Pollution Measures
Air Quality Measurements (Sanjo Works)
SOx and NOx levels in exhaust gases emitted from boilers used in factories are monitored regularly with respect to Shimadzu standards, which are stricter than the standards in Japanese air pollution laws and Kyoto prefectural environmental regulations.
At the Sanjo Works, aging fuel oil-fired boilers and natural gas boilers are being replaced successively to help prevent air pollution and to reduce CO2 emissions. In FY 2014, all of the fuel oil-fired boilers have been replaced.
Water Quality Measurements
Plant effluents are regularly measured with respect to Shimadzu standards, which are stricter than the standards in Japanese wastewater laws and Kyoto city wastewater regulations. In addition to regular measurements of each water quality parameter, the Sanjo Works also utilizes a specialized monitor and intranet LAN to continuously monitor pH and TOC (total organic carbon) levels. Also, a rapid response system has been built to send email notification to the person in charge of the problem if the pH level of wastewater exceeds the Shimadzu standards.
In addition, the total organic carbon (TOC) in wastewater is constantly monitored at its main production sites, Sanjyo, Seta and Hadano Works, and its research and development sites, Technology Research Laboratory (Keihanna) and Shimadzu Tokyo Innovation Plaza. TOC is the total amount of carbon that constitutes organic matter in water and is one of the leading indicators of water quality. TOC Analyzer is ideal for upstream wastewater monitoring applications because it can detect organic pollutants very quickly. By disseminating many examples of its use in our company to the public, we hope to promote its use in the real world, and to support our customers' environmental efforts.
On-Line Total Organic Carbon Analyzer
Water Management
We are committed to reducing water usage by using rainwater to water green areas and by installing water-saved fixtures.In FY2023, Shimadzu Group worldwide water consumption remained unchanged at 302,000 ㎥, but improved 5.7% in terms of water consumption per unit sales to 591 ㎥ per billion yen.
Factory effluents are controlled to voluntary standards that are stricter than required by law or regulations. At the main manufacturing and research locations within Japan, effluent water is monitored using a real-time wastewater monitoring system built using online water quality analyzers (TOC-4200)
and operated via the cloud. We will continue to implement measures for using resources sustainably.
Report on Effluent Violation
There were no effluent water-related violations during FY2023.
In FY2022, Shimadzu Corporation’s Seta Works (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture) was notified by Otsu City that n-hexane extract exceeding the standard specified in the Sewerage Act had been detected in effluent discharged (standard 30 mg/L or less, detected 42 mg/L).
As a result of the investigation, the cause was identified as wastewater discharged from the kitchen, and (1) a request was made to the kitchen supplier to take thorough measures to prevent contamination with oil, etc., and (2) measures were taken to clean the pipes in the kitchen system, and the results were reported to Otsu City. Subsequent followup monitoring has led to the establishment and operation of a monthly cleaning rule for the kitchen, which has rectified the issue.
Third Party Assurance of Environmental Data
Shimadzu Corporation received a third-party assurance from Deloitte Tohmatsu Sustainability Co., Ltd., to disclose highly reliable environmental impact data.
[Assurance coverage]
Period covered: April 1, 2023- March 31, 2024
Scope of the report: Head office, works, research laboratory, branch offices, and sales offices of Shimadzu Corporation and major group companies in Japan
Extent：Tap water consumption（m3）, Groundwater consumption（m3）
- *Click on the image to view the PDF.
Calculation Report Tap water consumption