NHK Spring Group's Environmental Challenges
(Reducing CO₂ and Industrial Waste)

* SCOPE 1: Direct emissions of greenhouse gases by business operators (fuel combustion, industrial processes)
* SCOPE 2: Indirect emissions arising in line with use of electricity, heat and steam supplied by other companies

In FY2023, following on from the previous year, we implemented measures such as updating compressors to optimize control, replacing aging air conditioners, electrifying boilers that use fossil fuels, and reducing and discontinuing use of equipment. In addition, we introduced solar power generation facilities and purchased renewable energy. As a result, both the total amount of CO₂ emissions and the CO₂ emissions per unit of sales decreased at NHK Spring and Group companies in Japan. 

NHK Spring Group is promoting the introduction of solar power generation equipment with the aim of switching to non-fossil energy. To date, we have introduced solar power generation equipment at 5 NHK Spring factories and 15 Group companies in Japan, for a total of 20 business sites.

In order to achieve carbon neutrality, we are currently planning to introduce and expand solar power generation facilities at multiple business sites.

1. Carbon Neutrality Contribution Award

In order to share the technological measures being taken to achieve carbon neutrality across the entire Group, we are giving awards to recognize cases of CO₂ emissions reduction. 

In 2023, there were 29 entries from NHK Spring and domestic Group companies, and the President's Award was presented to the NHK Spring Seating Division Gunma Plant for “Improvement of steam energy conservation in the seat finishing process”.

Outline of  “Improvement of steam energy conservation in the seat finishing process”: In the process of removing wrinkles from seats using a steam iron, steam was previously released constantly for safety, quality and productivity reasons, however, by changing the equipment so that steam is only released when necessary, it has been possible to improve steam energy conservation in the process.

2. Strengthening monitoring using environmental website

The Safety and Environmental Activities Dept. has set up an environmental website on the NHK Spring intranet. This site makes it possible to check energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in the Company and domestic Group companies. The Safety and Environmental Activities Dept. monitors trends in emissions through the website and conducts monthly follow-ups on facilities that are lagging behind.

The Miyada Plant, which manufactures semiconductor process components, achieved carbon neutrality (CN) in April 2025. Established in April 2019 as a new facility, the plant was designed and built from the outset with the concept of being carbon-neutral, operating without the use of fossil fuels.  CO₂ emissions are tracked not only from the production floor but also from heating equipment and the cafeteria. By fully electrifying all equipment within the plant, fossil fuel–derived CO₂ emissions have been eliminated. Through the purchase of renewable energy and the introduction of solar power generation, the plant contributes to reducing approximately 4,000 t-CO₂ annually. Solar panels were installed from the time of its establishment, and were also added to the new production building completed in 2024. This fiscal year, additional panels will be installed in available spaces of existing buildings.

 NHK Spring, under the NHK Spring Group’s Environmental Challenges, is working toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2039, with a focus on the development of new technologies. Specifically, as part of our carbon neutrality investments, we plan to allocate 10 billion yen through FY2026 in line with our medium-term plan to promote initiatives such as the electrification of production facilities and the purchase of renewable energy.

NHK Spring and its domestic Group companies are working to reduce industrial waste as part of our global environmental conservation activities, and we have achieved our group target of a “recycling rate of 99% or more” every year. Furthermore, in accordance with the industrial waste targets set out in the “NHK Spring Group's Environmental Challenges” declaration of September 2021, we will work to achieve even stricter targets for reducing the amount of non-recyclable wastes*. 
At present, we define thermal recycling as a resource recovery process, however, because CO₂ is generated during incineration, we are considering switching to material or chemical recycling in the future.

*Non-recyclable wastes = industrial wastes that are not reused and recycled due to landfilling or otherwise

In FY2023, we reduced industrial waste emissions by 68% compared to the FY2013 level, achieving our reduction target. We will continue to work on waste reduction activities in order to achieve the goals set out in NHK Spring Group's Environmental Challenges. 

We introduce some of the initiatives that NHK Spring and domestic Group companies are implementing to achieve NHK Spring Group's Environmental Challenges. The following are the main activities for reducing non-recyclable wastes.

(1) Thorough sorting and conversion of waste plastic into valuable resources using material judgment equipment
(2) Re-examining of recycling contractors capable of conducting recycling
(3) Promotion of free recycling and conversion of waste materials into valuable resources

Because some of the waste plastic discharged from the factory was treated as mixed plastic, it was previously disposed of by landfilling as non-recyclable waste, however, by improving the sorting process and conducting recycling, it has been possible to change all of it to recycled materials.

Previously, the plant carried out thermal recycling of waste materials generated in the extrusion molding process, however, by sorting the waste plastic by type and reviewing the processing subcontractor, it has been possible to convert wastes into valuable resources and achieve material recycling.