Environmental Risk Management

In fiscal 2024, six environmental accidents occurred within Toray Group, some of which were minor. These were all accidents in which chemicals leaked into the ground, or wastewater emissions exceeded administrative and agreed standards for water quality.
After promptly contacting the local governments, the plants involved implemented response measures based on internal rules. At the same time, the plants conducted analytical investigations and reviews of the surroundings and confirmed that the impact on the environment was extremely minor.
The causes of these accidents included insufficient management of wastewater treatment facilities and failure to anticipate pipe corrosion due to the effects of chemicals. To prevent recurrences, Toray will take thorough measures group-wide such as reviewing emergency response procedures for wastewater treatment facilities, checking chemical pipe corrosion, as well as strengthening the management of wastewater within factories.
The Group received two complaints from residents near its facilities concerning noise, which were seriously examined and addressed by implementing improvements.

Environmental Accidents in FY 2024 (Toray Group)

Toray Industries conducts product safety reviews before launching new products on the market. As part of these reviews, a prescribed checklist is used for environmental assessment. The Environment & Safety Department confirms and evaluates the measures taken for each stage of the new product’s life cycle, from raw material procurement, manufacturing, packaging and distribution, to product use, recycling, and disposal.

Evaluation Checklist Items (excerpt):

1. Does the product comply with the Toray Green Procurement Guidelines? (e.g. Is it free from prohibited substances?)
2. To help protect biodiversity, do the operational emissions exceed the standard values for regulated substances?
3. Is recycling used within the processes and are waste heat and unused energy utilized effectively?
4. Have the amounts of exhaust gas and noise generated during product use been reduced?
5. Have measures been taken to reduce the environmental impact, such as by preventing the generation of harmful gases during incineration and by avoiding the leaching of hazardous substances during landfilling?

Toray Group constructs protective embankments around its facilities and storage tanks for hazardous chemicals, and takes precautions to ensure that none of these dangerous substances leak or discharge into the surrounding area or contaminate the soil onsite.
In fiscal 2024, remediation using wells to clean up groundwater pollution continued at Toray Monofilament Co., Ltd., and remediation to address soil pollution continued at Toray Industries' Nagoya Plant. Toray Group will continue these ongoing remediation efforts and voluntary surveys to monitor soil and groundwater pollution.