Environment

Reduction of Atmospheric Emissions of Harmful Substances

Establishing risk management indicators and reducing VOCs

With respect to the chemical substances used in the factories, since 1993, Konica Minolta has set a target for the reduction of total atmospheric emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), prioritizing several types of VOCs that are deemed particularly risky in terms of hazard and amount used. The Group completely eliminated the use of particularly hazardous substances (benzene, formaldehyde, chloroform and so on) by fiscal 2004. Furthermore, starting from fiscal 2005, Konica Minolta has developed its initiatives to reduce the use of chemicals based on its unique risk management indicators*1.
The various Group companies introduced alternative technologies and adopted measures to prevent evaporation and to improve manufacturing processes. Their steady and continuous efforts resulted in reductions of VOCs that significantly exceeded the target in fiscal 2008.
In order to continue reducing risk, from fiscal 2009, Konica Minolta has revised its risk management indicators and has set new targets. Specifically, the Group will expand the scope of reductions of VOCs, in addition to the conventional substances that pose a direct risk to human health and a risk of atmospheric pollution, to substances that pose a risk to ecosystems and an indirect impact on the environment. Additionally, Konica Minolta has set coefficients of degree of hazard of substances according to the direct of indirect impact, to one time, 10 times and 100 times. Multiplying this by a location coefficient that takes into account the location of the factory and the amount of emissions allows to the Group companies calculate the environmental impact indicator *2 of a given substance.

*1

Risk management indicator: An indicator of the impact of VOCs released into the atmosphere based on the sum of the risk of direct impact on human health and the risk of atmospheric pollution.

*2

Environmental impact indicator = ∑(Degree of hazard coefficient x Location coefficient x Emissions [t])
Location coefficient: Outside the industrial estate 5, inside the industrial estate 1

Countermeasures against Contamination of Soil and Groundwater

Regular inspections and further purification to prevent the spread of contamination

We survey our sites in Japan that have a history of using chemical substances, which may have caused soil or groundwater contamination. If any contamination of soil or groundwater is found at our sites, we implement regular inspections for more reliable management, so as to prevent identified pollutants from impacting the neighborhood.
To facilitate purification of contamination and prevent any further spread, a specialist team has been organized. Under the team's supervision, we carry out detailed examinations to work out decontamination measures, and study purification technologies. Based on the results of these examinations and studies, we are further strengthening our purification activities. The outcome of these activities and inspection results are regularly reported to the local government agencies concerned.

Lead, arsenic, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, TCE, and PCE have been completely eliminated from use.

*1

TCE: Trichloroethylene

*2

PCE: Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)

*3

c-DCE: cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (resolvent of TCE and PCE)

*4

Bioremediation: A technology for treating pollutants by using microorganisms to break down undesirable substances