We are carrying forward our efforts to reduce environmental impact, and when installing a new plant or expanding an existing one, we take advantage of enhanced technologies to curb such impact. We will continue these efforts in the future.
We have been striving to control SOx emissions to reduce atmospheric pollution, and as a result of the Tokuyama Plant switching from heavy oil to low-sulfur oil, our SOx emissions decreased compared to the level in 2006 and previous levels.
The quality of wastewater from our plants continues to meet the standards of the Water Pollution Control Law and agreements with local authorities.
Although our total nitrogen levels in wastewater have improved compared with levels a few years ago, they slightly increased following a rise in production at the Kawasaki Plant of products such as NBR (acrylonitrile and butadiene rubber), which are associated with a high output of wastewater by-products. We continue to work on further improvements and tighter management.
