Environmental Protection

The Mitsui Chemicals Group is monitoring emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), air pollutants (NOx, SOx, and particulate matter), hazardous air pollutants, and substances subject to the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Act, and working to reduce environmental impact.

Among the hazardous air pollutants specified in the Air Pollution Control Act, we monitor emissions of priority substances that are believed to pose a high risk to human health and strive to reduce the emissions.

The Japanese government set a target of reducing fixed-source volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions in fiscal 2010 by 30% compared with fiscal 2000. VOCs emissions at Mitsui Chemicals reached 8,523 tons in fiscal 2000, so our target is 5,966 tons/year. However, we set a more stringent target of 3,000 tons/year or less, and succeeded in making drastic reductions by fiscal 2010. We will continue to strive to maintain emissions at this level.

In accordance with the Law Concerning Reporting, etc. of Releases to the Environment of Specific Chemical Substances and Promoting Improvements in Their Management (PRTR^* Act), Mitsui Chemicals submits a report to the Japanese government each year declaring the amounts of designated substances produced or used by the Company that were released into the environment or transferred elsewhere.
The Mitsui Chemicals Group continues to enhance its emissions management and has established a target of limiting annual emissions to 450 tons or less. To achieve this target, we formulate emission reduction measures.

To achieve this target by the end of fiscal 2030, we are advancing plans for facility modifications and other emission reduction initiatives. Specifically, we are installing new facilities, improving existing systems, and reviewing operational practices for the recovery and treatment of exhaust gases containing substances such as hexane and toluene.