Toray Group has steadily lowered GHG emissions thanks to a combination of consistent energy conservation efforts dating to the aftermath of the 1973 oil embargo and more recent actions such as moves as conversion to more environment friendly fuels. As a manufacturer responsible for supplying materials to a range of industries, we anticipate that our own initiatives will be augmented in the years to come by increased market demand for products that help lower energy use and GHG emissions.
In FY 2005, we set global warming initiative targets of reducing GHG emissions 10% over FY1990 levels by FY 2008 and holding CO2 emissions to 1990 levels. We formulated new targets in FY 2007 in response to forecasts indicating that we would be able to meet these targets through converting fuel used in boilers from oil to natural gas, and consistent energy conservation activities such as reducing heat loss. The target selection process took into account expected expansions in the scale of our operations under our mid-term business strategies and incorporated the following goals into our basic approach:
- Toray will set targets in terms of absolute quantities and at a minimum will maintain Japan's reduction ratio as established by the Kyoto Protocol.
- Toray Group (Japan) will manage targets using unit energy consumption.
- 1.Toray will reduce GHG emissions by at least 6% over FY 1990 levels by FY 2010.
- 2.Toray Group (Japan) will reduce unit GHG emissions (per net sales) by at least 15% over FY 1990 levels by FY 2010.
- 3.Toray Group (including overseas subsidiaries and affiliates) will raise its targets for reducing unit energy consumption by at least 2% annually.
In terms of specific reduction countermeasures, Toray is giving the highest priority to internal efforts to reduce emissions rather than relying on emissions trading.
- Reductions through energy conservation
- Development of new industrial processes improving efficiency
- Reductions through converting to more environmentally friendly fuels
- Expansion of energy conservation activities overseas
Natural gas boiler at the Mishima Plant- GHG reduction by converting to more environmentally friendly boiler fuels
Part of an initiative to reduce emissions by annual 60kt of CO2 by converting from fuel oil to natural gas, this gas-fired boiler became operational in July 2007.
Inspecting wood chips at Imabari-Kako (supplier)- In search of biofuel solutions
We are seeking to further reduce 27kt CO2 annually by powering boilers with a mixture of wood chips and coal. Operation is expected to begin in January 2010 after trial at the Ehime Plant.
