Our Concept and Policy of Resource Circulation

Resource recycling is a crucial management issue for manufacturers that rely on resources to provide products and services, and their responsibility to contribute to a “Material-Cycle Society  ” is becoming increasingly significant. In recent years, there has also been a growing call for a shift to a circular economy.
SII utilizes various resources, including mineral resources and plastics for products, biological resources such as wood and paper, and water resources in the production process. As part of our environmental policy, we assert that “Because we recognize the limits of our precious natural resources, we are increasing our efforts to reuse and recycle every resource possible.” We believe it is essential to utilize resources effectively and reduce waste throughout the entire product lifecycle, from raw material extraction to disposal and recycling, not just during the manufacturing and sales stages.
To this end, we adhere to the 3R concept by making thorough and efficient use of resources during the upstream and manufacturing stages. We prioritize material reuse whenever possible, and when disposal is necessary, we aim to minimize the amount sent to final disposal sites by partnering with recycling organizations to manage waste effectively.
Additionally, from the product planning and design stage, we strive to create products that are not only smaller and lighter with extended lifespans but also promote efficient resource use and recycling among our customers and end users. Furthermore, we are promoting the use of recycled materials and recycling, while ensuring that thorough quality checks of recycled materials are conducted before their use.

Waste ＆ Recyclables

FY2024 Summary

In FY2024, we continued our steady efforts in resource recycling by improving material utilization efficiency, downsizing products, and reusing cleaning agents in accordance with the 3R principles.

At our domestic sites, approximately 80% of waste and recyclables consisted of general waste, sludge, waste plastics, and metal scrap. The total volume of waste and recyclables generated in FY2024 was 848 tons, representing a reduction of 154 tons compared to the previous year. This decrease was largely due to a rebound from the temporary increase in metal scrap in FY2023, which had resulted from the disposal of production equipment.

Meanwhile, at our international sites, around 80% of waste and recyclables consisted of metal scrap and waste liquids. The total volume of waste and recyclables in FY2024 was reduced by 641 tons, primarily due to a decline in production. The recycling rate remained steady at 91%, the same as the previous year.

Recycling Pure Water

As part of our efforts to make effective use of water resources, SII is advancing water recycling initiatives such as the reuse of purified water at production sites both in Japan and overseas. In our offices, we are also working to improve the efficiency of daily water use by introducing water-saving equipment.
At SII Crystal Technology Inc., water used in the component cleaning process is not discarded but is instead collected and reused through a purified water recycling system. This initiative enables the recycling of approximately 24 thousand m³ of water annually.

Water Risks

It is essential to consider water risks from various perspectives, including the risks of water withdrawal, flood risk, the risk of stricter regulations on wastewater discharge, and the risks associated with rainwater runoff contaminated with hazardous substances.
At SII, we conducted water risk assessments for all production sites using globally recognized tools: Aqueduct, developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the Water Risk Filter, provided by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).From the results of these assessments, we discovered that four of our overseas sites—two in Thailand and two in China—are located in regions with high water stress, both at present and in projections for the year 2030.
The total water intake at the relevant sites for FY2024 was 137 thousand m³, accounting for 30% of the SII Group's total water intake.
At each SII site, we identify risks such as flooding that may affect both our own operations and those of our key suppliers, and we have established appropriate response measures in the event of such occurrences. We remain committed to understanding and addressing water risks, particularly in regard to our production facilities and supply chain as a whole.