Preventing Air/Water Pollution and Protecting Water Resources

Preventing pollution of the air and water

In order to help preserve air and water quality, the Nikon Group not only abides by applicable laws and regulations, but also established its own voluntary standards for controlling pollutants.
Specifically, we regularly measure pollutants released into the air and water and inspect equipment such as boilers and wastewater processing systems periodically to ensure safety at each of our facilities.
The Mito Plant and others switched the fuel used in its existing boilers from heavy oil to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in order to reduce CO₂ emissions, resulting in elimination of the release of Sox^* as well as reduction of dust and NOx^* emissions.

*SO_x
Sulfur oxide, one of the air pollutants that cause photochemical smog and acid rain.
*NO_x
Nitrogen oxide, one of the substances that cause air pollution and acid rain.

Protecting water resources

Water Use by Nikon Group Companies in Japan. In the year ended March 31, 3012, water use at Nikon Corporation was 2,126 thousand m3, while that at Nikon Group's manufacturing companies in Japan was 899 thousand m3.

In addition to promoting the reuse of wastewater from production processes, the Nikon Group's manufacturing facilities also strictly control their water usage through water conservation activities.
Furthermore, in order to promote greater use of circulated water,efforts are being made to strengthen monitoring of its usage and to visualize this data.

Breakdown of Water Use by Nikon Group Companies in Japan (in the Year Ended March 31, 2012). Total water use was 3,026 thousand m3. 806 thousand m3 of tap water (26.6% of total use) and 1,320 thousand m3 of well water (43.6%) were used at Nikon Corporation; 50 thousand m3 of tap water (1.6%) and 850 thousand m3 of well water (28.1%) were used at Nikon Group's manufacturing companies in Japan.

Breakdown of Circulated Water at Nikon Group Companies in Japan (in the Year Ended March 31, 2012) The total volume of circulated water was 3,101 thousand m3, which included circulated water from air-conditioning systems (36.7%), circulated water from production processes (31,4%) and others (31.9%).