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54% in total – that is the sales amount of Green Products that Konica Minolta, Inc. (Konica Minolta) has sold in fiscal year 2014[1] across all business areas. This represents sales of 547.1 billion yen[2] (4.2 billion euros[3]). Thus the importance of Green Products increased once more in comparison to the previous fiscal year, namely by 13 percent points. To be certified as a Konica Minolta Green Product – a certification system introduced in 2011 – a product must pass different criteria such as decreased CO2 emissions or the usage of recycled materials. 33 new models have been brought to the market in fiscal year 2014, bringing the total to 147 products across all business areas. Their CO2 reduction effect during product use has been 43,000 tons. These are a few of the results of the current CSR report 2015 that Konica Minolta published recently. Based on its EcoVision 2050, whose main target is to reduce Konica Minolta’s CO2 emissions over the product lifecycle by 80%[4] by 2050, the report shows that the company has made further progress in achieving this target.
Green Products play an important role in achieving the next milestone the company has defined in terms of its Medium-Term Environmental Plan 2016: To reduce the CO2 emissions throughout the product life cycle by 40% to 1,216 thousand tons in fiscal year 20165. Examples of Green Products are the bizhub PRESS 2250P made with recycled PC/PET6. The company developed recycled PC/PET plastic, which is a composite material made with PC. In 2012, Konica Minolta was the first in the industry to use PC/PET in the outer casing of its colour bizhub multifunctional periphery devices (MFPs). Another example is toner bottles made out of polyethylene from recycled milk bottles. For this purpose, Konica Minolta developed its own recycling method and established a mass production system in Mexico and Malaysia. The company intends to increase the proportion of recycled material in the raw materials used for toner containers from 25% at present to 100% in the future. In addition, Konica Minolta contributes with its textile inkjet printers to environmental protection, since those attain a 62% reduction in water resource usage and a 57% reduction in electricity usage in comparison to conventional textile screen-printing.
CO2 reduction of 20% in Green Factories with level 2 certification Through its second certification system, the Green Factory Certification System – an evaluation of the environmental activities at its production sites since 2010 – six more units (five in Japan, one in China) achieved the highest level 2. Level 2 means a 20% reduction7 of CO2 emissions and a 50% reduction of waste discharged externally.
Reduction of CO2 emissions during distribution Konica Minolta’s Green Marketing evaluation measures distribution, sales and service, collection and recycling. Konica Minolta has reduced CO2 emissions during distribution by shortening transportation distances through optimization of distribution sites and routes worldwide, reducing the number of containers through improved loading efficiency, while reducing the frequency of air transport.In addition, Konica Minolta is developing systems for recycling used information technology production at different locations worldwide and is striving to increase the recycling rate. In Japan, the company collects MFPs through sales companies nationwide, whereupon it dismantles and separates the components. The recycling rate was 98%8 in fiscal year 2014.
Reduce environmental impact in cooperation with suppliers Considering the entire supply chain, the company could decrease its CO2 emissions by 2.7% to 1.37 million tons in comparison to fiscal year 2013. Since the entire supply chain also includes Konica Minolta’s suppliers delivering raw materials and parts, the company is continuing with its efforts to reduce emissions by setting targets in cooperation with them. Among the efforts being made to achieve this goal, Konica Minolta has started its Green Suppliers Initiative in fiscal year 2014 to provide suppliers with the environmental technology and know-how to help them reduce their environmental impact. Experts in energy and waste measure from Konica Minolta visited the suppliers’ factories and proposed reduction measures based on the current situation. They work with the suppliers’ staff to formulate and implement improvement plans. Two suppliers have agreed with the aim of such activities thus far.
"Environmental challenges are global and urgent” “In order for us to keep growing sustainably over the next 50 years, or even considering the next 100 years, it is vital that we not only create economic value but also contribute to society”, underscores Shoei Yamana, President and CEO of Konica Minolta, Inc. “Global environmental problems in particular are a pressing issue. CO2 emission reduction, resource sustainability, preservation of biodiversity – the environmental challenges facing the earth today are global and urgent. Global companies have a compelling responsibility to create a sustainable society by reducing their environmental impact.”
More information at: www.konicaminolta.eu/en/business-solutions/sustainability/social-sustainability/social-sustainability.html
1 April 2014 – March 2015 2 Based on total sales of 1,011.7 billion yen in fiscal year 2014 3 As of 31 March 2015 4 Based on fiscal year level 2005 5 Compared to fiscal year level 2005 with 2,027 thousand tons 6 Polycarbonate/polyethylene terephthalate 7 The base year is fiscal 2005. Based on this (base year) figure, standards tailored to factory characteristics are established. 8 By weight Product images are available at: www.konicaminolta-images.eu
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