Environmentally Conscious Raw Materials (Produce) | Reducing CO2 from Raw Materials and Procured Goods
Cooperating with Suppliers to Alleviate Environmental Impact
Canon has carried out collaborative activities with suppliers since 2009 to reduce CO2 emission volumes from the production of raw materials and procured goods.
We aim to cut both CO2 emissions and costs by avoiding wasteful resource use and energy consumption in operational activities by suppliers. To achieve this, Canon and its suppliers are jointly carrying out analysis of and improvements to production processes.
To start this activity, we have held briefings for suppliers at six sites in Japan and 10 locations outside Japan since July 2009, and asked approximately 2,000 companies for action in reducing CO2 emission volumes.
In 2011, we added the categories of CO2 Emission Reduction Control System and Status of Reduction Efforts to the supplier evaluation survey, and plan to move forward with these.
Helping Suppliers Reduce Power Consumption
Canon is also helping suppliers develop the same measures for reducing electricity consumption that we employ at our operational sites as part of our joint efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. This involves installing electrical current monitors in switchboards and analyzing the data they provide to determine the causes of peak electricity use. Improvements in this area lead to reductions in both CO2 emissions and power costs.
We completed inspections of these measures at Group companies in 2010, and in 2011 initiated a pilot study to examine measures for constructing a support system for suppliers to take similar measures. As a result of such efforts as reducing unneeded lighting, making changes to contract demand, and making the operational efficiency of equipment more visible, year-on-year power consumption at the selected supplier was reduced by 20%. We completed our supplier support structure based on these efforts.
Reducing Environmental Impact through the Use of Simulations during Development
Canon is avoiding the need to create prototypes by utilizing simulations at the product development stage. This action simultaneously facilitates quality improvements and reduces environmental impact.
For example, we have developed and are applying a simulation program to calculate the discharge effect of ink droplets in the development of print heads for inkjet printers. This has enabled us to shorten development times and streamline prototype creation.
