Approach to Sustainability by the Gunma Complex
Overview of Plants of the Gunma Complex
Annaka City is located in the western part of Gunma Prefecture and is surrounded by an environment rich in nature. It is continuously developing as a research and production base for state-of-the-art silicon chemistry and plays a role as the main production hub for the products of Shin-Etsu Silicone. In 1996, the Gunma Complex was the first among major domestic chemical companies to acquire International Standard ISO 14001 certification concerning the environmental management system. Since then, it has positively approached sustainability activities and has steadily obtained good results.
Each plant in the Gunma Complex mainly performs the following sustainability activities to realize a reduction in the environmental load:
The Gunma Complex uses electricity and natural gas with low emissions of greenhouse gases as energy sources to promote efficient utilization. Although energy consumption in this Complex rises as the production of silicone products increases, it approaches the promotion of energy savings (reduction of average annual rate of 1% in original units) and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (reduction of 45% in comparison with 1990 by 2025 in original units) by introducing a cogeneration system and renewable energy and by implementing measures to save energy in the manufacturing processes.
* Targets of approach of the company are shown in parentheses ( ).
Trend of original unit index of production amount in 1990 for greenhouse gas emissions
Both electric power and steam are generated from the cogeneration system using natural gas as fuel to supply the plants. The electric power is used for motors and lighting, and the steam is used as the heating sources for manufacturing facilities. In addition, power is generated by steam turbines using the pressure difference of steam. The energy utilization efficiency of the system is higher than that of commercial power supply and steam supply from boilers and thus greatly contributes to energy savings and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
*Cogeneration (heat and power supply) system
System where electric power is generated by engines, turbines, and fuel cells using natural gas and petroleum as fuel, and the heat generated at that time is collected as steam and warm water simultaneously. Energy consumption efficiency is higher than that of a power company.
Electric power is supplied from a power company and cogeneration system to the plant in parallel. The system was constructed so that, even if a problem occurred at the power company, the cogeneration system could supply power independently by disconnecting the line to the power company and is useful for emergency measures and continuous production.
The reactive heat generated in the production processes are collected and effectively used as steam generation and product heating. In addition, part of the steam generated in the cogeneration system produces cold water using absorption type refrigerators, and the cold water is used as the cooling source for the manufacturing facility and the air conditioners in the clean rooms.
Solar panels with a power generation capacity of approx.148 kW were installed at the Goubara plant, and operation started in February 2021. They cover part of the power used at the plant, and the reduction of CO2 emissions of approx.71.5 tons per year is expected from annual power generation of approx.162 MWh.*
*Trial calculation from sunlight irradiation in Gunma Prefecture
Operation aimed at saving energy is promoted in each manufacturing process.
Approaches Contributing to Carbon Neutrality Enhanced by the Silicone Business
By focusing on carbon neutrality as an important task of management, our company invests a total of 20 billion yen in the Gunma Complex as the major production hub of the silicone business to further enhance the approaches to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
See our press release for details.
Approach to Sustainability by the Gunma Complex Vol.02
Go to silicone that contributes to sustainability
