Pollution Prevention

Environmental pollution caused by exhaust gas, wastewater, and waste materials containing toxic substances resulting from business activities adversely impacts human health and ecosystems. Pollution can also be caused by the use of products and by the disposal of products that are no longer needed. In Japan, various cases of serious pollution harming human health emerged during its high economic growth period due to the countryʼs industrialization and economic development, which dramatically increased the amounts of waste materials and toxic substances contaminating the atmosphere, aquatic areas, soil, and underground water. Environmental pollution, once it occurs, has a serious impact on local communities and biodiversity, which can only be restored to their original state—if it is possible to do so at all—by spending a great deal of time and money. We recognize that preventing pollution is an important issue in protecting the health and living environment of people.

The SHIONOGI Group stipulates in the SHIONOGI Group EHS Policy that we will comply with laws and regulations related to the environment, health, and safety, and strive to maintain and improve EHS standards. We have established an EHS management system, in which we thoroughly comply with laws and regulations related to air, water, and soil pollution and assess the status of compliance, thereby working to prevent pollution throughout the group.

To prevent air pollution, the SHIONOGI Group strictly observes the regulatory values for NOx, SOx, and particulate matter while reducing SOx generation through fuel conversion from heavy oil, which contains many impurities, to liquefied natural gas. To prevent contamination in sewers and rivers, we set voluntary criteria for pollutants, which are stricter than those imposed by related laws and regulations, and carry out round-the-clock monitoring with the use of TOC^*1 meters and oil content monitoring devices. At the Kanegasaki Plant, the Tokushima Plant, and the Aburahi Research Center, where wastewater is released into rivers from operating sites, wastewater is treated and purified at the facilities on their premises before it is released into nearby rivers.

The Kanegasaki Plant, which handles large quantities of chemical substances, sets voluntary criteria for soil and takes measurements periodically. It is confirmed that the measurements have constantly been below the applicable environmental criteria.

Environment-related laws and regulations cover a wide range of issues, including waste and energy management, the prevention of air and water pollution, and the management of chemical substances. To ensure thorough compliance, we share information on legal and regulatory revisions with each operating site, organize educational programs, and compile relevant information and knowledge in manuals. We also conduct a periodic assessment of the status of legal and regulatory compliance. As with environmental matters, we also ensure legal and regulatory compliance and assessment with regard to health and safety affairs.

To date, we have never been subject to litigation or penalties for EHS-related violations.

In March 2021, it was found that the Kanegasaki Plant had failed to report the use of fluorine in the facilities specified for the use of toxic substances prescribed by the Water Pollution Control Act. Regarding this matter, we promptly consulted with the Iwate Prefectural Government, took measures according to its instructions, and conducted a re-inspection to ensure that there were no similar omissions.