Resource Conservation and Recycling Measures
NSK’s Approach
The NSK Group is determined to help build a circular economy by developing environmentally friendly products and minimizing waste in production. To this end, we implement initiatives to enhance the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) at each stage of the supply chain.
In our development and design divisions, we strive to develop products that are lightweight, long-lasting, and easy to recycle after use, while also minimizing the use of raw materials in production. Our procurement divisions endeavor to procure parts and raw materials with low environmental impact, such as steel made from recycled scrap materials. Our manufacturing divisions work on reducing resource waste by improving processes and refining tools and molds. Furthermore, we strive to reduce waste output, eliminate landfill disposal, and improve recycling rates by promoting the effective use of lubricants, the circular use of water, and the in-house treatment of waste liquids. Our logistics divisions aim to reduce waste output through the repeated use of packaging materials.
Moreover, we ensure proper waste disposal and prevent compliance violations by ensuring each business site carries out self-inspections, carrying out on-site verification of companies entrusted with waste treatment, and utilizing information systems to ensure advanced management.
Practicing the 3Rs at the NSK Group
Water Resources
An examination of our water needs revealed that the NSK Group is unlikely to be subjected to restrictions on water use, given the locations of our business sites and the volume of water we use. Still, in preparation for future risks, we are working to reduce water consumption by taking measures including cyclical using cooling water, switching to air cooling, and reusing wastewater after purification treatment in our manufacturing divisions. In addition, we are working to conserve water resources by properly treating wastewater and preventing pollution accidents.
Targets and Performance
Mid-Term Management Plan 2026 (MTP2026) Targets, with Targets and Performance for Each Fiscal Year
| MTP2026 | FY2022 Targets | FY2022 Performance | Initiatives | FY2023 Targets | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Industrial waste per unit of sales: Continue to reduce by 1% year on year | Below 7.4% (base year FY2017) (1% reduction from FY2021) | -5.8% (base year FY2017) (Reduced by 13.2% from FY2021) |
| Industrial waste per unit of sales: Below -6.8% (base year FY2017) (1% reduction from FY2022) |
| Maintain a recycling rate of at least 99% | 99% or higher | 99.0% | 99% or higher | ||
| Water withdrawal per unit of sales: 9% reduction from FY2017 | Below -5% (base year FY2017) | -10.4% (base year FY2017) | Water withdrawal per unit of sales: Below -6% (base year FY2017) | ||
| Distribution (Japan) | Packaging waste per production unit: 14% reduction from FY2021 | Below -6% (base year FY2021) | -8.5% (base year FY2021) |
| Packaging waste per production unit: Below -10% (base year FY2021) |
Initiatives
| Reduce |
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|---|---|
| Reuse |
|
| Recycle |
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| Proper Disposal |
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Production Process Initiatives
Reducing Grinding Waste Liquid
About 40% of the NSK Group’s waste is waste liquid generated during the grinding process, and we are taking steps to reduce this waste liquid. As part of these efforts, we are introducing equipment that distills and concentrates waste liquid as well as high-performance concentrators and dryers that quickly dry liquids. Some water recovered during distillation is reused for equipment cooling to effectively utilize resources. The concentrated waste liquid is recycled outside the company as fuel, among other uses.
Shenyang NSK Precision Co., Ltd. has installed a waste liquid evaporator.
Waste liquid evaporator installed at Shenyang NSK Precision
Reducing Grinding Swarf
We are working hard to reduce the discharge of grinding swarf, which accounts for about 40% of the NSK Group's waste, and to ensure its stable recycling.
To address these issues, we are introducing briquetting equipment at our plants worldwide. This equipment compresses the grinding swarf to reduce moisture and form briquettes, thereby reducing weight and volume and allowing it to be recycled as a raw steelmaking material.
The Peterlee Plant in the UK has introduced briquetting equipment, reducing the discharge of grinding swarf and landfill waste.
Briquetting equipment installed at the Peterlee Plant
Reducing Sludge
The NSK Group takes measures to reduce the output of sludge.
At Kunshan NSK Co., Ltd. in China, we updated the filter machine, thereby reducing the oil content of diatomaceous earth used in the filter machine and reducing the amount of waste generated. Additionally, at AKS Precision Ball (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., a sludge dehydrator was installed, reducing the moisture content of the sludge and the amount of waste generated.
Sludge is classified as hazardous waste in China, so these initiatives have reduced hazardous waste.
Updated filter machine at Kunshan NSK
Reducing Plastic Waste
The impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems has become a social issue. Although plastic waste accounts for only about 1% of the NSK Group's waste, we are working to reduce it.
NSK-Warner K.K. has installed a plastic compressor. Stretch film, PP bands, and vinyl are compressed and sold as valuable materials.
Plastic compressor installed at NSK-Warner
Reusing Water Resources
PT. AKS Precision Ball Indonesia has built a new waste water treatment facility and has been reusing the treated water. Treated water is used for cleaning floors, watering plants, and filling cooling towers.
Waste water treatment facility at AKS Precision Ball Indonesia
Harvesting and Using Rainwater
At the Newark Plant in the UK, rainwater is collected and used in facilities such as lavatories. This system provides clean water by filtering and UV irradiating the rainwater to eliminate bacterial microbes and fungal spores, reducing the utility-supplied water used in lavatories and other areas by about 40%.
Rainwater collection system installed at the Newark Plant
Distribution Process Initiatives
Recycling Plastic Containers
In Japan, we are working with a container producer to implement closed-loop recycling, where damaged plastic containers (returnable containers) that have been used repeatedly for many years are recycled as raw materials for new containers. This reduces the amount of virgin plastic resources used and the amount of plastic disposed of as waste.
Closed-Loop Recycling System
Expanding the Use of Plastic Pallets
The NSK Group is working to switch from wooden logistics pallets for transporting products to customers to plastic pallets.
Switching to plastic pallets allows for longer use with less damage, significantly reducing wood use. An additional advantage is that no splinters break off during use.
Furthermore, plastic pallets are excellent in terms of resource circulation, as pallets that can no longer be used due to damage or aging can be recycled as raw materials for new plastic products.
Plastic pallet
Reusing Wooden Pallets
In Europe, the wooden pallets used in shipping from Japan, being of a different size than standard European pallets (“EURpallet”), had been unable to be reused and were disposed of as waste. In FY2020, however, the Company commenced returning these wooden pallets to the Japan, Asia, or Oceania regions, and subsequently they are being reused for interregional shipping.
Regional Initiatives
In the Americas, packaging materials from unpacking imported products, previously disposed of in landfills as waste, have been sold to contractors since FY2020 for thermal recycling, where the energy generated from incineration is reused.