Sustainability | EnvironmentWater Resources Conservation
Our Approach
As a result of such factors as economic development and population increases in developing countries, the use of water, which is a limited resource, is undergoing change, and water crises can be seen as one of the risks exerting an impact on a global scale. At TDK, water is an essential resource in manufacturing activities. Since we are impacted by such events as the exhaustion of water resources and flooding, the proper understanding and management of water risks are important issues for us.
TDK stipulates the TDK Supplier Code of Conduct and requests suppliers to address the management of wastewater and efficient use of water.
In cooperation with local communities and stakeholders, TDK will continue to promote sustainable water use.
From the procurement of raw materials to the disposal of products, TDK strives for operations with little environmental load throughout the entire supply chain. Similarly, we promote the conservation of forestry resources and water resources. In line with The TDK Group Occupational Health/Safety and Environmental Charter, we aim to “Develop and Prosper in Harmony with the Global Environment.” Every single employee will act positively by thinking about the impact of production activities on the environment and the relationship between corporate activities and the environment, endeavoring to conserve an affluent global environment, and constantly paying heed to contributions to preserve the ecosystem.
Furthermore, in consideration of business characteristics, TDK has specified the key SDGs that we will focus on and clarified our policy of solving issues, including water-related problems, through technological development in our main businesses. As a water-related example, we are promoting the development of various sensors in accordance with Goal 12 of the SDGs, which is titled “Responsible consumption and production.” In addition, we are reducing water withdrawal in manufacturing processes.
Governance
We promote water-resource initiatives through a framework that integrates corporate management and environmental management under an Environmental Management System (EMS) with the President and CEO as the highest level of responsibility. Regarding plans for water-resource initiatives and other environmental activities, the state of progress, risks, and so on, reports are delivered to the Board of Directors every half term and deliberated if necessary.
Strategy
In accordance with the TDK Group Occupational Health/Safety and Environmental Charter, we endeavor to understand the essence and values of international rules, national and regional laws and regulations, voluntary standards of industrial organizations, and so on relating to water-resource initiatives, to engage in the following three activities voluntarily and strategically, and thereby to enhance our corporate value:
(1) Development of products and processes that reduce environmental loads
(2) Optimization of risk assessment methods and reinforcement of risk assessment and management
(3) Information disclosure and continuous dialogue
Risks and opportunities
The Sustainability Promotion HQ performs periodic risk assessments and identifies risks for the TDK Group as a whole. If water-resource initiatives are not properly managed, problems will be caused to the earth and society, and it may become difficult to continue business.
By promoting water-resource initiatives, we are also contributing to the creation of a sustainable society including measures to address climate change and biodiversity loss. Through these initiatives, we expect to gain the trust of society and achieve business growth.
Risk Management
After grasping issues regarding water-resource initiatives in the scientific, regulatory, and social fields that are occurring or may occur around the world and, centering on Sustainability Promotion HQ, sorting out the risks and opportunities, we aim to make improvements by addressing important matters in a prioritized manner and continuously rotating the PDCA cycle.
These activities are reported to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors regularly. Water-resource initiatives are administered within Group-wide risk management.
Metrics and Targets
| Fiscal 2024 Goal | Achievements |
|---|---|
| Improve water withdrawal intensity by 1.5% compared with the previous fiscal year | Improved by 5.4% compared with the previous fiscal year |
Evaluations and Future Activities
TDK sets numerical targets for water withdrawal. In fiscal 2024, TDK’s total water withdrawal amounted to 15,179,000 ㎥, which was down 8.8% from the previous fiscal year. In addition, intensity improved by 5.4% compared with the previous fiscal year, so our target was achieved. Since water is not mixed inside TDK products, consumption in manufacturing processes is extremely small and includes evaporation at the time of cleaning.
Regarding water risks at all manufacturing sites of the TDK Group, we conduct investigations in accordance with the TCFD using two global evaluation tools-the WWF Water Risk Filter1 and Aqueduct,2 announced by the World Resources Institute (WRI). This enables us to identify highly water-stressed regions and adopt countermeasures. Of the sites that the survey identified as having high water risk, one site in India had a water withdrawal of 34,000 ㎥ in fiscal 2024 (corresponding to less than 0.5% of the TDK Group's total water withdrawal). We are committed to monitoring, managing, and improving water use throughout the TDK Group to identify opportunities for water efficiency improvements and water risks. We will continue our efforts on local water risks and water usage at our manufacturing sites to ensure efficient water use.
1. The WWF Water Risk Filter was developed by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and DEG, a German finance institution. The tool investigates, evaluates, and enables response to risks involving the water environment. The first version was released in 2012, since when it has been widely used by companies and investors around the world. It has become a leading and highly trusted tool.
2. Since its launch in 2011, the Aqueduct evaluation tool, which has become a global standard relating to water risks, has been providing information on water-related risks, such as flooding, drought, and stress, to companies, governments, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
| Fiscal 2025 Goal |
|---|
| Improve water withdrawal intensity by 1.5% compared with the previous fiscal year |
Initiatives
Initiatives to reduce water use
As one activity toward realization of the TDK Environmental Vision 2035, which is the goal of the entire TDK Group’s environmental activities, we have set targets for the reduction of water withdrawal, and efforts are being made at each site to reduce water withdrawal, improve the efficiency of water use, and recycle water.
For example, at the Kitakami Factory of TDK Electronics Factories Corporation in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, groundwater is being used to produce purified water for production processes. Through ongoing efforts to limit the amount of equipment and adjust the amount of water used without compromising manufacturing quality, the factory strives to reduce water withdrawal.
Furthermore, in the promotion of such initiatives, we also seek to foster an awareness of water conservation among employees through awareness-raising and environmental education programs.
Water-recycling initiatives
The TDK Group’s sites are making efforts to reduce total water withdrawal and improve water withdrawal intensity by adopting aggressive measures, such as the use of recycled and reused water, toward the achievement of our targets for the reduction of water use.
Water-recycling methods differ from factory to factory. As one example, though, the factory sets a target for water reuse, promotes such measures as circulating water in processes, and evaluates the results of estimated in-process water use as water reuse.
Wastewater management
Since the wastewater discharged at sites of the TDK Group contains chemical substances and so on used in processes, they conduct an analysis of the quality of wastewater discharged in processes whenever processes are newly installed, modified, or changed. Based on the results of these analyses, they decide wastewater processing methods depending on the substances contained, establish wastewater processing facilities capable of conducting processing with water quality standards that satisfy central and local government regulations, and thereby release wastewater meeting the required standards.
