Environmental Protection System

1. Items specified by laws and regulations

In each of its manufacturing operations, KIOXIA deplays automatic analyzers performing around-the-clock monitoring of wastewater and waste gases including nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur oxide (SOx), total nitrogen (T-N), total phosphorus (T-P), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS), fluorine, and power of hydrogen (pH). Other items are monitored by sampling.

2. Analysis Center

We analyze approximately 35,000 items of wastewater and waste gas per year at the Analysis Center in Yokkaichi Plant.

We continuously manage the water and gas discharged by Yokkaichi Plant discharges under our own voluntary guidelines to ensure compliance with all appropriate laws and regulations.

In order to prevent contamination by chemical substances and reduce contamination risk, KIOXIA has established its Structural Design Guidelines to reduce the risk of a leak of chemicals at environment-related facilities.

To promote environmental preservation activities continually and efficiently, in each manufacturing site of KIOXIA we have established environmental preservation procedures overseen by a General Manager with clearly defined responsibilities and authority. An Environment Management Committee deliberates environmental preservation across the entire spectrum of environmental activities, including environmental management systems, environmental policies and environmental objectives. We have further established a Compliance Committee to supervise and ensure full compliance with all relevant environmental laws and ordinances.

KIOXIA Group has been conducting annual environmental audits of its sites. An audit team conducts this audit based on the following principles: 3 “Zen (all)" approach, 3 “Gen (actual)" approach, and visual control (management to watch and show) approach.

Through audits, we promote improvement in compliance with laws and regulations, measurement and management of controlled substances, and 4S (sorting, straightening-up, sanitation, and sweeping) approach. These audits target eight facilities, including the legally mandated wastewater treatment facilities. In FY2018, we introduced external auditors and conducted a full inspection of the audit system, and objective review of the management level. We will incorporate the knowledge obtained through these audits in future environmental plant audits.