Sustainability
Responsible Care
Responsible Care
Tokuyama actively practices Responsible Care as one of the original members of the Japan Responsible Care Committee established in 1995 under the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA).
Basic Philosophy of Responsible Care
Basic Policy
In the spirit of contributing to the creation of a sustainable society, the Tokuyama Group carries out Responsible Care activities that protect the environment and preserve safety and health in each process, from procurement of raw materials and product manufacturing to distribution, sale, disposal, and recycling. Our social mission is to aggressively tackle and systematically solve environmental issues in particular, which, in turn, will lead to sustainable corporate and social development. Based on this recognition, we promote Environmental Management, a management policy that emphasizes the environment, in all processes of our business activities.
Action Objectives
- 1. Promote environmental protection
- Implement an ISO 14001-based Environmental Management System and reduce environmental impact
- 2. Observe the laws and regulations
- Observe international rules, domestic laws and regulations and industrial standards
- Thoroughly implement export management rules on materials under control
- 3. Promote energy conservation and curb global warming
- Achieve top-class unit energy consumption in the industry for each product
- 4. Promote resource recycling and work toward reduction and the proper management of waste materials
- Promote the material recycling and thermal recycling of resources
- Work toward achieving a paperless office
- 5. Promote process safety, disaster prevention and occupational health and safety
- Aim for zero accidents and disasters based on the principles of self-responsibility and the self-management of safety
- Achieve a comfortable working environment and protect people's safety and health
- 6. Ensure strict product safety standards
- Offer environmentally friendly products that can be used with safety
- Provide proper information on how to use products and what precautions to take
- 7. Deepen the relationship of trust with society
- Publicly disclose information on the Company's activities concerning environmental protection, process safety and disaster prevention, occupational health and safety, and chemical product safety
- Actively engage in dialogue with the local communities
Chemicals and Product Safety
Tokuyama practices thorough product quality control and verifies the hazard level and toxicity of chemical substances so that they can be used with peace of mind. It also complies with chemical regulations in and outside of Japan.
Quality Management System
Tokuyama is carrying out activities in accordance with the Three-Year Quality Management Plan based on our quality policy in order to provide products and services that accurately meet customer needs and expectations.
Tokuyama Group Quality Policy
The Tokuyama Group has set the following quality guidelines, based on the Tokuyama Group Sustainability Principles.
- We comply with laws and regulations and provide environmentally responsible products and services tailored to needs and expectations.
- We refine our unique strengths to ensure customer satisfaction.
- We remain constantly aware that “Commitment to customer satisfaction is a profit source.”
- We continuously improve the effectiveness of our quality management systems.
ISO 9001 Quality Management System
It has been 20 years since a quality management system was introduced company-wide, including in sales and development departments, in fiscal 2002. The system is now well-established in all departments and is generating continuous improvement. An external audit by a third party in 2021 pointed out no major or minor nonconformances.
Internal audits check the progress of action plans and the status of the system based on the JISQ 9001:2015 standard,requiring corrective actions for any defects. In addition to compliance with the requirements of the standard, audits also verify the effectiveness of the quality management system and whether or not it is helping to improve customer satisfaction.
Proper Management of Chemicals
Tokuyama continues to strengthen its chemical management by assessing each process for the hazard level and toxicity of chemical substances in products, ensuring compliance with the laws and regulations in and outside of Japan, and conducting risk assessments.
Product Assessments
Tokuyama confirms product safety at each stage of operations, from the initial research and development stage through to market release. The assessments confirm compliance with legal requirements and evaluate the level of various risks, including the safety of chemical substances used in the product, their potential impact on the environment, their potential effect on human health, and the attribution of intellectual property rights.
Labelling Assessments
Labelling assessments are conducted to eliminate deficiencies or improper wording in instructions or warnings contained in labelling and documentation such as catalogs, instruction sheets, and safety data sheets (SDS).*
* A safety data sheet is a document for recording information related to the risks and toxicity of chemical substances. It is prepared to facilitate the safe handling of such substances, and includes the names of the substances, safety measures, and procedures for responding to emergencies.
Chemical Export Control
Chemical-related regulations are being frequently revised in accordance with the global trend toward stricter regulation of chemicals and higher fines for non-compliance. Tokuyama operates a chemical export control scheme encompassing Group companies, to stay current on the chemical-related regulations in each country, and to avoid oversights and errors when exporting chemicals.
Management of Chemicals in Products
Tokuyama manages chemicals in products, and discloses and communicates such information, with the aim of reducing the impact on the human and the environment during product use and disposal of used products, realizing safe and efficient recycling processes. Management is based on JIS Z 7201:2017 "Management of chemicals in products - Principles and guidelines".
Tokuyama is a member company of the Joint Article Management Promotion-consortium (JAMP) and uses chemSHERPA, which is operated by JAMP, as a standard communication tool in the supply chain.
Environmentally Conscious Products
Turning Environmental Performance into Product Value
We certify our products that contribute to energy conservation, the reduction of CO2 emissions, and the effective use of resources as "Environmentally Conscious Products".
Through the development of products that meet the needs of society and the market, together with our efforts to reduce environmental impact and improve energy efficiency, we strive to deliver greater value through quality and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
Tokuyama Environmentally Conscious Product Levels
Environmentally Conscious Product Mark
Level 1
Level 2
The mark features an infinite loop formed from the letter "e" in ecology, expressing the continuous environmental value generated by Environmentally Conscious Products.
The level indicators use sprouting leaves as a symbol of the energy and vitality that support the global environment.
Self-Certification Requirements and Certification Process
Tokuyama Environmentally Conscious Products are self-certified products that contribute to energy conservation, the reduction of CO2 emissions, the effective use of resources, environmental remediation, or other environmental benefits, as well as products that have obtained external certifications.
For self-certification, an application is submitted by the relevant product department or a recommendation is made by the Sustainability Management Division. Products are certified following review and approval by the Product Safety and Quality Assurance Committee. After certification, continuous improvement efforts are monitored, and certification status is periodically reviewed.
Certified Products
| Product / Business | Reason for Certification |
|---|---|
|
Waste gypsum board recycling （Tokuyama Chiyoda Gypsum Co. Ltd.) https://tc-g.co.jp/ |
〇The collection and recycling of waste gypsum board 〇100% recycling achieved through large-crystallization technology 〇The circular use of gypsum resources and the reduction of landfill waste |
|
Recycling and Environmental Business https://www.tokuyama.co.jp/eng/products/cement/resouce.html |
〇Effective utilization of combustible components as an alternative thermal energy source 〇Waste reduction through recycling and resource recovery |
|
Plaster Products https://frescogiclee-lemarge.com/english/ |
〇Contribution to the reduction of formaldehyde in indoor air 〇Humidity control through moisture absorption and desorption performance |
|
Ion exchange membranes / Electrodialyzers （ASTOM Corporation） https://www.astom-corp.jp/en/ |
〇Desalination of industrial wastewater, wastewater reuse, and resource recovery from industrial wastewater 〇Recovery and reuse of acids and alkalis from neutralized salts |
| Product / Business | Reason for Certification |
|---|---|
|
Aluminum Nitride Products https://www.tokuyama.co.jp/eng/products/advanced_materials/aln_powder_granules.html https://www.tokuyama.co.jp/eng/products/advanced_materials/aln_ceramics.html https://www.tokuyama.co.jp/eng/products/advanced_materials/hi_msoft.html https://www.tokuyama.co.jp/eng/products/advanced_materials/aln_filler.html |
〇High thermal conductivity enables efficient heat dissipation from semiconductor devices, improving thermal management and enhancing overall reliability of electronic equipment. |
|
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin https://www.tokuyama.co.jp/eng/products/chemicals/polyvinyl_chloride.html |
〇Uses chlorine derived from industrial salt and contributes to longer product life through its high durability. 〇When used in window frames, it helps enhance window insulation and airtightness, thereby improving the energy efficiency of buildings. |
|
MBL Materials Co., Ltd. Products https://www.mblbio.com/e/products/rms/index.html |
〇Since FY2022, the Tsukuba Site has achieved zero Scope 2 emissions through the use of renewable electricity. |
|
OMNICHROMA (Tokuyama Dental Corporation) https://tokuyama-dental.com/ |
〇A single-shade design that accommodates a wide range of tooth shades contributes to reduced resource consumption by simplifying inventory management and minimizing material waste. |
|
High-purity Polycrystalline Silicon https://www.tokuyama.co.jp/eng/products/electronic_materials/polysilicon.html |
〇Contributes to lower energy consumption intensity during manufacturing through enhanced production efficiency. 〇Contributes to reducing environmental impact through higher yields in customers’ manufacturing processes, supported by high-purity polysilicon of consistently stable quality. |
Initiatives to Enhance Customer Satisfaction
Tokuyama strives to improve customer satisfaction by monitoring information related to quality, such as complaints and claims, as well as feedback and requests from customers during dual audits. In addition, we actively respond, evaluate, and make improvements based on other inquiries and requests from customers in order to enhance customer satisfaction.