Effective Use of Water Resources
Activities for using water carefully and returning pure water are SBF’s mission based on our philosophy Mizu to Ikiru (living with water).
In April 2010, construction was completed for the Minami Alps-Hakushu Water Plant of Suntory Products Limited. The plant achieves maximum efficiency for use of limited water resources by implementing cascading (downcycling), which is an extremely advanced method of circulation and reuse. The amount of water used to manufacture 1-kiloliter of products is among the lowest in the industry.
Independent criteria which are even stricter than laws, etc., are established at each plant and wastewater is thoroughly controlled. This prevents water pollution.
These treatment facilities have been installed at the Haruna Plant of Suntory Products Limited. The facilities treat wastewater by utilizing the effect of microorganisms (anaerobic microorganisms) which are active when there is no oxygen. This treatment is particularly effective for wastewater that includes plant-based organic matter. Through the treatment, we continue initiatives for returning wastewater from the plant in as natural a state as possible.
Haruna Plant, Suntory Products Limited
Initiatives at Plants
We emphasize energy-saving initiatives for environmentally-friendly production activities.
The Minami Alps-Hakushu Water Plant of Suntory Products Limited is equipped with solar panels with a generating capacity of approximately 490kW, which is the largest capacity(*) in the beverage industry. On sunny days, approximately 20% of power used at the plant is covered by solar power. Compared to purchasing electricity from a power company, this achieves an annual reduction of approx. 205 tons of CO2 emissions. Also, in 2011, we introduced an electric bus used for tours of the Minami Alps-Hakushu Water Plant and the Hakushu Distillery. The electric bus is equipped with a lithium ion battery that uses solar power generated at the plant. It was the first such bus to be operated by a private corporation in Japan.
* For household consumption as of April 30, 2014
Largest scale photovoltaic panels in the beverage industry
New lithium-ion battery equipped electric buses
The Okudaisen Buna no Mori Water Plant of Suntory Products Limited began operation in spring 2008. The plant is located in a region that receives heavy snowfall. The plant has taken advantage of this feature by installing a snow chamber which stores snowfall from the winter and then uses the snow to cover a portion of cooling load in the spring.
Snow room at Okudaisen Bunanomori Water Plant of Suntory Products Ltd.
Almost all plants have completed the switch from heavy oil to city gas or liquid natural gas (LNG). This gas has a low amount of CO2 emissions per unit of heat value. It also contains almost no sulfur.
Liquefied natural gas facility at Okudaisen Bunanomori Water Plant of Suntory Products Ltd.
Based on our corporate philosophy of “To Create Harmony with People and Nature,” in addition to conserving energy and water, we implement greening activities at our plants to ensure that our production facilities can coexist with nature and the community.
Okudaisen Bunanomori Water Plant of Suntory Products Ltd.
We are working to reduce SOx and NOx emissions through measures such as switching to gas fuels which do not contain sulfur and using low-NOx burners. Each of our plants has set independent criteria which are even stricter than the related legal systems and works to manage air pollutants. During the 21-year period from 1990 to 2011, the amount of SOx emitted when manufacturing 1 kiloliter of products was reduced to 1/160. NOx emissions were also reduced by 1/4, from 133 grams to 31 grams.
SOx: Name for sulfur oxides such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and sulfur trioxide (SO3).
NOx: Name for nitrogen oxides such as nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
Both SOx and NOx are air pollutants emitted from boilers and automobiles.
Independent criteria which are even stricter than laws, etc., are established at each plant and wastewater is thoroughly controlled. This prevents water pollution.
We are promoting electronic manifest for the purpose of enhancing compliance of manifest systems and unified management of information of waste for the proper management of waste. We also hold lectures, on-site confirmation and role-playing training for production, sales, cultural sites, headquarters and Group companies such as a waste management seminars and on-site confirmation of waste seminars to increase knowledge and skills on waste management and continue initiatives for proper treatment of waste.
List of Awards Received
October 30, 2017
In fiscal 2017 Greening Excellent Plant, Etc., Commendation, Suntory’s two plants won the
“Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Director's Award” and the “Japan Greenery Research and Development Center Chairman's Award.”
At the fiscal 2017 Greening Excellent Plant, Etc., Commendation, the Haruna Plant (located in Gunma Prefecture) of Suntory Products Limited won the Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Director's Award. Also, the Okudaisen Buna no Mori Water Plant (located in Tottori Prefecture) of Suntory Products Limited won the Japan Greenery Research and Development Center Chairman's Award. These awards are presented to factories, etc., that have actively promoted greening and have made outstanding contributions to improving the environment inside and outside of the factory. The awards ceremony for the former will be held from 2:00 PM on November 6 (Monday) at the Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry (Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture). The ceremony for the latter will be held from 2:00 PM on November 1 (Wednesday) at Ishigaki Memorial Hall (Minato Ward, Tokyo).
As a company supported by nature's gifts, Suntory Beverage & Food Limited recognizes our responsibility for preserving and regenerating nature and reducing environmental impact. With that in mind, we have set Targets toward 2020*1 based on the Environmental Vision toward 2050 established by the Suntory Group for contributing to the creation of a sustainable society, and are conducting various activities aimed at reducing environmental impact. Each plant conducts greening initiatives on its premises in order to promote coexistence with nature and the community. Plants also conduct activities for saving energy, saving water, reducing the weight of containers and packaging, etc.
*1
(1) 42% reduction in water used for the washing and cooling of manufacturing facilities and containers at Suntory plants *2
(2) 25% reduction in CO2 emissions*2 within our value chain as a result of the further weight reduction of containers, the utilization of renewable raw ingredients and bio-based materials, the active introduction of vending machines consuming the lowest amount of power in Japan, etc.
*2
Reduction in terms of intensity based on the assumption of 2007 business domains
The Haruna Plant of Suntory Products Limited has a beloved garden symbolized by an elm tree. Furthermore, the plant strives to efficiently utilize energy via a cogeneration system*.
The Okudaisen Buna no Mori Water Plant of Suntory Products Limited plants trees in harmony with naturally-growing trees (beech) in the surrounding mountains. The plant also stores snowfall from the surrounding area. The snow is used in a snow chamber and thermal storage system air conditioning and cooling of facilities. The plants have designated their water source areas as the Natural Water Sanctuary Akagi, Natural Water Sanctuary Komochiyama, and Natural Water Sanctuary Okudaisen. Through these sanctuaries, the plants work to cultivate water resources and protect biodiversity.
* Cogeneration system. A system that extracts multiple forms of energy (electricity, heat, etc.) from a single fuel source.
Based on the Suntory Group’s shared corporate message of Mizu to Ikiru (living with water), Suntory Beverage & Food Limited holds a variety of activities related to water. Examples include protection and regeneration of the natural environment, reduction of environment impact, and environmental education focusing on water for younger generations.
In January 2017, in response to how the Suntory Group is expanding its corporate activities globally, the Suntory Group Sustainable Water Philosophy was formulated as basic philosophy for all its water related activities. Moving forward, the over 300 Group companies in Japan and abroad will share this philosophy while conducting activities for the preservation of water, the most important resource for the company’s business, in accordance with the individual environment of each region.
October 31, 2014
Haruna Plant, Suntory Products Limited
Japan Greenery Research and Development Center Chairman's Award at the 33rd National Convention for the Promotion of Factory Greening
Held by the Japan Greenery Research and Development Center
The Haruna Plant of Suntory Products Limited won the Japan Greenery Research and Development Center Chairman's Award at the 33rd National Convention for the Promotion of Factory Greening This award is presented to factories, etc., that have actively promoted greening and have made outstanding contributions to improving the environment inside and outside of the factory. The Haruna Plant Limited has a beloved garden symbolized by an elm tree. Furthermore, the plant strives to efficiently utilize energy via a cogeneration system*.
* Cogeneration system. A system that extracts multiple forms of energy (electricity, heat, etc.) from a single fuel source.
June 1, 2009
Okudaisen Buna no Mori Water Plant, Suntory Products Limited was selected for the New Energy Top 100
Jointly held by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and NEDO*
The New Energy Top 100 was established in order to spread the implementation of new energy considering factors such as regional characteristics throughout Japan. From among Japan’s 47 prefectures, the award is presented to innovative and pioneering projects that received high evaluation. This award recognized how the Okudaisen Buna no Mori Water Plant has a snow chamber that stores snowfall from the winter and then uses the snow for cooling machines in the production process, supplementing energy for air conditioning in the summer, etc. Furthermore, the award recognized how the plant achieved an annual reduction of approximately 400 tons for CO2 emissions through measures such as implementing an innovative latest heat storage system for efficient use of waste heat.
* New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization
March 19, 2009
Kanagawa Ayase Plant, Suntory Beverage Products Limited
Awards for Reduction in CO2 Emissions in the Food Industry: Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
Held by the Japan Research Institute, Limited
The Awards for Reduction in CO2 Emission in the Food Industry have been presented by the Japan Research Institute, Limited since 2009 in order to increase awareness toward reducing greenhouse gases and to disseminate information on outstanding cases within the food product industry.
Ever since its initial construction, the Kanagawa Ayase Plant has implemented a variety of energy-saving systems in order to reduce CO2. The plant has produced steady results since it began operation in 2007. The plant was highly recognized for achieving some of the largest reductions in CO2 intensity in the industry in 2008. This was made possible by conducting initiatives to reduce energy loss and achieve optimization throughout the entire plant.
December 8, 2008
Okudaisen Buna no Mori Water Plant, Suntory Tennensui Limited
5th Nikkei Monozukuri Award (2008) Held by Nikkei Inc.
The Nikkei Monozukuri Award recognizes programs and systems implemented at outstanding factories and research centers involved in monozukuri (manufacturing), from among small, medium, and large corporations. Examples include special on-site measures and production systems for achieving production efficiency capable of competing with countries with low labor costs, skill inheritance programs which are implemented over a long-term perspective, and automation enabled by creating data for skilled labor.
The Okudaisen Buna no Mori Water Plant was recognized for comprehensive implementation of advanced environmental protection technology. Examples include sterilizing PET bottles without using chemical solutions, decreasing the weight of PET bottles, using natural energy provided by a snow chamber, and implementing a latest heat storage system that stores heat generated in the production process as energy that can be subsequently used as required.
September 29, 2008
Takasago Plant, Suntory Products Limited
Japan Greenery Research and Development Center Chairman's Award at the 27th National Convention for the Promotion of Factory Greening
Held by the Japan Greenery Research and Development Center
The National Convention for the Promotion of Factory Greening is held by the Japan Greenery Research and Development Center and was started in 1982 in order to recognize factories that have implemented outstanding initiatives for greening. The award is supported by various government agencies including the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (formerly the Ministry of International Trade and Industry).
From the time of its construction, the Takasago Plant has planted camphor trees, the official tree of Hyogo Prefecture, and Japanese pines, the official tree of Takasago City. In fiscal 2004, employees and children from a nearby kindergarten cooperated to plant chrysanthemum japonense, the official flower of Hyogo Prefecture. The flower bed uses fertilizer made from coffee grounds and green tea waste thrown away at Takasago Plant. The project combines caring for seedlings and recycling of waste products.
