CSR

[ISO 26000 Core Subject] The Environment

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 2011, 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 34 tons, up 6% on the fiscal 2010 level.

The main chemical substances that we treat include antimony, lead compounds, and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, 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 gasify in the air, and are widely used in factories and usually contained in thinner and alcohols. VOCs also comprise suspended particulate matter that adversely impacts human health and are said to be one of the causes of photochemical oxidation. In fiscal 2011, the total atmospheric emissions of 10 major VOC substances widely used at Fujikura and other domestic Group companies came to 97 tons, down by 4% year on year. We are making further efforts to reduce our use and atmospheric emissions of VOCs by recovering isopropyl alcohol and replacing toluene and other VOC ink solvents with alternatives.