Conserving Energy and Preventing Global Warming
THK's Medium- and Long-Term Targets for Carbon Neutrality
The world is facing risks driven by climate change from global warming, and in response, the THK Group has established medium- and long-term targets for lowering its emissions of greenhouse gases. (These targets were approved by the Board of Directors in August 2021.)
The entire THK Group will continue to work together to promote effective policies aimed at achieving a carbon-neutral society.
As necessary, updates on these efforts will be released in an appropriate manner.
Medium-Term Target
By 2030, reduce CO2 emissions to 50% of 2018 levels.
Scope: THK Japan and Group companies in Japan
2018 emissions: 106,514 tons
2030 target emissions: 53,257 tons
Long-Term Target
By 2050, achieve net-zero CO2 emissions.*
Scope: Entire THK Group
*Net-zero emissions: Achieving a balance between man-made CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions and their removal by carbon sinks such as forests. (Source: Ministry of the Environment's website)
Energy Conservation Initiatives
Energy Conservation
As exemplified by sustainability, society and corporations generate common value through corporate activities that minimize the negative impacts and strengthen the positive. With this mindset of working for the benefit of all in addition to our individual interests, THK is promoting various initiatives to achieve the creation of a sustainable society.
The world is facing risks driven by climate change from global warming, and in response, the THK Group has established medium- and long-term targets for lowering its emissions of greenhouse gases. (These targets were approved by the Board of Directors in August 2021.)
To minimize our negative impact, we have established the Carbon Neutrality Promotion Project, which is working to further reduce the CO2 emitted through our business activities. Meanwhile, to strengthen our positive impact, we are expanding our offerings of linear motion and other products and services that contribute to energy conservation. We will accelerate our various initiatives in order to achieve these goals.
Third-Party Verification of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In order to ensure the accuracy of our emissions data on greenhouse gas (GHG) that comes from THK's energy consumption, we requested verification by the Japan Quality Assurance Organization for Scope 11 and Scope 22 GHG emissions calculations from five THK factories (Yamagata, Kofu, Gifu, Mie, and Yamaguchi) for the 2022 fiscal year (January 1 to December 31, 2022).
As a result, we have received third-party verification from the Japan Quality Assurance Organization that the GHG calculations for both scopes are in accordance with ISO 14064-3 calculation rules (at a limited level of assurance for the ISO 14064-3 verification standard).
2022 THK CO., LTD. GHG Emissions Calculation Report
2022 fiscal year: January 1 to December 31, 2022
Scope: Five factories (Yamaguchi, Yamagata, Kofu, Mie, and Gifu)
Target items: CO2 created by Scope 1 and 2 energy consumption
| Scope1 | 9,171 t-CO2 |
|---|---|
| Scope2 | 66,967 t-CO2 |
| Total | 76,138 t-CO2 |
1
Scope1 : Direct greenhouse gas emissions that a business generates itself
2
Scope2 : Indirect emissions that accompany the use of electricity, heat, or steam supplied by other companies
Activities and Results
LED Bulb Replacements
The details and results of our LED upgrades during 2022 are summarized below.
| Facility | Location | Time frame | Type and number of bulbs | Reductions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity used (kWh) | |||||
| Yamagata | Factory 1 | Throughout the year | Fluorescent: 14 | 7 | |
| Factory 2 | Throughout the year | Fluorescent: 74 | 53 | ||
| Kofu | Various locations | May | Mercury: 19 | 6,012 | |
| Mie | Assembly inspection room | August | Modified LED: 307 | 7,000 | |
| Semi-finished stock warehouse, distribution center warehouse, building material warehouse | August | Mercury: 60 Fluorescent: 59 | 8,233 | ||
| Maintenance plant | May | Mercury: 10 Fluorescent: 10 | 1,895 | ||
| Gifu | Factory, test building, warehouse E | December | Fluorescent: 514
Recessed lights: 66 Emergency lights: 120 |
52,379 | |
| Yamaguchi | Technical Plant exterior roof
Distribution center office |
May | Fluorescent: 135 | ||
| Wrap and pack area Yamaguchi Distribution Center | January | Mercury: 101 | |||
| THK NIIGATA | Office building, etc. | October | Fluorescent: 148 | 3,038 | |
| THK INTECHS Sendai | Office building | November to December | Fluorescent: 780 | ||
| THK INTECHS Mishima | Factory 1 Assembly Section
Factory 2 Machine Section |
January to November | Fluorescent: 131 | 15,014 | |
| THK RHYTHM Hamamatsu | Office (Building category: B66) | June | Fluorescent: 18 | 1,247 | |
| THK RHYTHM Inasa | Plant (Center) | September | Fluorescent: 20 | 803 | |
| THK America | Office | Throughout the year | Fluorescent: 200 | ||
| THK Wuxi | Hallways, etc | Throughout the year | Fluorescent: 334 | ||
| THK Changzhou | Parking lot (electric bike area) | May | Fluorescent: 48 | 3.55 | |
| Factory 1 aisles | May | Fluorescent: 9 | 0.43 | ||
| Factory 1 compressor | May | Fluorescent: 12 | 0.58 | ||
| Factory 1 HVAC room | May | Fluorescent: 12 | 0.58 | ||
| Factory 1 component warehouse | May | Fluorescent: 60 | 2.88 | ||
| TRA CZECH | Material warehouse | May | Fluorescent: 12 | 5 | |
| Quality Assurance | May | Fluorescent: 30 | 3 | ||
| Shipping area | June | Fluorescent: 10 | 5 | ||
| North hall | September | Fluorescent: 68 | 8 | ||
| St. Catharines | Parking lot | Throughout the year | Fluorescent: 36 | ||
| TRA Germany | Shipping area | February | Fluorescent: 116 | 14 | |
Efforts at Each Production Facility
Yamagata Plant
Hot Water Boiler
In November, the hot water boiler fueled by heavy oil used in the heat source process for air conditioning and heating at Factory 2 was replaced with an LPG type. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 430.4 tons per year (the equivalent of about 140.4 kL of crude oil).
Kofu Plant
Compressor Upgrade
Aging compressors in Factories 3 and 4 were updated in August. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 21 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 13 kL of crude oil.
Updated Forklifts
Three forklifts that were used in the plant that ran on gasoline and diesel fuel were changed to battery-powered types in January. As a result, in addition to changing all of the forklifts used within the plant to battery-powered types, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 3 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 1 kL of crude oil.
Mie Plant
Compressor Upgrade
The aging compressors in Grinding Factory 3 were upgraded in November. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 0.17 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 0.11 kL of crude oil.
Yamaguchi Plant
Compressor Upgrade
The aging compressors at Factory 3 were upgraded in August. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 32 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 15 kL of crude oil.
Upgraded Boiler
In October, the bunker A fuel oil type boiler used at the training center was changed to a type that uses LPG. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 26 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 36 kL of crude oil.
Effective Utilization of Electric Vehicle
In June, the vehicle used for transportation between Factory 1 and the Technical Plant was changed from a gasoline vehicle to an electric vehicle. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 18 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 25 kL of crude oil.
Effective Utilization of Compressor Exhaust Heat
HVAC power consumption was reduced by installing dampers in the exhaust ducts to discharge the heat generated during compressed air production by two compressors used in the VR/VRG production process at Factory 8 during the summer and to return the heat to the plant during the winter. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 6 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 8 kL of crude oil.
THK NIIGATA Plant
Cooling Liquid Temperature Change
To reduce power consumption in the thermostatic chamber on the first floor of Factory 3, the cooling liquid temperature setting of the water-cooled chiller HVAC unit was changed from 9°C to 11°C in February, when there is less difference in cold water inlet/outlet temperature. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 2 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 1 kL of crude oil.
Upgraded Ceiling-Mounted Package Air Conditioners
Aging air conditioners in the washing room of Factory 3 and the anti-carburizing room in Factory 1 were replaced in May and September, respectively. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 1 ton per year, or the equivalent of about 0.3 kL of crude oil.
Roof Repairs
Repairs were made to the aging roof of the Production Engineering Section workshop at Factory 1 and to prevent condensation during the winter months. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 2 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 1 kL of crude oil.
THK RHYTHM Hamamatsu Plant
Revision of Main Filter Replacement Frequency
In May, the replacement frequency of the main filter for the compressor was changed from once every three years to once every two years, reducing loss from drops in pressure. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 10 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 6 kL of crude oil.
Upgraded Air Conditioners
The air conditioners in the plant that were using old CFC refrigerant (R22) were updated to the latest models in June. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 2 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 1 kL of crude oil.
Revision of Filter Cleaning Frequency
In May, the cleaning frequency of the intake filter used in the compressors was revised from once every six months to once every two months, reducing the load put on the system. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 7 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 4 kL of crude oil.
THK RHYTHM Kyushu Plant
Process Revision
The process for the aluminum link line was revised in February. The washing and drying equipment was removed, and an automatic air blow machine was installed in order to reduce labor (time spent on manual processing and number of steps). As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 16 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 9.7 kL of crude oil.
THK Wuxi Plant
Addition of Mist Collector Function
From September to December, an inverter function was added to the mist collectors for 34 different grinders and machining centers, and the required air volume for the exhaust system pressure balance was set. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 84 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 32 kL of crude oil. There are also plans in place to add the same functions to the remaining machines.
THK Changzhou Plant
Electric Forklifts
Two forklifts used in the component warehouse were changed to electric types in August. As a result, fuel usage was reduced by about 2,400 L per year, or the equivalent of about 6 tons of CO2 emissions.
Utilization of Electric Vehicles
One electric vehicle was put into use as a company vehicle in June. As a result, annual CO2 emissions were reduced by 1 ton.
Installation of Charging Equipment with Timers
In June, charging equipment was installed in the parking lot (electric bike area) and forklift switchboards that recharges batteries based on the time, with the aim of reducing the loss of electrical energy and the risk of fire. As a result, energy usage was reduced by about 122,859 kWh per year, reducing annual CO2 emissions by about 98 tons.
Solar Power Generation
Solar power panels were installed on the roof of Factory 2 and have been utilized since June. The resulting annual power generation is approximately 1,557,268 kWh, reducing CO2 emissions by about 1,243 tons per year.
TRA Czech
Effective Utilization of Compressor Exhaust Heat
Exhaust heat from the factory's compressors was utilized for the heating system. As a result, CO2 emissions were reduced by about 142 tons per year, or the equivalent of about 81 kL of crude oil.
TRA St. Catharines
Ontario Industrial Energy Efficiency Program
The Ontario Industrial Energy Efficiency Program has the objective of generating 330 GWh of energy savings and a reduction of 37.6 MW of peak demand in Ontario by 2026.
In the summer of 2022, THK St. Catharines participated in the peak demand portion of the program, successfully cutting back electricity use for two hours on four of the five peak days in the province.
Assisting the province in preventing peak demand means that natural gas power plants do not have to be put online to handle the air conditioning required during the heat of the summer. The savings for the province are passed on to the industrial participants.