecessary power consumption and promoting energy conservation.

Solar power generation

Nippon Surfactant Industries’ Utsunomiya and Nasu factories use electricity generated by solar power. The annual power generation in Utsunomiya is 45,736 kWh (actual results for FY2021, approximately 0.8% of purchased electricity), which is equivalent to the amount used in logistics buildings. The solar power generation system will be expanded in Nasu in 2024, with a maximum power generation of 600 kWh, which will cover approximately 30% of the electricity used throughout the site. We will continue to promote the use of renewable energy in the future.

Nippon Surfactant Industries’ Utsunomiya factory has installed a gas cogeneration system. The electricity produced by this system is used for in-factory processes, and the heat is used for the water supply’s steam boiler. The use of the cogeneration system has achieved an energy saving rate of 15.1% (compared to conventional systems). This has reduced 11.3 kL/year in crude oil equivalents and approximately 30 t/year in CO₂ emissions. (Installed in 2015)

Nikko Chemicals Singapore has optimized its operations by shutting down the cooling tower every time production is finished. The cooling tower was previously in operation 24 hours a day, so this measure has reduced electricity usage by 540,000 kWh (43%), water usage by 18,000 m3 (73%), and CO₂ emissions by 250 tons (45%) per year.

Environmentally friendly manufacturing

Nikko Chemicals has been working for many years on environmentally friendly manufacturing by applying bioengineering. We are devising bio-based technologies by applying fermentation technology using microorganisms, developing original enzymes, enzyme reaction technology, and other initiatives. In another example,  we have been participating in the MATSURI Project* as a corporate partner since August 2022. We are working with various companies and governments from a wide variety of industries to develop sustainable products using algae. *The MATSURI Project is a Japanese corporate collaboration project using algae.

Reusing water and wastewater treatment

At Nippon Surfactant Industries’ Utsunomiya factory, we have introduced water recycling equipment in some processes carried out within the facility. In addition, by installing a 1,4-dioxane removal device in the wastewater treatment process, we are achieving the target values and are working to reduce our environmental impact. This device is the first of its kind used by a private company in Japan that can treat industrial wastewater, and it is also the first in Japan to use a multi-stage series system (excluding experimental models). We strive to protect the environment by reusing water and reducing wastewater from the facility.