Using the specific gravity separation method, Fujikura has developed environmentally-friendly electrical wire ("eco wire") that is highly recyclable and suitable for material recycling*1 and thermal recycling*2. The Suzuka Plant recovers coating materials from removed end-of-use electrical wire and sorts it into three types of materials (polyethylene, environmentally friendly materials, and PVC) using liquid cyclone separation and recovery equipment that adopts the specific gravity separation method. This recycling system allows sorted recovery at a purity of 99% or higher.
We are also fostering the recycling of waste copper and coating materials from vinyl electrical wire for reuse.
With the spread of optical fiber cable, users and manufacturers will soon face the challenge of appropriately recycling end-of-use optical fiber cable. For Fujikura, one of its affiliates, Fuji Materials Ltd., is recycling removed optical fiber cable, having obtained a license to treat industrial waste.
Drums are used in the manufacture and transportation of electrical wire and cable. This wire and cable is delivered to customers, coiled mostly around wooden drums and sometimes around iron and plastic drums. One of its affiliates, Fuji Materials Ltd., supplies wooden drums to Fujikura.
After being used for delivery to customers, the drums are recovered and recycled. At least 80% of the drums that are now in use are recycled drums, except for special drums for naked wire and wire to be exported. In fiscal 2009, about 2,100 tons of wooden materials were saved by using these recycled drums.
For chemical substances used by Fujikura and other Group manufacturing companies in Japan, including substances contained in materials and those used in the manufacturing processes, the release and transfer of the following chemical substances are notified to the government by each of the manufacturing sites: specified chemical substances treated in amounts of one ton or more, as provided for in the Act on Confirmation, etc. of Release Amounts of Specific Chemical Substances in the Environment and Promotion of Improvements to the Management Thereof ("PRTR Act").
In fiscal 2010, the PRTR Act was revised and the number of specified chemical substances was increased from 354 to 462. In fiscal 2010, the total release and transfer of these substances from Fujikura and 18 other domestic Group companies came to 32 tons, down 22% on the fiscal 2007 level.
The main chemical substances that we treat include antimony, lead compounds, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, molybdenum, which are all used as additives to plastics and rubber materials; and xylene and toluene used in ink solvents and in gasoline for transporting vehicles. To reduce the release and transfer of these chemical substances, we will discontinue the use of lead and foster the use of eco-friendly substances in our products, and convert them to alternative materials.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that easily form vapor at normal temperature and pressure. They are released from organic solvents, including thinners and alcohols, which are widely used in factories.
VOCs are suspended particulate matter and one of the pollutants that are said to be a cause of photochemical oxidants. The Fujikura Group designated the following nine substances as priority VOCs, the use of which should be reduced before others: xylene, toluene, acetone, cyclohexanone, methylethylketone, isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and ethyl acetate. We are working to reduce their use and atmospheric emissions.
The table below shows domestic Group companies' total atmospheric emissions of substances that each exceeded one ton per year.
We have been promoting the use of alternatives and the prevention of atmospheric VOC emissions since fiscal 2005, and as a result have achieved a 50% reduction for isopropyl alcohol and methyl alcohol and a nearly 80% reduction for ethyl acetate. Due to increases in the production of some products, however, the use of toluene substantially increased, resulting in only a 4% reduction in our total atmospheric VOC emissions.
| FY 2005 (base year) |
FY 2006 | FY 2007 | FY 2008 | FY 2009 | FY 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric emissions (tons) |
85 | 81 | 92 | 82 | 82 | 82 |
