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.
Together 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 Environmental Charter, we aim for “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.
Goals and Achievements
| Fiscal 2023 Goal | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Improve water withdrawal intensity by 1.5% compared with the previous fiscal year | Improved by 17.8% compared with the previous fiscal year |
Evaluations and Future Activities
TDK sets numerical targets for water withdrawal. 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. 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ー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 31,000 m3 in fiscal 2023 (corresponding to less than 0.5% of the TDK Group's total water withdrawal). We will continue to monitor and manage regional water risks and the state of water use in production factories and endeavor to make improvements.
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 2024 Goal |
|---|
| Improve water withdrawal intensity by 1.5% compared with the previous fiscal year |
Initiatives
TDK is tackling the reduction of water withdrawal and water recycling and collects water withdrawal and discharge data for each site.
Specific activities include the following:
Reducing the Use of Purified Water in Production Processes
(TDK Electronics Factories Corporation, Kitakami Factory)
At the Kitakami Factory in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, groundwater is 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 succeeded in reducing water withdrawal by 100,000 m3 over a six-year period. This initiative will be kept going in the future to protect limited water resources.
