Conserving Energy and Preventing Global Warming

Solar Power Generated

CO₂ Emissions

THK Japan purchased Matsusaka City Forest Management for the Future J-Credits sold by Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture.
J-Credit is a system in which the Japanese government certifies carbon credits in proportion to the reduction of CO₂ emissions due to installation of energy saving equipment, utilization of renewable energy, or absorption of CO₂ through responsible forest management.
The city of Matsusaka decided to sell the J-Credits that it acquired to local businesses, and as the Mie plant is located in Matsusaka, THK Japan purchased credits equaling 300 tons of CO₂.
These credits account for approximately 5% of the Mie plant’s total 2023 emissions (Scope 1 and 2) and will be used to achieve our GHG reduction goals.

The calculations for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions generated by energy consumption at THK Japan and Japanese Group company production facilities in the 2024 fiscal year (January 1 to December 31, 2024) received third-party verification (limited level of assurance) based on ISO 14064-3 by the Japan Quality Assurance Organization.

Replaced Extra-High Voltage Distribution Substation

The work begun in 2022 to upgrade from an aging extra-high voltage substation was completed in August 2024. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 5.15 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 2.8 kL of crude oil.

Installed Mist Cooling System for an Outdoor Air Conditioning Unit

This system was installed in August to see if cooling the outdoor air conditioning units on the south side of Factory 3 would make heat exchange more efficient. Because CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 0.23 tons per year and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 0.13 kL of crude oil, it was decided to install an additional 12 such systems in 2025.

Purchasing Green Energy

In November 2023, the plant entered into a contract to purchase 20% of the energy it uses as green energy to help reduce CO₂ emissions. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 1000.1 tons, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 485.7 kL of crude oil in 2024.

Automated Control for Air Compressors

All air compressors in the plant were changed to have automatic control. Compressors that don’t need to run over the weekend or at night are shut off with timers to reduce power consumption. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 3.7 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 1.8 kL of crude oil.

Updated to an Electric Forklift

The 3-ton forklift used by the materials section was replaced with an electric one. The four remaining forklifts are to be replaced with electric ones by 2027. As a result of updating this first forklift, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 4.5 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 1.7 kL of crude oil.

Thermal Coating for Roofs

Thermal coating was applied to the roof of Grinding Factory 2 in May and to the roofs of Grinding Factory 1, the office building, and the gatekeeper post in November. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 32.4 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 17.4 kL of crude oil.

Upgraded Heater

One of two carburizing furnace heaters in the quenching process at Heat Treatment Factory 2 was upgraded in April (the other had been replaced in 2023). As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 4.9 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 2.9 kL of crude oil.

Upgraded Air Dryers

Nine aging air dryers for the air compressors around the plant were upgraded in August. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 8.004 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 3.23 kL of crude oil.

Upgraded Chiller

An aging washing machine chiller at the Technical Plant was upgraded in September. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 12.84 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 5.18 kL of crude oil.

Upgraded Air Conditioner Inverter

An air conditioner inverter at Factory 1 that had broken down was replaced in August. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 16.8 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 6.80 kL of crude oil.

Installation of Fluid Agitators

In May, fluid agitators were installed on two package air conditioners used by the wire electrical discharge machining process at Factory 1 to reduce transfer loss, improve thermal conductivity, and lighten the burden on the compressors. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 6.7 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 3.2 kL of crude oil.

Air Conditioner Upgrade

The oil furnace for the Factory 1 assembly process was replaced with an inverter air conditioning unit in June. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 1.72 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 1.32 kL of crude oil.

Upgraded HVAC Equipment

Two aging HVAC units for the second floor of the welfare building were replaced in January. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 2.6 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 1.4 kL of crude oil.

Installed Insulation

In February, insulation panels were installed on Aluminum Melting Furnace 2 at the Heat Treatment Factory to reduce fuel consumption. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 25.5 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 11.1 kL of crude oil.

Installed Heat Exhaust Duct

A heat exhaust duct was added to the dryer for retainer material in August to reduce the load on the air conditioning system. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 43.4 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 20.4 kL of crude oil.

Upgraded Compressors

An aging 75 kW unit in the compressor room was replaced in March. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 20.9 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 9.8 kL of crude oil.

Upgraded Boiler

A small steam boiler used for heating during preprocessing for the cationic electrodeposition coating line was replaced in April due to aging. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 2.0 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 0.9 kL of crude oil.

Upgraded Compressors

Four aging compressors on the first and second floors of the plant were replaced with two updated models in June. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 2.28 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 1.505 kL of crude oil.

Heat Exhaust for Oil Compressors

The semi-centralized equipment for nine grinders was modified with ducts to send exhaust heat from the oil compressors to the outside of the plant during the summer months (June through August). As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 2.0 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 0.9 kL of crude oil.

Insulated Compressor Exhaust Ducts

From May to July, insulation was added to exhaust ducts in the compressor room to control the temperature and reduce the number of irregular shutdowns. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 2.0 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 0.9 kL of crude oil.

Forklift Upgrade

Two gas-powered forklifts were changed to electric types in August. With this upgrade, DALIAN THK has converted all four of its forklifts to electric types. As a result, annual CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 3.5 tons.

Energy Storage Equipment

This facility considered adding on to the first factory's solar power generating system, but after searching for the best solution overall, they implemented an energy storage system instead. Now, the factory can generate all the solar power it needs on sunny days and can store energy at night to make up for what solar power doesn't cover during less ideal weather.

Changed LED Wattage

After determining at the start of the year that some locations were brighter than necessary, 300 LEDs were changed from 18 W to 14 W. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 1.8 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 0.7 kL of crude oil.

Recycling of Resin Dryer Exhaust Heat

Starting in April, some of the exhaust heat from 23 resin dryers was redirected to intake ducts and reused for indoor climate control. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 32.0 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 12.6 kL of crude oil.

Installed Insulated Covers

Insulated covers were installed on the barrels of 47 resin molding machines. These barrels are heated to 270°C, but heat is lost to the surrounding air. With the installation of these covers, the amount of heat lost has been reduced.
As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 27.7 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 7.1 kL of crude oil.

Compressor Upgrade

An aging compressor shared by the LM Guide and Link Ball departments was replaced in July. As a result, CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 32.4 tons per year, and energy consumption decreased by the equivalent of about 11.0 kL of crude oil.

Modal Shifts

We’ve transitioned from shipping by truck to using JR freight for products bound for certain customers. As a result, annual CO₂ emissions were reduced by about 10,200 tons.