Environmental pollution
Basic approach to preventing environmental pollution
The Group has identified “Resources and Environment” as one of our materialities. In the paint manufacturing process, we not only comply with all relevant laws and regulations, but also proactively implement initiatives aimed at preventing pollution.
Nippon Paint Group companies have long promoted initiatives to prevent environmental pollution, recognizing that pollution prevention is a foundation for sustainable business development and corporate management. In response to recent changes in society and the expectations and requirements of stakeholders, Nippon Paint Group is promoting initiatives on a global scale. In 2021, the Global Working Team, currently the Sustainability Team, under the ESG Committee at that time established a global policy on the prevention of environmental pollution in order to share its objectives with all employees. Based on this policy, the Group will strive to prevent air, soil, and water pollution.
We care for the environment to avoid polluting the air, soil, and water*.
* Refers to oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, etc.
In 2023, we formulated a new group policy regarding “Resources and Environment,” a materiality theme. Based on this policy, we will continue striving to prevent air, soil, and water pollution.
Initiatives for preventing environmental pollution
The Group promotes initiatives to prevent environmental pollution as a foundation of business operations, guided by global environmental and safety policies and local regulatory requirements. Efforts focus on preventing pollution of air, soil, and water through improved process controls, monitoring, and compliance management across operations.
At NIPSEA Group, initiatives to prevent environmental pollution include continued optimization of product formulations toward water-based and solvent-free products to reduce VOC emissions. In parallel, the Group has invested in treatment facilities and monitoring systems to improve management of unavoidable emissions and effluents. NIPSEA has also strengthened wastewater management and pollutant monitoring, supported by enhanced information management systems that improve visibility of environmental performance and compliance.
DuluxGroup continues to focus on process optimization, improved containment, and treatment controls at manufacturing sites to prevent air and water pollution. Ongoing improvements in solvent handling, storage, and recovery systems reduce the risk of emissions to air and contamination of soil or water.
Japan Group operates under an integrated environmental management framework, with controls in place to prevent pollution across air, water, and soil. Efforts include monitoring of regulated substances, compliance with discharge standards, and continual improvement of wastewater treatment and air-emissions controls.
Dunn-Edwards focuses on compliance-driven pollution prevention, including controls for air emissions and proper handling and disposal of regulated materials at manufacturing and distribution sites.
AOC applies site-level controls to manage emissions and discharges in line with regulatory requirements, with continued focus on improving waste and wastewater management practices following recent integration into the Group.
For details on air and water pollution, see the ESG Data page.
Targets and results for prevention of environmental pollution
Activities to prevent air, water, and soil pollution are managed through Responsible Care activities. For targets and results, see the Environmental and safety management page.
See here for details on preventive measures against leakage and outflow of hazardous substances.
Amount of investment in environmental protection
The Group positions the period of the new Medium-Term Management Plan (FY2021-2023) as a period for establishing the foundation for sustainable growth. It is considered a period to enhance our competitive edge and productivity in order to ensure the sustainable growth of the Group. As capital investment is crucial to the manufacturing industry, we have planned to invest ¥10 billion globally in R&D and environmental protection over the three-year period.
In Japan, as a result of strictly limiting capital investment over a long period of time, our factories have aged, and some sites have been in service for more than 50 years. We are therefore faced with the urgent challenge of addressing an increase in accidents and quality issues at manufacturing sites. Moreover, because it is difficult to address ESG issues with the current aging equipment, we plan to make proactive capital investments in Japan in order to implement measures toward net zero CO2 emissions.