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Nagase Group

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Utilizing our Strengths in Technology and Information

Environmental consciousness and our new wood materials The effective utilization of limited resources is a priority for a sustainable society. In contributing to the creation of such a society, Nagase is making active use of previously unused resources. For example, we create new environmentally-friendly materials from biomass resources such as wood from off-cuts, thinning and scrap lumber. PLUSWOOD is a proprietary building material, a composite of non-vinyl chloride thermoplastic resin and powdered wood chips from off-cuts, thinning and other sources. PLUSWOOD is the first plastic composite developed with more than 51% by weight of wooden material. The result is a new construction material for the 21st century that is environmentally-friendly: it can be recycled and does not emit formalins or dioxins. This is a new material that truly helps human beings coexist with the earth.
Plastic recycling Nagase is deeply involved in the global effort to switchover from a mass production, mass consumption, mass waste economic system to a sustainable society. Our recycling efforts include reprocessing waste plastic into pellets at Setsunan Kasei, and we are also involved in developing new molding methods and other means of promoting the reuse of waste plastic. We are part of the Council for PET Bottle Recycling and comply with the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law.
Eco-materials The impact of a product on the environment is almost completely determined at the stage of design and development. It is necessary to rationally and effectively incorporate recycling-friendly design from the initial stages in order to make a product conform to the requirements of a sustainable, recycling-based society. Nagase is working to reduce the burden on the environment by introducing eco-materials, including resins, fire-retardants, alternative chemicals and repairable adhesives, that promote reduction, reuse, safety or enable easier separation and processing for recycling.
Chemical recovery and reuse systems The concept of zero-emissions was first advocated by the United Nations University in 1994. We have developed a chemical management system that is contributing to the realization of this goal. The system monitors the concentrations of chemicals used in the manufacture of semiconductors and LCDs, makes the process more stable, and recycles and reuses waste chemicals. This technology provides an environmentally-friendly solution while meeting customer needs for reduced costs.
Solvent recovery system Although it is difficult for a single corporation to reduce its own waste emissions to zero, we are introducing a solvent recovery and purification system that is based on the concept that the waste products produced by one industry can be the raw materials for a different industry. We are naturally developing these systems for recovery and reuse at our own plants, but we are also introducing a process whereby recovered and purified materials that we do not need are transferred to an outside company for use as raw materials. In this way we are pursuing the ideal of zero emissions by converting waste to usable, valuable resources. At the present time we are reviewing using a solvent recovery system in South East Asia as well.
Nagase FineChem Singapore (Pte) Ltd. Nagase, our manufacturing subsidiary Nagase ChemteX and Nagase Singapore (Pte) Ltd. established a new manufacturing company in Singapore in September 2001. The plant is capable both of producing the chemicals used to manufacture LCDs, semiconductors and electronic devices, and of recycling those chemicals after use. Nagase FineChem Singapore is able to efficiently use limited resources by recovering, recycling and reusing the chemicals it produces and sells. The reduced emissions also lessen the impact on the environment. Designated a beneficial new corporation, the company has been granted "Pioneer Status" and the accompanying privileges from the Singapore government. The Nagase Group is building a network of manufacturing sites in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and elsewhere for the production and sale of environmentally-friendly chemicals used i n LCD, semiconductor and electronic device manufacturing throughout Asia and for the recovery and reuse of those chemicals.
Joint research and development Nagase, with an R&D Center capable of both R&D and technology assessment, is actively involved in joint research projects with universities and other institutions. Specifically environment-related projects include "bio-diesel fuel" produced from waste cooking oil with an enzyme process that uses "intelligent" yeast, colored glass recycling by means of a new sol-gel color coating technology, and "bio-preprocessing" of cotton textiles with enzymes. These are some of the ways in which Nagase is using completely new concepts in chemistry to address environmental problems.
Information on the safety of chemical products Nagase is putting its strengths in technology and information to work to prevent pollution with green chemistry and green products. We present alternatives to hazardous substances as well as provide safety-related information on chemical products from the perspectives of preventing air, soil and water pollution and complying with PRTR Law.
Joint transport Nagase has been implementing joint distribution with other industry members for the shipping of dyestuffs and related products since 1996 through the Nagase Group's Nagase Storage & Distribution Co., Ltd.. Joint distribution provides users with a system of superior service and a consolidated network of warehouses means trucks can be dispatched efficiently. Joint transport not only reduces distribution-related costs for the user, it also contributes to the health of the environment by saving energy and conserving petroleum resources.
Environmental initiatives in the office Nagase is developing environmental preservation action plans for every kind of corporate activity. Each employee performs his or her work with the environment in mind. Our environmental initiatives in the office can be dated back to the establishment of the Office Environment Improvement Committee in 1987. The committee reviews the use of office supplies, equipment and furniture, and creates initiatives for separating garbage and recycling paper. These initiatives continue today with every employee participating in the effective use of resources.
Coexisting with society We support and cooperate with other organizations working to protect the environment. This includes participation in the Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation, the Japan Foreign Trade Council Global Environment Committee, the Japan Chemical Importers' Association Chemical Safety and Environment Committee and the Osaka Industrial Association Environmental Problem Research Council among others. We are also part of the Nihonbashi Kobuna-cho recycling drive, a small but definite contribution to the local community.
Participation in regional R&D consortia The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) is engaged in forming regional consortia of companies, universities and research institutions to promote technological development. The fruit of NEDO's efforts are used to help strengthen industrial competitiveness and create new industries. The environment-related consortia projects we are participating in include colored glass recycling using a new sol-gel color coating technology, and the production of "bio-diesel fuel" from waste cooking oil by means of an enzyme process that employs "intelligent" yeast . In this way we are taking an approach to environmental issues based on new concepts in chemistry. As a trading company we are unique in that we have an R&D center that develops and evaluates new technologies, and serves as the nexus for joint research and development in cooperation with universities.

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