Sustainable factory

Because we acknowledge the environmental impact of production process, we aim to be more efficient while lessening it

Given that we acknowledge the environmental impact of the production process, we aim to be more efficient while lessening it at the same time
Back in 1998, SMC Corporation began to make an organisational effort in implementing environmentally friendly and energy-saving measures in our factories.

Addressing scope 1 & 2

SMC is promoting various initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by our own production activities.
We recently completed the compilation of data covering the entire Group*² on Scope 1 and Scope 2*¹ emissions
based on the “GHG Protocol” international standard.
As we expect the scale of our sales and production to increase, we have built many specific policies and formulated medium- to long-term targets*³ to reduce our overall levels of GHG emissions.

*¹ Scope 1: CO₂ emissions produced by the Company's own fuel consumption.
Scope 2: CO₂ emissions produced through the consumption of energy supplied by other companies.
*² The 34 locations, which include sales locations, mass production locations, and major distribution centres, make up more than 95% of consolidated
external net sales.
*³ Reduction targets to meet the demands of SBTʼs 1.5°C scenario with FY2021 as the base year.

SMC Groupʼs GHG emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2)

TCFD commitment

In June 2022, SMC expressed our commitment to the TCFD. Climate change presents financial risk to the global economy.
Financial markets need clear, comprehensive, high-quality information on the impacts of climate change. This includes the risks and opportunities presented by rising temperatures, climate-related policy, and emerging technologies in our changing world.

The Financial Stability Board created the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) to improve and increase reporting of climate-related financial information.(https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/)

Handling chemical substances with care

We strive to eliminate the use of CFCs (chlorofluorocarbon) by switching to alternatives with lower GWP (Global Warming Potential) values.
We are also working in reducing the overall use of chemical substances through the prevention of evaporation, prevention of removal, and reuse.

1% yearly reduction in energy consumption is our target

As a part of the SMC Corporation’s adherence to the Japanese Act on Rationalising Energy Usage, we commit to a yearly reduction of 1% in our energy consumption. This affects our 6 Japanese production centres, as well as the Japanese Technical Centre.

Reducing – Reusing – Recycling industrial waste

At SMC we practise strict waste sorting and promote the 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
We aim to reduce our waste disposal costs by transforming waste into valuable resources.

Monitoring environmental burdens

We keep track of the environmental burdens generated through the consumption of resources and energy during the design, development and manufacturing of our products.

*1: CO₂ from production activities is the amount of CO₂ emitted from use of energy
*2: Recycle refers to the amount that is discharged as material of value and reused and/or recycled as materials and thermal energy

We always comply with environmental regulations

Following the EU Waste Legislation on PCBs, the operators who take custody of electrical equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) must properly dispose of it by March 31, 2027.
SMC held five items of equipment containing low levels of PCB and seven items of equipment containing high levels of PCB. However, in FY 2018, SMC correctly disposed of all items of equipment containing PCB.
We care about ROHS Directive

What gets measured, gets managed

Based on our own circumstances, all SMC factories are equipped with SMC’s flow switches to enable early detection of air leaks.
Other measures towards energy efficiency include the use of solutions that automatically shut off the air source during plant downtime, which reduces the use of purge air* by 30% (compared to our conventional operation).
* The air used to discharge the remaining air from air pipes when a plant starts operation