Management of Chemical Substances

Management of Chemical Substances at Plants in Japan

The Sumitomo Forestry Group manages hazardous chemical substances at each of three relevant Sumitomo Forestry Crest plants (Kashima Plant, Niihama Plant, Imari Plant) in accordance with the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register Law in Japan.

Management of Chemical Substances at Plants Overseas

Chemical substances, including adhesives and coatings, in the table below are managed at overseas plants in accordance with the management regulations for chemical substances in each country.

Management of Air Pollutants

Management of Air Pollutants at Plants in Japan

The Sumitomo Forestry Group periodically conducts atmospheric emission concentration tests for dioxins, NOx, SOx, and smoke dust for each relevant plant at Sumitomo Forestry Crest (Kashima Plant, Shizuoka Plant, and Niihama Plant), the Shinshiro Plant at Sumitomo Forestry Landscaping, and at the Mombetsu and Hachinohe Biomass Electric Power in accordance with the Air Pollution Control Act as well as local regulations. In fiscal 2023, emissions concentration testing results were all within the relevant standard values.

Management of Air Pollutants at Plants Overseas

At overseas plants, the Sumitomo Forestry Group measures the concentration of NOx, SOx and smoke dust in Indonesia and Vietnam as well as VOC emission in the United States of America in accordance with the regulations of each country and region. In fiscal 2023, emissions concentration testing results were all within the relevant standard values.

Management of Water Pollutants

Management of Water Pollutants in Japan

The Sumitomo Forestry Group conducts periodic water quality concentration tests of waste water at the Tsukuba Research Institute, all plants of Sumitomo Forestry Crest (Kashima Plant, Shizuoka Plant, Niihama Plant, Imari Plant), Mombetsu Biomass Power Generation Plant and Hachinohe Biomass Power Generation Plant in accordance with the Water Pollution Control Act of Japan. Measured concentrations at the Kashima Plant have been affected by slags* in the soil since the land was purchased (when the Kashima Plant was built), causing the land to rise and water quality concentrations (PH values) to exceed the regulated values, but measurements continue to be carried out to determine the values. All other plant measured concentrations were below regulation threshold.

* General term for unwanted components that are separated during the smelting of minerals. Also known as slag.

Management of Water Pollutants Overseas

The Sumitomo Forestry Group conducts concentration tests of water pollutants at overseas plants in accordance with the water quality regulations for wastewater in each country. In fiscal 2023, the regulation threshold for suspended solids (SS) concentration at Pan Asia Packing Ltd. was exceeded. Pan Asia Packing Ltd. only discharges domestic wastewater, and it addressed this situation by embedding a device that filters food waste in front of the pipes. The company plans to replace aging pipes to improve the SS concentration.

Appropriate Disposal of Building Materials Containing Asbestos

The Sumitomo Forestry Group has secured the proper disposal routes for asbestos. At Sumitomo Forestry, credential holders conduct preliminary surveys on all construction works subject to regulations to determine whether or not asbestos-containing building materials are present. In particular, the basis for determining the presence of asbestos is made clear, and results are reported to the asbestos preliminary survey results reporting system. At demolition sites, guidance is given and measures are implemented to prevent the release of asbestos into the air and to ensure that it is disposed of properly.
The Group is also engaged in proper disposal of asbestos in the buildings of the various Group companies based on the law.
The persons in charge of the sales, design, and production groups involved in demolition work have taken e-learning on the preliminary survey of asbestos to enhance their knowledge.

Storage and Proper Disposal Polychlorinated Biphenyl Waste

The treatment of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contained in equipment such as spent high-voltage capacitors, was completed in Japan in fiscal 2021 in accordance with the Law concerning Special Measures for Promotion of Proper Treatment of PCB Wastes.

*1 The total disposal amount is based on the disposal notification and includes the weight of the storage container.

*2 The (Former) Nagoya Plant was closed in end of June 2015.

*1 The equipment included above is equipment currently in use or in storage which is being evaluated for processing

*2 The (Former) Nagoya Plant was closed in end of June 2015.

Management of Fluorocarbon Emissions

The Sumitomo Forestry Group is managing fluorocarbon emissions related to the fluorocarbon gases that are used as coolants by equipment such as air-conditioning and refrigeration at affiliate companies, and for testing equipment at the Tsukuba Research Institute, through periodic inspections of fluorocarbon emissions in accordance with the Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons enacted April 2015. There was no CFCs leakage in fiscal 2022.

* Data collection period: April 2022 to March 2023

Amount of Pesticide and Fertilizer used in Forests

*1 Scope of tabulation: nursery fields in Japan and overseas forests (OBT, WSL, MTI, KMF, TPF)

*2 Terbuthylazine, etc., are mostly found in New Zealand, but are used in accordance with FSC standards.

*3 All nursery fields. No spraying on forestland

Project for Soil Purification Technology and Environmental Remediation Aided by Plants

In re-using the site of an old factory there is often the environmental impact associated with soil contamination and the cost burden of any remedial measures, which has become a problem as brownfields*. Under the revised Fire Service Act of Japan, gasoline stations are now obliged to repair any underground tanks that have lain under the ground for more than 40 years, and as a consequence of this, it is expected that between 1,000 and 2,000 stations will close down each year.

In order to meet the demand for environmental remediation and measures dealing with soil contamination, the Sumitomo Forestry Group has been working on cleansing contaminated soil by using the functions of plants (phytoremediation). As part of this, during fiscal 2012, in collaboration with ENEOS (JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation at the time), the Group developed a method for purifying soil contaminated with oil using Burning Field, a variety of Japanese lawn-grass independently registered by the Group.

One of the functions possessed by the variety of Japanese lawn-grass used in this method is that the nutrients transpiring from its roots activate microorganisms in the soil, and the upshot of this is that it has the potential to inexpensively reduce the oil content in polluted soil. The purification has completed at five gasoline stations or oil depots by fiscal 2023.

In fiscal 2013 and 2014, the Ministry of the Environment conducted a study on low-cost, low-impact technologies for surveying and for counteracting contaminated soil in addition to presenting the Environmental Measures Exemplary Efforts Awards (Minister of the Environment Award) in 2013. The study found that oil-degrading microorganisms tend to become more active, and were recognized as having potential to be applied at sites heavily contaminated with oil. Received the Good Design Award in October 2018 from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. In March 2020, the Burning Field®, an enhanced variety of Japanese lawn-grass was registered with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's New Technology Information System (NETIS). NETIS is a new technology information system designed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to share and provide information for use of new technologies. The use of NETIS-registered technology scores additional points for general evaluation at the bidding stage or construction performance evaluation during the usage stage, which is expected to raise awareness and standardize these new technologies at contractors involved in public works projects.

Moving forward, by steadily producing results in soil purification based on this technique, the Group will continue to help resolve the nationwide problem of oil contamination.

* Land that is not used or underutilized significantly compared to its potential value due to the presence or concern of soil contamination.