Sustainability | EnvironmentApproach to Biodiversity

Our Approach

At TDK, we recognize the importance of biodiversity and aim to avoid or minimize the negative impacts of our business activities on the global environment and ecosystems. Throughout the entire supply chain, from the procurement of raw materials to product disposal, we strive to operate with little environmental load and to conserve forestry resources and water resources. In collaboration with external partners, such as local communities, we also promote ecosystem restoration activities and initiatives to realize a circular economy that does not harm the cycle of nature.
All TDK employees are aware of the impact on the environment from production activities. We consider the relationship between business operations and the environment and strive to protect an affluent global environment. The TDK Environmental Charter, revised in April 2018, expressly provides that employees are to consider contributions to ecosystems and take proactive action at all times.

Guidelines for Action by the Electrical and Electronics Industries concerning Biodiversity Conservation

In March 2015 the Biodiversity Working Group of the four Electrical and Electronic Industry Associations* published the Guidelines for Action by the Electrical and Electronics Industries concerning Biodiversity Conservation (second edition published in August 2018). TDK fully supports this initiative and is implementing the guidelines through our activities aimed at protecting biodiversity.

• *The Japan Electrical Manufacturers' Association (JEMA), Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), Communications and Information Network Association of Japan (CIAJ), and Japan Business Machine and Information System Industries Association (JBMIA)

Initiatives

Consideration of water resources (Global)

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. We monitor and manage regional water risks and the state of water use in production factories and endeavor to reduce water withdrawals in manufacturing processes.
The reduction of water withdrawal is one of the activities in the "TDK Environment, Health and Safety Action 2025," and we have set an annual reduction target of 1.5% improvement in the intensity of water withdrawal compared to the previous fiscal year. In fiscal 2023 TDK’s total water withdrawal amounted to 16,635,000 m3, which was down 2.4% from the previous fiscal year. In addition, intensity improved by 17.8% compared with the previous fiscal year, so our target was achieved.

For more information on our approach to water resources, please see the link below.

Nashik Factory of TDK India Private Limited Plants Miyawaki Forest Belt to Heighten Biodiversity

The Nashik Factory in India has planted a forest belt based on the Miyawaki Method* on land covering about 4,000 m2 adjacent to the Nashik Factory. About 1,000 trees and plants of more than 60 species were planted on the site. At a ceremony marking the start of this afforestation, the participants also engaged in a cleanup campaign. Such activities lead to a raising of employees’ awareness of biodiversity. Furthermore, the factory, which has invested about 35,000 euros in this project, has asked the nonprofit Nashik Saytrees Environmental Trust for cooperation in maintaining the forest belt. Besides biodiversity, the Nashik Factory endeavors to ease the environmental load by improving soil and air quality and reducing noise.

• *The Miyawaki Method was conceived by the Japanese ecologist Akira Miyawaki, who was already tackling forestry development and greenification in large urban areas in the 1970s. The method involves selecting trees and plants that can grow naturally in the soil and are best for the ecosystem, growing seedlings, and then planting them in a mixed-color and dense fashion. While taking advantage of the qualities of the vegetation, it restores a natural situation. Thanks to this method, forests grow 10 times faster and with three times more density than normal, leading to 30 times greater CO₂ absorption. A self-sufficient natural forest is created in three years.