Climate Change
Carbon Neutrality Master Plan
Under the Medium-Term Business Plan which began in FY 2021, “Promote a transformation of monozukuri to realize a carbon neutrality and circular economy” is touted as a Group-wide strategy. We have set the target of reducing greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions (Scope 1+2) by 50% (equal to or less than approximately 390,000 tons) by FY 2030, when compared to the values for FY 2019. To achieve this target, we are making efforts under the main themes of (1) Robust energy saving, (2) Technological innovations, and (3) CO2 reductions via energy (fuel) conversion.


Expressing Support for the TCFD Recommendations and CO2 Emission Reduction Initiatives
In August 2020, Zeon Corporation expressed its support for the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
Going forward, based on the TCFD recommendations, we will analyze the risks and opportunities that climate change poses to our business and reflect them in our business strategies to strengthen our business foundation, aiming to realize a sustainable society and improve Zeon’s corporate value.
These initiatives are reflected in the group-wide strategy of “Promote a transformation of monozukuri to realize a carbon neutrality and circular economy” that is outlined in our Medium-Term Business Plan. We have formulated a Carbon Neutrality Master Plan, with 2050 as the target year, and we are disclosing the measures that will be adopted to realize this plan and the progress made in reducing CO2 emissions.
Please refer to the Sustainability Report (P. 17) for disclosure of Zeon’s activities in response to TCFD recommendations
CO2 Emission Reduction Initiatives
Energy conversion in plants in Japan
We have switched to 100% renewable energy sources for the electric power purchased for all four production facilities in Japan (Takaoka, Himi Futagami, Tsuruga and Tokuyama plants). The Takaoka Plant has contracted to purchase carbon-neutral LNG, which produces virtually zero CO2 emissions. The Tokuyama Plant has contracted to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates to reduce CO2 emissions from steam.
The Kawasaki Plant began using carbon-neutral city gas supplied by Tokyo Gas and joined the Carbon Neutral LNG Buyers Alliance.

Adoption of internal carbon pricing (ICP) program
- 1Internal carbon price: 10,000 yen/t-CO2
- 2Scope of application: Capital investment that will lead to an increase or decrease in CO2 emissions
- 3Method of application: The increase or decrease in CO2 emissions accompanying the capital investment project in question will be converted into a monetary amount using the internal carbon price, and this will be taken into account when making the decision as to whether or not to invest in the project.
Selected for NEDO* Green Innovation Fund Projects
- Development of manufacturing technology using carbon recycling for commodity chemicals used in synthetic rubber
This demonstration project aims to establish two advanced technologies to produce butadiene and isoprene, which are key synthetic rubber chemicals, based on the recycling of carbon resources such as used tires and biomass at high yield rates, and to implement those technologies in society in the 2030s. (From a press release dated Feb. 21, 2022)
- Development of photonic chips for higher performance, energy-saving non-volatile memories
Zeon Corporation will utilize its carbon nanotube (CNT) technologies to establish CNT-based nonvolatile memory (NRAM) that can replace volatile memory (DRAM). The advantages are lower power consumption and lower cost with higher capacity. The goal is to commercialize NRAM in the 2030s. (From a press release dated Feb. 25, 2022)
- MATSURI Project
The MATSURI Project is an initiative led by the Chitose Group, which specializes in the large-scale cultivation and commercialization of algae, that aims to build a new algae-based industry through partnerships with numerous companies. The project aims to facilitate zero carbon emissions by 2050, and Zeon is working as a participating company using microalgae as an energy source from sunlight and CO2 as a direct raw material for chemical products such as bioplastics and functional materials, and for the commercial production of fuel, food, and feed. (From a press release dated Mar. 27, 2023)
- *NEDO: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
Selected for the subsidy program for “measures to promote the introduction of non-fossil energy” by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METI
The four companies of Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Tosoh Corporation, Tokuyama Corporation, and Zeon Corporation jointly proposed the “Basic Study on the Establishment of Ammonia Supply Center at the Shunan Industrial Complex” (“Project”) in a subsidy program for “measures to promote the introduction of non-fossil energy,” (Support Project for Establishment of Hydrogen and Fuel Ammonia Supply Center at Industrial Complex), for which the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) called for proposals, and has been adopted for the subsidy.
The Project aims to establish a carbon-free ammonia supply system in the Shunan Industrial Complex with an annual capacity of over 1 million tons by 2030. The companies will study the infrastructure improvement for ammonia supply to customers in the Shunan Industrial Complex, including the use of the storage facilities in the Tokuyama complex of Idemitsu Kosan as a common ammonia supply base. Based on the Project, the companies will promote the construction of Japan's first ammonia supply chain in the Shunan complex through various initiatives such as ammonia co-firing demonstration tests in actual equipment. (From a press release dated Aug. 30, 2022)
Act and Efforts to Reduce CO2 Emissions in Logistics
As a specified consigner under the revised Energy Conservation Act, we are working to rationalize the use of energy together with partner companies involved in product and raw materials transportation. To date, we have studied and implemented improvements in loading efficiency, modal shift to rail and ship transportation, and truck and ship fuel efficiency.
The so-called “2024 problem” will also affect truck transportation, and we will shift from using domestic long-haul truck transportation to rail and coastal ship transportation, aiming to contain future transportation costs and reduce CO2 emissions. An example of this is switching truck transportation to rail transportation while containing cost increases for a portion of raw materials transportation in Japan. At present, as a result of modal shift for half of the shipped volume, we have reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 38%, according to Zeon estimates. We will continue to take steps to shift the total shipping volume.
