CSR Activity Report (CSR Guideline Activity Reports) - Safety, Accident Prevention, and Environmental Preservation

Initiatives to Prevent Air and Water Pollution

Toray Group works continuously on environmental conservation measures at its production sites. Ongoing initiatives that it will continue include reducing sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by installing desulfurization equipment and switching to cleaner fuels, and reducing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) through stable operation and expansion of wastewater treatment facilities.

Air Emission Management (Fiscal 2022 Result)

In fiscal 2022, Toray Group recorded 659 tons of SOx emissions (down 51% year on year), 2,937 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions (up 9% year on year), and 522 tons of dust emissions (up 66% year on year). The year-on-year reduction in SOx emissions was due to the downsizing of coal-fueled boilers at group companies outside of Japan. The year-on-year increase in the other two air pollutants was due to higher production volumes based on business recovery associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Atmospheric Emissions (SOx)
Atmospheric Emissions (SOx)
Atmospheric Emissions (NOx)
Atmospheric Emissions (NOx)
Atmospheric Emissions (Dust)
Atmospheric Emissions (Dust)

Wastewater Quality Management (Fiscal 2022 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 2022, Toray Group recorded 651 tons of BOD emissions (down 1% year on year) and 2,896 tons of COD emissions (up 35% year on year). BOD emissions remained at the same level as the previous year due to stabilization of the wastewater treatment process and other efforts. However, COD emissions increased due to higher production volumes based on business recovery associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as operations at new plants.
Moving forward, Toray Industries will further strengthen the technical support provided to group companies to achieve greater reduction of effluent loads.

Water Emissions (BOD)
Water Emissions (BOD)
Water Emissions (COD)
Water Emissions (COD)

The Group brings together wastewater managers every year to share and discuss strategies for enhancing wastewater management at production sites. The fiscal 2022 meeting was attended by 37 persons from Toray Industries’ plants and 27 persons from group companies in Japan.