Initiatives for a Recycling-Oriented Society
Approach and policy toward a recycling-oriented society
In a society of mass production, mass consumption, and mass disposal, resources necessary for the production of all things are being depleted, and environmental destruction due to waste continues unabated. To break free from such a social structure, our Group will continue to make various efforts to reduce resource consumption through efficient and recycling use of limited resources and contribute to the formation of a recycling-oriented society that enhances the sustainability of society.
Initiatives for Waste Reduction
The manufacturing process of our Group generates waste materials such as waste paste, waste liquid, products that are not suitable for sale, and scraps cut off when shipping final products. We are working to increase efficiency in the use of raw materials and supplies by optimizing production plans, while strengthening monitoring of the manufacturing process to minimize the generation of nonconforming products for sale.
We had set a target of maintaining the ratio of products unsuitable for sale and returned products to finished production volume at 3% or less, and were able to reduce this ratio to the 1% range in FY2023 and FY2024. This was due to the establishment, from FY2023, of an initiative to grind products unsuitable for sale that had previously been disposed of and reuse them for applications such as truck bed sheets.
From FY2025 onward, we have set a more ambitious target of reducing the ratio of plastic waste volume, including offcuts generated during the manufacturing process, to total processing volume to 10% or less by FY2030. We are also considering excluding plastic waste from the numerator when it can be confirmed that such waste has been recycled.
| FY2023 | FY2024 | FY2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waste rate | 14.9% | 11.8% | 12.4% |
Waste disposal
Waste generated is disposed of by contractors selected for each type of waste based on the criteria ensuring that waste will be properly disposed of so as not to adversely affect the surrounding environment and that all relevant laws and regulations will be strictly observed. Contracts with waste disposal contractors are reviewed as necessary to ensure more appropriate and efficient waste disposal.
“Volar Bio,” a product that utilizes plant-derived raw materials
In 2019, our Group launched Volar Bio, the first product to use plant-derived raw materials. Volar Bio has a unique structure consisting of multiple layers made from renewable plant-derived raw materials, embodying our commitment to reduce our dependence on limited resources. Polycarbonate polyurethane resin uses polyols synthesized from corn as one part of the resin material, and twill base fabric uses wood pulp as one part of the fiber. In contrast to fossil fuel-based ethanol, which emits greenhouse gases, corn-based ethanol actively removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Volar Bio was developed with functionality and sustainability in mind and has been certified by the BioPreferred Program as a product containing 29% bio-based materials. The BioPreferred Program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote the development of biomass products. It provides consumers with useful information on bio-based products, and operates a certification and labeling system for private companies.
Volar Bio was also awarded the 2020 PETA Vegan Homeware Award for being stylish and cruelty-free.
Development of products with recycled, renewable, and/or biobased materials.
In response to growing market demand for low-carbon products and to mitigate the risk of declining sales of existing products, we set an initial target to ensure that, by FY2025, all non-custom catalog products manufactured by Daiichi Kasei Co., Ltd. contain at least 50wt% recycled, renewable, and/or biobased materials. This target was achieved in FY2023, two years ahead of schedule.
As the next-stage target, by FY2030, all non-custom catalog products sold by the Ultrafabrics Group will contain at least 50wt% recycled, renewable, and/or biobased materials. The categories of recycled, renewable, and/or biobased materials are separately defined in the Ultrafabrics Materials Sourcing Standard for Circular Design. We are also engaging in dialogue with customers to transition customer-specified materials to recycled, renewable, and/or biobased materials, where possible.
Reuse and Recycle Platform Brand “REDOW”
We have launched the reuse and recycling platform “REDOW,” aimed at utilizing materials that are discarded due to minor imperfections or cut loss, making them unsuitable for sale.
We not only produce and sell bags, cushions, and other items using these materials, but also collaborate with companies that share our commitment to reducing waste, jointly developing upcycled products.
