E :Environment
Contribution to a Decarbonized Society

Energy

KPI Responsible Departments Our position and Targets Review of FY 2023 Activities Introduction of Initiatives Future challenges

KPI

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Item	FY 2022 results	FY 2023 results
Total energy consumption	(Consolidated) 1,837,184MWh * Crude oil equivalent: 464,331 KL	(Consolidated) 1,726,925MWh * Crude oil equivalent: 436,486 KL
Total renewable energy consumption	（Consolidated）41,352MWh	（Consolidated）137,512MWh
Total external energy consumption * Reported as Scope 3 (Other emissions)	60,455,880 MWh	58,726,590 MWh

Responsible Departments

Each business location

Activities are conducted by each business location, and the Global Warming Countermeasures Committee that the Environmental Protection Promotion Department serves as a secretariat for implements company-wide policy discussions and activities.
In 2022, the committee structure was revised and changed to the Carbon Neutrality Promotion Committee.

Our position and Targets

Why is “Energy” a critical issue to be addressed?
Explanation of the reason and background

The Yokohama Rubber Group, which conducts production activities in twelve different countries (Japan, United States, the Philippines, China, Thailand, Russia, Vietnam, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Mexico and Israel) around the world, uses a large volume of energy in the production process. We define energy as one of the most critical issues for us to address since the reduction of energy consumption will accelerate the solution of climate change issues posing a global-scale problem and the effective use of depleting resources while at the same time reducing costs.

Our policy and position relating to energy

The Yokohama Rubber Group states its environmental position in the "Yokohama Rubber Company-wide Environmental Policy", and in accordance with the “Yokohama Rubber Group Action Guidelines”, we work to minimize our environmental impacts. To that end, in addition to developing and adopting environment-friendly technologies from the design and manufacturing stage, we work to use energy in the most sustainable and appropriate manner possible and to reduce energy consumption throughout the value chain while collaborating with people involved in the provision of related products and services.
We will keep trying to use energy most wisely while making efforts to reduce energy use in accordance with international protocols concerning the proper use of energy, the regulations of countries where we operate (laws equivalent to the Act on the Rational Use of Energy, and the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures of Japan), and the policies of related organizations.

Vision and targets

In line with the globally shared goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, the Yokohama Rubber Group is working to reduce total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as an indicator for reducing energy consumption.

Long-term target:
- Achieve net zero CO2 emissions (carbon neutrality) in our activities by 2050
Mid-term target:
- Reduce CO2 emissions from company activities by 40% by 2030 compared to fiscal 2019.
- Encourage suppliers to collaborate with us in line with our targets.

Measures to pursue our vision

We will implement the following measures aimed at promoting the appropriate use and reduction of energy through our overall business activities:

Promote a modal shift in logistics.
Conduct energy management in production
Promote the effective use of energy through system improvements, cost saving improvements, process improvements, the development of management systems, the introduction of production systems, and the introduction of new energy (including renewable energy) in the production process.
Promote energy reduction activities by establishing seven energy-saving subcommittees.
Promote the development and sales of eco-friendly products in order to reduce the amount of energy use resulting from product use.

Review of FY 2023 Activities

In Japan, Yokohama Rubber achieved an 19% reduction in GHG emissions on a non-consolidated basis compared with 2013 levels, as a result of promoting system improvements (development of energy-saving vulcanization system, and utilization of co-generation), cost saving improvements (increased use of LEDs, and improvement of facility operation rate), process improvements (optimization of rubber kneading process), and the introduction of new energy (introduction of solar power generation system).

Overall picture of the environmental burden in Japan

Overall picture of the environmental burden overseas

Introduction of Initiatives

Reduction of energy usage and CO₂emissions in logistics

Target: We are working on the reduction of CO₂ emissions in line with the corporate mission of the Yokohama Rubber Group.
Results: In FY2023, we continued to review transportation routes, reduce warehouse transportation volume, and improve loading efficiency, achieving 2.8% reduction from the previous year with emissions being 13,466t-CO₂.
The unit rate remained nearly flat, increasing by only 0.2% to 43.3 KL/million ton-kilometers.

CO₂ emissions and emissions per unit of output

* Yokohama Rubber on a non-consolidated basis

Energy management

Visualization of energy use
Control of peak power by means of demand control equipment
Heat insulation for plant building roofs
Reduction of boiler fuel by updating the water supply system of boiler facilities to reduce the boiler drainage rate (introduction of a device to automatically control the number of air compressors in operation)

Installation of negatively charged filters in air conditioning units

Installing negatively charged filters in air conditioning units removes statically charged air, thereby optimizing air flow and improving the efficiency of the air conditioning system.

【Air conditioner】

【Implementation of negatively charged filters in air conditioning units】

Steam Trap Diagnostic

・Conducted diagnosis on the steam drain trap to control steam energy loss.

【Steam drain trap (Upper photo: defective trap, lower photo: new trap)】

Valve Management During Non-Operating Periods

・We have implemented air supply valves on equipment, which are closed during non-operating periods to minimize air leakage losses.

【Air valve management during non-operating hours (closed)】

Application of Insulating Paint

・In the finishing press for conveyor belts, insulating paint is applied to the sides of the hot plate to minimize heat dissipation losses.

【Before Applying Insulating Paint】

【After Insulating Paint Application】

Installation of Insulation Material

Installed the detachable heat insulation material at the uninsulated part of the once-through boiler to control heat radiation loss.

Removable heat insulator

The discovery of air and steam leaks, along with the installation of branch pipes and valves in the piping system, has resulted in the cessation of unnecessary steam supply.

・At our domestic factories, we utilize air leak visualization equipment to identify air and steam leaks, thereby mitigating the increase in losses caused by air leakage.
Following an energy efficiency audit conducted by the manufacturer, we implemented modifications to the steam-based unit heater system, including the installation of branch piping and individual valves. These improvements have resulted in a reduction of energy losses by eliminating unnecessary steam supply to non-operating areas.

【Separated the steam system and installed a motor valve】

High-Efficiency Condensing Heat Exchanger for Air Conditioning Refrigerant

By incorporating a high-efficiency condensing heat exchanger into the air conditioner's outdoor unit, we have significantly improved the refrigerant's liquefaction rate. Air conditioners rely on the phase change of the refrigerant between gas and liquid to facilitate heat exchange. When refrigerant condensation occurs in the outdoor unit, any remaining gas reduces the efficiency of heat exchange. By passing the refrigerant through a high-efficiency condensing heat exchanger, we accelerate the condensation process, thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the air conditioner.

【High-efficiency refrigerant liquefaction heat exchangers】

High-efficiency refrigerant liquefaction heat exchangers were additionally installed on air conditioners and coolers to improve their heat-exchange efficiency.

Full Operation of Co-generation Systems

At tire plants using a large volume of energy and steam, it is possible to achieve a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions through the adoption of co-generation systems that supply energy and steam simultaneously. As of 2023, the co-generation system is operating at three domestic plants. As a result of continuous 24-hour operations, 70% of the energy and nearly all of the steam used by these plants are now supplied by the co-generation systems, contributing to the reduction in CO₂ emissions and the reduction of the amount of power purchased from the electric company and power consumption during peak time. This system has also been adopted at our Thai plant.

Mie Plant co-generation system

Mishima Plant co-generation system

Shinshiro Plant co-generation system

Thai Plant co-generation system

Improving the efficiency of motors and pumps for production equipment

The booster pumps of the pressure testing machine were switched to air hydro pumps with intermittent operation control, and the duct fan V-belt was replaced with an energy-saving type, which has led to an effective reduction of power consumption.

【Air hydro pumps】

Conversion of the Hydraulic Unit to Inverter Drive

・By implementing inverter technology in the hydraulic units of our equipment, such as multi-axis automatic lathes, we have achieved significant power savings during standby periods. Inverter control allows for adjustments in pressure, maintaining high pressure during operation and lowering it during standby, leading to reduced energy consumption.

【Hydraulic unit inverter conversion】

Switching to High-Efficiency Motors

We are switching other existing motors to high-efficiency ones.

High-efficiency motor

Improving the efficiency of cooling-water pumps for production equipment

In conjunction with the renewal of the calendar equipment hotbed device, the heat exchange system was changed (from direct mixing to indirect heating) to reduce steam consumption.
In winter, when the water temperature in the cooling-water tank drops, the circulating cooling tower equipment is deactivated to reduce electricity consumption.

Cooling-water pump

Optimizing the chiller tank

Adoption of LED lights

We are replacing ceiling lights, in our domestic and overseas sites, which were previously mercury or fluorescent lights, with LED lights or other high-efficiency lighting products. In addition, the use of human detecting sensor control has been promoted, achieving the highly effective reduction of electricity consumption.

Conversion to motion sensors and LEDs

Mercury lighting → LED lighting

Replacement of lighting

Solar power generation

We are proceeding with the installation of environment-friendly solar power (renewable energy) generation facilities.
Solar power generation was introduced in the plants in India and China (Suzhou) in FY2017, in the plant the Philippines in FY2019, and in the Shinshiro-Minami Plant in FY2023.

Solar power generation (Suzhou, China) installed capacity: 3,000 kw

Solar power generation (Hangzhou, China) installed capacity: 80 kw

Solar power generation (India) installed capacity: 200 kw

Solar power generation (Mie) installed capacity: 500 kw

Solar power generation (Philippines) installed capacity: 4,000 kw

Solar power generation （Shinshiro-Minami）installed capacity：1,040kw

Biogas

Food waste used to go to a landfill at the Tirunelveli Plant in India. In addition to a hygiene-related issue, the generation of methane, whose emission factor is 25 times higher than that of CO₂, used to be a persistent problem. To cope with this, we built a biogas plant and began to process 250kg of food waste per day to generate gas in FY2019. In 2023, LPG gas consumption was reduced by 355kg, resulting in a reduction of 1.07t-CO₂.

Other Energy-Saving Measures

We are also implementing the following energy-saving improvements:

Upgrading equipment to newer, more energy-efficient models, such as transformers.
Utilizing demand control devices to curb peak power consumption.
Optimizing equipment operation by adjusting the number of units in use based on capacity and demand.
Removing or disconnecting unnecessary or idle equipment, piping, and wiring to minimize heat and power consumption.
Monitoring energy usage to identify and eliminate unnecessary energy consumption.
Installing motion sensors to control lighting, automatically turning lights on and off based on occupancy.

Energy-saving monthly activities

Under the slogan of "Let's Conquer Winter with Energy-Saving Actions!" after sharing recognition on the significance of energy saving, that is, "strengthening corporate competitiveness through cost reductions, responding to fossil fuel depletion, reducing impact on the global environment, and fulfilling corporate social responsibility," and after carrying our adequate preparations, the production department, the equipment maintenance department, and administration department made concerted and united efforts and accumulated multiple small effects and results during the "Energy-Saving Month" of February. For example, in an energy-saving diagnosis, the maintenance department conducted inspection on equipment and found steam and air leakage, and repaired the leaks.
As an example of our energy-saving initiatives, our aerospace parts factory has implemented a company-wide patrol program. Supervisors from each department and workplace conduct regular patrols to promote energy conservation.

Education activities during the Energy Saving Month

Leakage inspection and visualization

Leak repair

Energy saving subcommittee

To promote energy efficiency, our domestic factories hold regular "Energy Conservation Subcommittees" led by designated energy conservation specialists. These meetings focus on developing annual energy reduction plans, planning energy-saving equipment investments, and tracking progress. Furthermore, we actively participate in energy-saving seminars hosted by manufacturers and share best practices and initiatives across our facilities, contributing to significant energy savings.

Activities of the Energy Saving Subcommittee

Activities to enhance energy management based on guidance from consultants

We are working on the enhancement of energy management (adoption of a just-in-time system for energy) through various means such as reductions of energy loss in line with production variation (switching equipment on and off).
The bases in Japan and overseas benefit from guidance provided by consultants every year.

Future challenges

We are going to continue to expand the introduction of co-generation systems to achieve the reduction of total energy usage.
Regarding the increase of renewable energy usage ratio, we are going to expand the introduction of solar power generation, etc. and increase the ratio of renewable energy used at our bases.