VOC is the general term for organic compounds that volatilize or become gas in the atmosphere. They include chemicals like thinners and alcohols widely used in factories. In addition to their effects on human health, VOCs are said to be the causative agents of suspended particulate matter and photochemical oxidants.

Fujikura and its Group companies set the FY2025 target of achieving at least a 5% improvement in the intensity of main volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions (per 100 million yen in net sales) compared to FY2020 (annual improvement of at least 1%) as the VOC emissions reduction goal in the Fujikura Group Environmental Management Activity Guidelines.

In FY2021, Fujikura and its Group companies reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions to 49.4 tons, a 3.1% increase compared to 75.2 tons emitted in FY2020. Intensity was 22.1 tons/100 million yen in net sales, not achieving our goal with a 0.6% improvement compared to FY2020.

Although production decreased in FY2020 due to the impact of Corona and increased in FY2021 due to increased production, we will continue our efforts to (1) reduce the use of ethanol by improving the cleaning methods of manufacturing facilities, (2) recover IPA from the exhaust of manufacturing processes, (3) introduce alternative toluene for cleaning manufacturing facilities, and (4) discontinue production of products that use VOCs.