2011
(Posted Sept. 2011)
Stringent environmental measures
The Minebea Group believes that harmonizing with the environment as a manufacturing enterprise is a prerequisite for carrying out activities as an enterprise and achieving sustained growth for the Group, and has carried out plant construction and management that does not harm the area around the plant or the natural environment. Minebea Thailand has also progressed its environmental measures in a manner appropriate to Thailand's climate, water supplies, and status as an energy-importing nation.
For example, Thailand's water supplies are not as abundant as Japan's, and factories do not have unlimited access to municipal water supplies. In response, we have introduced a "Plant Wastewater Zero System" that purifies plant effluents to the same level of quality as municipal water, so it can be reused. An idea that was possible precisely because Thailand has heavy rainfall was to collect rainwater in a reservoir for use, and we succeeded in limiting the amount of water we need to procure. In FY2010, Minebea Thailand's total water usage amounted to 3.123 million ㎥, only 2.035 million ㎥ of which was municipal water—about 65% of the total. Approximately 299,000 ㎥ of plant effluents were reused, and rain and ground water use amounted to 789,000 ㎥. We also aggressively introduced such advanced environmental technologies as a biogas-generation plant that turns raw waste from the plant cafeteria into biogas that is used in the cafeteria in place of LP gas, and recycling of cutting oil through the introduction of a swarf compressor machine.
In addition, the construction concept for the new production facility within our Bang Pa-in Plant was "Minebea's most energy- efficient plant." The approach included heat-reflecting paint on exterior walls and roof, high-efficiency centrifugal chillers, high-efficiency fans, and electronic ballast for fluorescent lighting, and these measures have reduced our energy cost by approximately 45% compared to our original plant. To encourage understanding of our activities on the part of the local residents, these environmental measures are communicated to the local community through our in-house newsletter, which is distributed monthly, as well as via the local government notice board.
Environmental measures are often required by law or such standards as ISO, but target values far exceeding required levels have been established for most of Minebea's efforts, and these values are being met. Because of our commitment to manufacturing, we devised and have been implementing ways to operate that do not harm the local natural environment.
Processing facility for Plant Wastewater Zero System
Biogas-generation plant
Water reservoir
Energy-efficient production facility within the Bang Pa-in Plant
Rice-cooking equipment powered by biogas
Information on Minebea Thailand's efforts is posted at the town hall
High-efficiency centrifugal chiller
The Minebea Group in Thailand and Cambodia
