Initiatives for Sustainability

Prolonging the lifespan of products as the greatest form of ecology

If products can be effectively used for a long period of time, investment and expenditure on new energy sources for reuse and recycling can be curtailed. Therefore, enhancing durability can be seen as the most impactful ecological strategy.
Hiraoka conducts research every day, striving to develop products that can retain high strength over an extended period.

Contributing to energy conservation through the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, is essential as a countermeasure against global warming.
By reflecting infrared rays from the sun off the surfaces of structures with Hiraoka’s heat shielding membrane products, the temperature inside is effectively reduced by 5-7℃ in summer. This, in turn, reduces the strain on air conditioners and therefore helps lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Reducing the environmental impact on Earth through resource conservation

To enhance resource productivity in line with government directives, Hiraoka is committed to energy conservation by adopting multiple measures. These include minimising the use of organic solvents, implementing a cogeneration system within the Soka factory, lowering daytime commercial electricity consumption, and repurposing waste heat for boilers and warm water, thereby reducing its environmental impact on Earth.

Making efforts towards recycling for a sustainable future

Chemical recycling - “Do not bury” “Do not burn”

Reducing the landfilling of industrial waste by any means has become a top priority for Hiraoka, and to achieve this, Hiraoka has been implementing chemical recycling. In collaboration with partner companies, waste is processed into secondary materials for steelmaking. These materials are then thermally decomposed in steel mills, repurposed, and effectively utilised in various ways, including, but not limited to soil conditioners, fertilisers, concrete aggregates, raw materials for steel products, and fuel gas for furnaces.

Thermal recycling - “Effectively utilise heat energy”

Waste generated during the factory’s final processes (olefin frayed edge) is repurposed as fuel to contribute to power supply.
Burning waste significantly reduces its volume while limiting fossil fuel consumption, resulting in lower carbon dioxide emissions, and contributing to the fight against global warming.

Material recycling - “Convert used materials into recycled plastic raw materials”

Repurpose PP containers and PE bags from the factory’s processing as recycled plastic raw materials by converting them back into raw materials.
With the goals of optimising resource utilisation and minimising environmental impact, Hiraoka is fully dedicated to realising a sustainable society.

SDGs

Initiatives for SDGs by HIRAOKA & CO., LTD.

	Zero Hunger We will put an end to starvation, ensure the stable food supply, improve the nutritional condition, and promote the sustainable agriculture. We support the dissemination of green houses to globally improve the agricultural productivity by developing membrane matrix materials exclusively used for greenhouses and delivering them to the world-famous tent manufacturers.
	Good Health and Well-being We will ensure the healthy lives of all people and all ages and promote their well-being. We work to grasp and decrease the consumption of chemical substances. We work to curtail VOC emissions, including preventing the volatilization of fuel oil, solvents, paints, etc. We control the chemical substances under the chemical substance safety datasheet to communicate information on their safety. We make efforts under the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register. We employ a process and city gas fuels to suppress air pollution. We monitor and measure soot and smoke, and regularly inspect the exhaust treatment device for the proper control. We work on the prevention of noises, vibrations, and odors.
	Gender Equality We try to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. We conduct inhouse training for employees to prevent the infringement of human rights such as sexual harassment and power harassment. We put in place a working environment considering pregnancy, childbirth, child-rearing, caring, nursing, and other health-related conditions of our employees or their families.
	Clean Water and Sanitation We ensure access to water and sanitation under sustainable management for all people. We adopt the processes and devices which generate less water pollution. We properly install and inspect the wastewater treatment equipment, as well as monitor and measure drainages, etc. on a regular basis under appropriate control.
	Affordable and Clean Energy We will ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all people. We grasp and report energy consumption to reduce it. Proper control is given to air conditioners, including regular cleaning or replacement of filters. Lightning equipment is being replaced with energy-saving types such as LED fluorescent lights. We improve energy efficiency by introducing the gas-cogeneration system to smooth the electricity between day and night.
	Decent Work and Economic Growth Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all We create a safe and secure work environment that protects the right to work for all people, including those in developing countries.
	Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure We try to build a robust infrastructure and promote the inclusive and sustainable industrialization, as well as enhance technical innovation. We aim to minimize resource consumptions for products with identical functions. We focus on the long life of products. We have established the industry-academia-government collaboration.
	Sustainable Cities and Communities We will make cities and people’s residential places inclusive, safe, strong, and sustainable. We work to reduce the final disposal of industrial wastes and their generation. We strive to grasp and reduce the chemical substance consumption. We work to curtail VOC emissions, including preventing the volatilization of fuel oil, solvents, paints, etc. We control the chemical substances under the chemical substance safety datasheet to communicate information on their safety. We make efforts under the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register. We employ a process and city gas fuels to suppress air pollution. We monitor and measure soot and smoke, and regularly inspect the exhaust treatment device for the proper control. We work on the prevention of noises, vibrations, and odors.
	Responsible Consumption and Production We ensure the form of sustainable consumption and production. We grasp and try to reduce discharged wastes and the final disposal volumes of wastes. To reduce the deficient inventory due to quality deterioration, etc., we make efforts to optimize the inventory quantity. We fully sort wastes by properly arranging waste collection and sorting boxes for paper, metal tubes, glass bottles, plastics, batteries, etc. We minimize the atmospheric emission of solvents by implementing the solvent collection system. We try to reduce wastes as we always work to improve the lifecycle of products.
	Climate Action We will make cities and people’s residential places inclusive, safe, strong, and sustainable. We are involved in the collection and proper treatment of specific chlorofluorocarbons. We work to grasp greenhouse gas emissions and reduce environmental impacts. When purchasing materials, we consider selecting products that do not use hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), perfluorocarbon (PFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SG6), etc. as much as possible. We have commercialized the CoolMax series which has a thermal insulation effect, thus contributing to climate change measures. We try to make plans and preparations to restore and continue business once we suffer disaster.
	Life Below Water We will conserve the ocean and the marine resources for the sustainable development and take advantage of them in a sustainable manner. We provide atoxic tarpaulins for cultivation of fish and shellfish. We provide membrane matrix materials to be used in aquaculture.
	Partnerships For The Goals Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. Not only have we been reusing the previously discarded production scraps by partnering with business operators specialising in this aspect, but we have also been making an effort through collaboration across different industries to upcycle by transforming the production scraps into new products with reinterpreted values, and supporting environmental education for local children through public-private partnerships.

Sustainability