Sustainability

Energy Conservation
Using the temperature difference between surface and underground

Hokkaido Sumiden Precision is striving to reduce CO₂ by conserving energy through the use of air conditioning equipment that use renewable geothermal heat.

While Hokkaido’s cool and dry natural environment is optimal for powder metallurgy technology, there are also large temperature differences, with outdoor air temperatures of 30 degrees in summer and -20 degrees in winter.

However, the underground temperature remains constant at 15 degrees throughout the year.

Hokkaido Sumiden Precision uses this constant geothermal heat as a heat source.

Efforts to take in outside air temperature and use a chiller that utilizes geothermal heat to produce cold and hot water for cooling and heating the factory, we have succeeded in saving energy by reducing the amount of electricity for air conditioning by 30%, as compared to conventional methods.

Energy Creation
Power generation using solar panels

In Axis Materials, solar panels with a total panel capacity of 1,000kW have been installed in its factory.

In fiscal year 2023, approximately 68.7MWh/month of electricity will be “created” through solar power generation. This contributes to a CO₂ reduction of approximately 30t-CO₂/ month.

In addition, we are promoting "purchased energy" in which 30% of all purchased electricity, other than solar power, is switched to electricity with a zero CO₂ emission coefficient. Furthermore, the tungsten powder raw materials handled at these plants are refined using hydroelectric power as the main power source.

By using electricity derived from renewable energy sources and raw materials, we are working to save, create, and purchase energy throughout the entire factory, as well as to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Complete Abolition of Harmful Substances

Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corp. has completely abolished materials or processes of all products designated as hazardous heavy metals including lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and cadmium, whose use is restricted by Europe's RoHS/ELV directives.

In addition, such hazardous organic compounds as PBB, PBDE, PFOS, PFOA, trichloroethylene, and dichloromethane are not used in all processes.

Energy Saving

To take measures against global warming, Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corp. has been engaged in reduction of CO₂ emissions by energy saving activities, successfully resulting in a significant reduction of an energy unit.