Sustainability
We strive to help preserve the Earth’s environment while contributing to hygiene, health and safety through our day-to-day operations, with the aim of becoming a forerunner in environmental initiatives.
LION SPECIALTY CHEMICALS CO., LTD. has identified “pursuing the environmental solution business based on interface science” as its mission. Accordingly, we aim to not only achieve superior product performance but to remain conscious of our duty to protect the Earth’s environment through product development.
Environmentally Friendly Products
Oil-related products
We use natural plant-derived oils, such as palm oil and coconut oil, as raw materials in our products with an eye to making effective use of renewable resources. Our lineup includes the “PASTELL M Series,” which comprises high-purity fatty acid methyl esters.
Another product, “PASTELL NEO,” is an electrical insulating oil created from plant-derived oils. Environmentally friendly, this product is highly biodegradable—meaning it does not contribute to the generation of CO2 emissions from incineration—while boasting high insulation and cooling performance. Thanks to these strengths, “PASTELL NEO” was chosen by the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA) to receive an Environmental Technology Award under the 47th JCIA Technology Award Program in 2015.
Carbon-related products
Our “KETJENBLACK,” is a unique electro-conductive carbon black material widely used for such manufacturing applications as automobile exterior components and batteries. This product contributes to the reduction of environmental burden posed by emissions of exhaust gas, VOC and other substances. Another product, the electro-conductive plastic “LEOPOUND” serves as an alternative to metal and offers benefits in terms of environmental friendliness, due to its lighter weight and other superior features, including moldability and recyclability.
Biodegradable cationic surfactant
“LIONSOFTER EQ” is a highly biodegradable fabric softener base material. This product has an ester-type quaternary ammonium structure and is made using plant-derived ingredients, specifically plant-derived fatty acid methyl ester. Undertaken together with our affiliates, the manufacture of this raw material involves a sophisticated fractional distillation process and the stringent management of alkyl distribution. Because the alkyl chain includes almost no linoleic content (C18:2) or short-chain alkyl content (C14 and below), “LIONSOFTER EQ” has little odor while being highly stable in terms of product performance and color.
Initiatives Undertaken by Plants
LION SPECIALTY CHEMICALS CO., LTD.’s Ono Site and Yokkaichi Site are ISO 14001 certified. Moreover, in the course of day-to-day production activities, these sites strive to reduce environmental burden and prevent pollution, rallying their entire workforce to preserve and improve the environment. Looking ahead, we will push ahead with energy-saving efforts and thereby play our part in the pursuit of “Eco Challenge 2050,” which was established by Lion Corporation with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions to zero throughout our business activities.
Ono Site (Plant and Research Center)
Since acquiring ISO 14001 certification in 2005, the Ono Site has continued endeavoring to reduce its environmental burden and preserve the natural environment. In 2013, waste liquid combustion furnaces were abolished, drastically reducing CO2 emissions from site operations. Furthermore, taking a medium to long-term perspective, this site has reinforced the flexibility of its production workload distribution structure by, for example, subdividing steam supply management systems and implementing various energy-saving measures like updating its air compressors and water pumps by introducing inverters. At the same time, employees have engaged in cleanup activities covering municipal roads while also cooperating with the community-led development of ridou (public land that has been unofficially used as roads), conserving the biodiversity of neighboring areas and otherwise playing their part in community-rooted initiatives.
Yokkaichi Site (Plant)
Since acquiring ISO 14001 certification in 1997, the Yokkaichi Site has constantly striven to enhance its energy-saving and environmental burden reduction initiatives. In recent years, the site has updated air compressors via the introduction of inverters while pushing ahead with the switchover of lighting to LEDs and the reduction of energy loss through the enhancement of energy management. In 2021, the site commissioned SGS Japan, Inc. to undertake the third-party verification of its environmental data. In 2015, the site began acting in collaboration with a citizen-led town-planning committee as well as a local NPO aimed at protecting sea turtles as part of biodiversity conservation activities. This collaboration currently involves cleanup activities covering neighboring coastline and efforts to eliminate invasive non-native species.