Sustainability

Environmental Initiatives

At Energy Support, we reduce our CO2 emissions and electricity consumption through resource and energy conservation practices, resulting in a recycling rate of over 98%. Under our ISO 14001 certified management system, the Company has implemented actionable measures such as LED conversion and installing gas recovery equipment, and is constantly searching for new ways to reduce our environmental impact.

Environmental Policy

Reducing Environmental Impact

Electricity Usage

Graph of electricity usage. 2,766 MWh in FY2020, 2,773 MWh in FY2021, 2,671 MWh in FY2022, 2,589 MWh in FY2023, and 2,499 MWh in FY2024.

The Energy and Resource Conservation Committee is implementing a power saving initiative to switch from fluorescent to LED lighting. Since 2021, monthly electricity usage has shown steady declines, and tangible effects are already being felt within the Company.
Additionally, each department is working to cultivate energy-saving awareness through everyday efforts such as improving air conditioning efficiency, enforcing strict temperature management, and turning off lights during breaks.

Chemical Substance Usage

Graph of chemical substance usage. Lead and lead compound usage was: 13.17t in FY2020, 17.31t in FY2021, 12.98t in FY2022, 11.54t in FY2023, and 8.65t in FY2024. Antimony and antimony compound usage was: 0.68t in FY2020, 0.91t in FY2021, 0.68t in FY2022, 0.61t in FY2023, 0.46t in FY2024. Combined usage was: 13.85t in FY2020, 18.22t in 2021, 13.66t in FY2022, 12.15t in FY2023, and 9.11t in FY2024.

In order to reduce hazardous substances in our products to better protect both human health and ecosystems, we are implementing substitution plans for target chemical substances.
Additionally, we prioritize sourcing more environmentally conscious materials and components, thereby promoting environmental impact reduction across our entire supply chain.

Water Usage

Graph of water usage. Municipal water usage was: 11,534m3 in FY2020, 12,556m3 in FY2021, 12,729m3 in FY2022, 8,714m3 in FY2023, and 7,582m3 in FY2024. Groundwater usage was: 35,640m3 in FY2020, 36,485m3 in FY2021, 35,467m3 in FY2022, 38,897m3 in FY2023, and 35,959m3 in FY2024. Total water usage was: 47,174m3 in FY2020, 49,041m3 in FY2021, 48,196m3 in FY2022, 47,611m3 in FY2023, and 43,541m3 in FY2024.

Energy Support uses groundwater for some production processes and is constantly searching for ways to reduce the amount we use.

Wastewater Volume (Including rainwater)

Graph of wastewater volume (including rainwater). 53,638m3 in FY2020, 41,800m3 in FY2021, 43,568m3 in FY2022, 53,503m3 in FY2023, and 49,580m3 in FY2024.

By implementing appropriate wastewater management systems, we strive to reduce the negative impact on nearby rivers and preserve water quality.

CO2 Emissions (energy-related)

Graph of energy-related CO2 emissions. Purchased electricity emissions were: 1,162t-CO2 in FY2020, 1,181t-CO2 in FY2021, 1,036t-CO2 in FY2022, 1,004t-CO2 in FY2023, and 1,052t-CO2 in FY2024. Emissions from municipal gas were: 430t-CO2 in FY2020, 401t-CO2 in FY2021, 195t-CO2 in FY2022, 169t-CO2 in FY2023, and 179t-CO2 in FY2024. Total emissions were: 1,592t-CO2 in FY2020, 1,583t-CO2 in FY2021, 1,232t-CO2 in FY2022, 1,173t-CO2 in FY2023, and 1,231t-CO2 in FY2024.

Since fluctuations in Energy Support's CO2 emissions are primarily driven by the amount of electricity consumed during production, our technical and production departments are collaborating to constantly find new ways to increase efficiency and reduce emissions.

*CO2 emissions from LPG for FY2020–FY2024 are zero and therefore not shown in the graph.
*CO2 emissions from diesel fuel for FY2024 are zero and therefore not shown in the graph.

Airborne Pollutants (Nitrogen Oxides, NO2)

Graph of air pollutants (nitrogen oxides, NO2). 28–41ppm in FY2020, 32–43ppm in FY2021, 31–56ppm in FY2022, 44–65ppm in FY2023, and 32–34ppm in FY2024

At Energy Support factories, we enforce strict protocols and oversight to prevent air pollution from soot, smoke, and exhaust gases generated by boilers.
Furthermore, we proactively conduct regular equipment inspections, maintenance, and soot and smoke emission measurements to maintain a management system that minimizes emissions.

Waste

Graph of waste volumes. Total waste generated was: 133t in FY2020, 229t in FY2021, 136t in FY2022, 129t in FY2023, and 170t in FY2024. Externally disposed waste was: 4t in FY2020, 3t in FY2021, 2t in FY 2022, 2t in FY2023, and 1t in FY2024.

Under the motto, "If it's sorted, it's not trash," the Waste Management Committee is spearheading efforts to promote thorough waste sorting, collection, and recycling.
In FY2019, the volume of externally disposed waste increased by approximately 15 tons due to a subsidiary merger. In FY2021, our total generated waste increased due to internal reorganization. Moving forward, we will continue to search for ways to reduce waste while identifying the root causes.

Environmental Management System

The Company's environmental protection policies and initiatives are reviewed and decided by the Environmental Management Committee, chaired by the Environmental Management Officer (a director), and by management meetings as necessary.
We value the international standard ISO 14001 for environmental management systems as an effective tool, therefore, we have obtained certification and regularly conduct internal and external audits.
In addition, we also conduct training and awareness programs aimed at implementing our environmental policies through opportunities such as new employee training and departmental education programs.

This is the environmental management system. The Environmental Management Officer, Environmental Management Committee, and Headquarters report to the President, and the Issue-specific sub-committee is positioned under the Environmental Management Committee. The Issue-specific sub-committee consists of the following four committees: the Environmental Production Committee, which works to reduce waste and byproducts from production that impact the environment; the Environmental Design Committee, which focuses on environmentally conscious design, including phasing out hazardous substances and designing products for easy separation; the Waste Management Committee, which handles waste reduction through proper byproduct management and improved recycling rates; and the Energy and Resource Conservation Committee, which promotes the saving and efficient use of energy and resources such as electricity.

Environmental Protection Initiatives

ISO 14001 and Environmental Audits

Having recognized the effectiveness of the international environmental management system standard ISO 14001 as a tool for environmental conservation, Energy Support has obtained certification and is now in its 26th year (as of October 2025) of environmental protection efforts. We understand that addressing environmental issues is a shared challenge for all humanity and an essential requirement for the Company's long-term growth and survival, therefore we proactively promote initiatives that tackle such issues. In addition to regular internal environmental audits that provide opportunities for the continuous improvement of our environmental management system, we also have regular audits conducted by external certification bodies. Our 17th surveillance audit was conducted in May 2025, and confirmed that the environmental management system adopted by us and our affiliate companies is fully compliant.

Audit general meeting
Audit general meeting
Organization-level audit
Organization-level audit
Surveillance audit
Surveillance audit

Education and Awareness

At Energy Support, we incorporate environmental fundamentals training into our new employee training curriculum and conduct ongoing employee education. Furthermore, at the start of each fiscal year, we develop training plans tailored to employees' job functions and then each department uses these plans to implement its own environmental education programs, such as self-awareness training, environmental protection personnel training, and emergency drills, to maintain competency.
Furthermore, as part of our day-to-day environmental awareness activities, the Company clarifies individual roles within its environmental policy and EMS (Environmental Management System), displays these roles on EMS cards, and has them carried around to promote company-wide implementation.

Drills to prevent external wastewater leaks
Drills to prevent external wastewater leaks
Waste sorting
Waste sorting
Cool Biz promotion
Cool Biz promotion

Environmental Activities and FY2024 Results

Managing Organization Initiative Objectives FY2024 Results
Environmental Production Committee [Management of CO2 emissions from boiler operations] Monitoring of municipal gas usage for steam boilers Monitor monthly municipal gas usage Conducted monthly monitoring and measurement of municipal gas usage
(No abnormalities)
[Management of water usage in zirconia sensor production]
Monitoring of cooling water usage in cell firing kilns		 Monitor monthly water usage Conducted monthly monitoring and measurement of water usage
(No abnormalities)
Environmental Design Committee [Compliance with environmental materials regulations]
Compliance verification complete		 Management tool for chemical substances in products Development of COLMINA database Environment tree set up for each additional product type
Confirm consistency between materials checklists and COLMINA database Confirmed consistency of 12 main product types
COLMINA operational trials Improvement of identified issues
[Compliance with Industrial Safety and Health Act regarding appropriate use of adhesives and repair coatings]
Switch to alternatives and phase out repair coatings		 Promote replacement or discontinuation of adhesives and repair coatings used in manufacturing processes not covered by localized exhaust systems Implemented replacement and discontinuation of repair coatings
Waste Management Committee [Improve recycling rates]
Reduce unused waste		 Complete review and proposal Conducted studies on weights, quantities, and disposal costs
Completed proposal to reduce unused waste (cement, adhesives, etc.)
[Improve recycling rates]
Efficient utilization of unneeded materials		 Materials efficiently utilized: 1.0t Materials efficiently utilized: 1.18 tons (scrap iron: 0.69 tons, waste plastic: 0.49 tons)
[Improve recycling rates]
Eliminate errors in waste sorting		 0 complaints from collection companies
Monthly distribution of environmental information		 0 complaints from collection companies
Monthly data released by the 15th of following month
Energy and Resource Conservation Committee [Promote energy conservation]
Establish sustainable energy conservation frameworks		 Monthly electricity usage tracking and reporting
Improve accuracy of departmental electricity usage data		 Monthly electricity usage data posted on internal bulletin boards
Electricity meters installed (new: 8 locations, replacement: 1 location) 100% complete
Promote energy conservation
Reduce monthly electricity usage by 2.5MWh		 Monthly electricity usage reduced by 2.72MWh
Look into energy generation Gathered information on energy generation (renewable energy adoption and solar power installation)
Environmental Management Committee [CO2 emissions management] CO2 emissions monitoring CO2 emissions monitoring Calculated CO2 emissions from electricity, municipal gas, LPG, and diesel fuel used in production
[Fluorocarbon management] Fluorocarbon leak prevention Inspection and maintenance of fluorocarbon equipment
Appropriate disposal of fluorocarbon equipment		 Implemented simplified quarterly inspections (legal compliance)
Arranged appropriate disposal through fluorocarbon recovery (received disposal certificates)
[Promote greening]
Local greening initiatives		 Maintain 11.4% green coverage Maintained 11.4% green coverage
[Promote biological diversity and conservation]
Continue individual action declarations		 Company-wide implementation New employee training My Action Declaration
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1, Aza Kamikobari, Inuyama, Aichi 484-8505, Japan

Energy Support Corporation is a member of the NGK Group.

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