Toray Group works continuously on environmental conservation measures at its production sites. It is working to prevent air pollution caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and dust emissions, as well as to prevent water pollution by reducing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Given that Toray Group processes involve many organic chemicals, reduction of atmospheric VOC emissions has been identified as a top priority. Under the Group’s CSR Roadmap 2025, covering fiscal years 2023 to 2025, KPIs have been established to drive this initiative. Going forward, the Group will continue efforts to reduce VOCs and other air pollutants by installing recovery systems and switching fuels. It will also keep decreasing BOD and COD through stable operation and expansion of wastewater treatment facilities.

In fiscal 2023, Toray Group’s atmospheric VOC emissions were 1,092 tons, down 5.6% (65 tons) compared to the previous fiscal year.
The emissions were 72.5% below the base year of fiscal 2000, achieving the CSR Roadmap 2025 target of a 70% reduction compared to the base year.
Going forward, as it works on business expansion, the Group will keep striving to achieve the KPI set under the CSR Roadmap 2025, namely, an annual reduction target of 72% or more compared to fiscal 2000. To achieve this goal, the Group will designate companies with high VOC atmospheric emissions as companies subject to supervision and work with these companies to further reduce emissions.

The Group will also keep voluntarily reducing atmospheric emissions of substances subject to the PRTR Act, which include chemicals of concern due to potential health impacts, while closely monitoring regulatory trends in each country or region where its production sites are located.
In fiscal 2023, total atmospheric emissions of PRTR-regulated substances across the Toray Group amounted to 924 tons. This represented a 64.8% reduction compared to the base year of fiscal 2000.

Air Emission Management (Fiscal 2023 Result)

In fiscal 2023, Toray Group recorded 480 tons of SOx emissions (down 27% year on year), 2,712 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions (down 8% year on year), and 632 tons of dust emissions (up 21% year on year). The year-on-year reduction in SOx and NOx emissions was due to the downsizing of coal-fueled boilers at group companies outside of Japan. The year-on-year increase in dust emissions was due to changes in fuel type.

Wastewater Quality Management (Fiscal 2023 Result)

Toray Group monitors and complies with regulations concerning BODs, CODs, and nitrogen in countries and regions where it operates plants and implements water quality management for plant wastewater. Plants with high effluent loads are reducing effluents by installing wastewater treatment facilities (activated sludge method) that utilize the activated sludge method and other techniques. The Group is committed to remaining in compliance with regulations through everyday facilities operation management and regular self-testing of water quality.

In fiscal 2023, Toray Group recorded 625 tons of BOD emissions (down 4% year on year) and 2,041 tons of COD emissions (down 30% year on year).　BOD and COD emissions improved from the previous year due to enhancement of wastewater treatment process efficiency and other efforts.
Moving forward, Toray Industries will further strengthen the technical support provided to group companies to achieve greater reduction of effluent loads.

The Group brings together wastewater managers every year to share and discuss strategies for enhancing wastewater management at production sites. The fiscal 2023 meeting was attended by 42 persons from Toray Industries’ plants and 33 persons from group companies in Japan.