Products
We are actively taking measures to improve product quality levels.
Applications
Why Hamamatsu?
Resources
Support
Our company
Investors
United Kingdom (EN)
Select your region or country.
Management of pollution including waste
Measures to prevent pollution
Hamamatsu Photonics works hard to prevent pollution. Our production facilities, most of which are located in Japan, use a range of chemicals in their manufacturing processes, some of which are specified chemicals with the potential to pollute the environment. Under Japanese law, all transfers and emissions of these chemicals must be reported to the government through the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) system. We appropriately report to the competed authority based on the data which stem from the chemical usage survey conducted twice a year.
The chemicals used at our sites are managed through the surveys of chemical use described above, as well as through Green Procurement Management Standard for Chemical Substances For HAMAMATSU Group*1. These substances are controlled especially carefully during the disposal phase. Japan’s Environmental Basic Act lists seven typical forms of pollution that can be harmful to human health and living environments: (1) Air pollution, (2) Water pollution, (3) Soil pollution, (4) Noise, (5) Vibration, (6) Land subsidence, and (7) Odor. At Hamamatsu Photonics, we manage all these forms of pollution according to the law and our own standards from the perspective of preventing accidents that can cause pollution. When the possibility of pollution from our business activities arises, we move promptly to identify the source of the pollution, report the matter to the competent authorities and local communities and strive to return conditions to their original state.
*1: Green Procurement Management Standard for Chemical Substances For HAMAMATSU Group: Hamamatsu Photonics’ in-house standards applying to substances the Company designates as the Environment-related Substances. We also have the Green Procurement Management Standard for Chemical Substances For Suppliers which sets the same level of criteria as the standard for HAMAMATSU Group sets, which focuses on chemicals contained in products/parts supplied by suppliers and is opened to the public.
Note: The data tabulation period is based on the Company’s fiscal year.
FY2023: October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023
FY2022: October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022
FY2021: October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021
FY2020: October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020
FY2019: October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019
Appropriate management of chemicals
Twice a year, Hamamatsu Photonics conducts a survey of the status of chemical use, to gain an understanding of the full extent of its use of chemicals in manufacturing processes and the like. Among these are ClassⅠ specified chemicals*2 as designated in the PRTR system. When chemicals of this type are handled by the Company in quantities of 1 t per year or more, they become subject to reporting. In 2022 the Main Factory and Miyakoda Factory reported the use of 5 such chemicals. The chemicals reported by Hamamatsu Photonics, the volume of ClassⅠ specified chemicals handled in each fiscal year*3 , and their output per unit of net sales are as shown below.
In FY2023, the volume handled was increased significantly due to the change of Class Ⅰ specified chemicals as designated in the PRTR system.
*2 Chemicals for which both submission of the volume released into the environment under the PRTR system and provision of safety data sheets (SDSs) are required. 515 substances are designated as Class Ⅰ specified chemicals.
・https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/chemical_management/law/prtr/2.html
*3 Chemicals of this type used by any of the Company’s business locations in quantities of over 1 kg per year are subject to tabulation.
Substances subject to reporting based on the PRTR system
| FY2018 | FY2019 | FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyooka Factory | - | - | - | - | - |
| Tenno Glass Works | - | - | - | - | - |
| Main Factory | 1. 2-amino ethanol 2. Hydrogen fluoride and its water-soluble salts 3. Pyrocatechol |
1. 2-amino ethanol 2. Hydrogen fluoride and its water-soluble salts 3. Pyrocatechol |
1. 2-amino ethanol 2. Hydrogen fluoride and its water-soluble salts 3. Pyrocatechol |
1. 2-amino ethanol 2. Hydrogen fluoride and its water-soluble salts 3. Pyrocatechol 4. Triglycidyl isocyanurate |
1. 2-amino ethanol 2. Hydrogen fluoride and its water-soluble salts 3. Pyrocatechol 4. Triglycidyl isocyanurate |
| Mitsue Factory | - | - | - | - | - |
| Shingai Factory | - | - | - | - | - |
| Joko Factory | - | - | - | - | - |
| Central Research Laboratory | - | - | - | - | - |
| Miyakoda Factory (Compound semiconductor Fabrication Center) |
Ferric chlorides | Ferric chlorides | Ferric chlorides | Ferric chlorides | Ferric chlorides |
| Industrial Development Research Center | - | - | - | - | - |
| Tsukuba Research Center | - | - | - | - | - |
Advancement of collection and use of SDSs
SDSs are useful for understanding the properties of chemicals and handling them safely. Hamamatsu Photonics ensures that the latest SDSs not only for chemicals for which provision of SDSs is required under the Industrial Safety and Health Act but for all chemicals it handles. SDSs are recorded in the Company’s database, playing a role in risk assessment of chemicals and in maintaining the safety of workplaces and the surrounding environment.
Intra SDS database
Reducing atmospheric emissions of VOCs
To reduce atmospheric emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Hamamatsu Photonics is reducing its use of these compounds and installing equipment for its recovery. VOCs are primarily used in industrial cleaning facilities, with major emissions in this category including ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and acetone.
Inspection of status of handling of chemicals
While evaluation of risks associated with chemicals is based on SDSs, the actual degree of risk is heavily dependent on the environment in which chemicals are used. At Hamamatsu Photonics, we regularly inspect the workplaces and chemical storage sites where chemicals are handled, under the Chemicals Working Group. When problems are detected through the inspection process, we correct them promptly, then report the matter to the Headquarters Chemicals Working Group and share the information appropriately.
Chemical safety training
To ensure employees treat chemicals properly and prevent environmental
accident, Hamamatsu Photonics has prepared accident and disaster
response manuals, installs and inspects disaster-response equipment, and
regularly holds disaster-response training sessions. Training sessions
include training on response to chemical spills, evacuation drills in
preparation for indoor gas leaks and training on respirator tank
attachment.
We also regularly hold chemical safety educational program for employee.
To understand risk about treating chemical substance, we share
internal/external chemical substance accident cases or invite expert
from outside to give professional lecture.
Appropriate waste management
Data on Waste
Towards circular economy society, we, having consideration of decreasing landfill volume and increasing resource efficiency, address separating wastes properly, reducing defective products, and reusing and recycling some facilities and packaging. Please refer to the table and graph below for our waste data*4 over the past five years.
Breakdown of Waste
| FY2019 | FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid waste | 578 | 627 | 695 | 720 | 850 |
| Plastic waste | 163 | 148 | 161 | 212 | 188 |
| Hazardous waste ※5 | 315 | 311 | 407 | 358 | 402 |
| Preparing for reuse | 293 | 287 | 317 | 285 | 355 |
Breakdown of Waste-treatment
| FY2019 | FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reuse volume ※6 | 293 | 287 | 317 | 285 | 355 |
| Recycling volume | 521 | 514 | 64 | 694 | 658 |
| Recovery volume | 104 | 141 | 145 | 113 | 108 |
| Landfill volume | 15.5 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 6.2 | 14.2 |
| Landfill rate ※7 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.9 |
*4 From FY2023, we changed the base concept for our waste data from the Japanese waste law to the EU waste framework directive, and also expanded our disclose area from 'non-consolidated' to 'consolidated.' Please note that this 'consolidated' means the consolidated-production sites excluding sales offices.
*5 Waste designated in law as specified hazardous waste. These include sludge, waste acid, and waste alkali, all containing heavy metals, organic chlorides, and dioxin above a certain concentration. Also included are PCBs, asbestos, and waste mercury.
*6 Reuse volume: The amount of reuse is covering valuables and stuff in a sense of the Japanese waste law.
*7 Landfill rate: Landfill volume in proportion to waste volume. Our goal is the landfill rate of less than 1.8 % in consideration of the self regulatory goal towards circular society from JEITA or Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association.
Ensuring proper disposal at our contracted waste facilities
Each year Hamamatsu Photonics carries out comprehensive checks of our contracted waste facilities, to ensure that waste is disposed appropriately. We confirm the details of contractors’ waste-treatment licenses, compliance with requirements for treatment and storage of waste as stipulated in the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Act, and whether contractors maintain harmonious relationships with surrounding residential communities. In audits of contractors, we review all processes from waste transport to landfilling. If incorrect treatment occurs (an event for which the Company fortunately has no cases at this time), the Company reports the matter to the competent authorities in accordance with the law.
Number of confirmations of status of proper disposal by our contracted waste facilities
Appropriate disposal of hazardous waste
Certain industrial wastes are identified as Hazardous Waste in several
laws and regulations.5 These kinds of wastes require special attention
and needs to be disposed of properly. We have entrusted contractors
whose facilities provide disposal in an environmentally sound manner. We
then confirm this with a follow up visit at these sites on a regular
basis.
Especially, we strictly manage PCB waste, because it must be diposed until the legally set deadline.
Preventing pollution of soil and groundwater
Hamamatsu Photonics’ manufacturing processes include processes in which waste liquids containing hazardous substances are emitted. If the piping that conducts this waste liquid becomes damaged or cracked, resulting in leaks of hazardous substances, pollution of soil or groundwater can result. A revision of the Water Pollution Control Act mandates that even piping buried underground must be inspected for leaks. In light of the risk of pollution with even greater concern, we exhume underground piping and tanks and place them above ground if necessary. In addition, in view of the high incidence of earthquakes in Japan, we introduce flexible piping in certain places to prevent damage to piping due to vibration.
Placement of buried piping above ground and introduction of flexible piping
- Confirmation
-
It looks like you're in the . If this is not your location, please select the correct region or country below.
You're headed to Hamamatsu Photonics website for GB (English). If you want to view an other country's site, the optimized information will be provided by selecting options below.
In order to use this website comfortably, we use cookies. For cookie details please see our cookie policy.
- Cookie Policy
-
This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in this cookie policy. By closing the cookie warning banner, scrolling the page, clicking a link or continuing to browse otherwise, you agree to the use of cookies.
Hamamatsu uses cookies in order to enhance your experience on our website and ensure that our website functions.
You can visit this page at any time to learn more about cookies, get the most up to date information on how we use cookies and manage your cookie settings. We will not use cookies for any purpose other than the ones stated, but please note that we reserve the right to update our cookies.
1. What are cookies?
For modern websites to work according to visitor’s expectations, they need to collect certain basic information about visitors. To do this, a site will create small text files which are placed on visitor’s devices (computer or mobile) - these files are known as cookies when you access a website. Cookies are used in order to make websites function and work efficiently. Cookies are uniquely assigned to each visitor and can only be read by a web server in the domain that issued the cookie to the visitor. Cookies cannot be used to run programs or deliver viruses to a visitor’s device.
Cookies do various jobs which make the visitor’s experience of the internet much smoother and more interactive. For instance, cookies are used to remember the visitor’s preferences on sites they visit often, to remember language preference and to help navigate between pages more efficiently. Much, though not all, of the data collected is anonymous, though some of it is designed to detect browsing patterns and approximate geographical location to improve the visitor experience.
Certain type of cookies may require the data subject’s consent before storing them on the computer.
2. What are the different types of cookies?
This website uses two types of cookies:
- First party cookies. For our website, the first party cookies are controlled and maintained by Hamamatsu. No other parties have access to these cookies.
- Third party cookies. These cookies are implemented by organizations outside Hamamatsu. We do not have access to the data in these cookies, but we use these cookies to improve the overall website experience.
3. How do we use cookies?
This website uses cookies for following purposes:
- Certain cookies are necessary for our website to function. These are strictly necessary cookies and are required to enable website access, support navigation or provide relevant content. These cookies direct you to the correct region or country, and support security and ecommerce. Strictly necessary cookies also enforce your privacy preferences. Without these strictly necessary cookies, much of our website will not function.
- Analytics cookies are used to track website usage. This data enables us to improve our website usability, performance and website administration. In our analytics cookies, we do not store any personal identifying information.
- Functionality cookies. These are used to recognize you when you return to our website. This enables us to personalize our content for you, greet you by name and remember your preferences (for example, your choice of language or region).
- These cookies record your visit to our website, the pages you have visited and the links you have followed. We will use this information to make our website and the advertising displayed on it more relevant to your interests. We may also share this information with third parties for this purpose.
Cookies help us help you. Through the use of cookies, we learn what is important to our visitors and we develop and enhance website content and functionality to support your experience. Much of our website can be accessed if cookies are disabled, however certain website functions may not work. And, we believe your current and future visits will be enhanced if cookies are enabled.
4. Which cookies do we use?
There are two ways to manage cookie preferences.
- You can set your cookie preferences on your device or in your browser.
- You can set your cookie preferences at the website level.
If you don’t want to receive cookies, you can modify your browser so that it notifies you when cookies are sent to it or you can refuse cookies altogether. You can also delete cookies that have already been set.
If you wish to restrict or block web browser cookies which are set on your device then you can do this through your browser settings; the Help function within your browser should tell you how. Alternatively, you may wish to visit www.aboutcookies.org, which contains comprehensive information on how to do this on a wide variety of desktop browsers.
5. What are Internet tags and how do we use them with cookies?
Occasionally, we may use internet tags (also known as action tags, single-pixel GIFs, clear GIFs, invisible GIFs and 1-by-1 GIFs) at this site and may deploy these tags/cookies through a third-party advertising partner or a web analytical service partner which may be located and store the respective information (including your IP-address) in a foreign country. These tags/cookies are placed on both online advertisements that bring users to this site and on different pages of this site. We use this technology to measure the visitors' responses to our sites and the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns (including how many times a page is opened and which information is consulted) as well as to evaluate your use of this website. The third-party partner or the web analytical service partner may be able to collect data about visitors to our and other sites because of these internet tags/cookies, may compose reports regarding the website’s activity for us and may provide further services which are related to the use of the website and the internet. They may provide such information to other parties if there is a legal requirement that they do so, or if they hire the other parties to process information on their behalf.
If you would like more information about web tags and cookies associated with on-line advertising or to opt-out of third-party collection of this information, please visit the Network Advertising Initiative website http://www.networkadvertising.org.
6. Analytics and Advertisement Cookies
We use third-party cookies (such as Google Analytics) to track visitors on our website, to get reports about how visitors use the website and to inform, optimize and serve ads based on someone's past visits to our website.
You may opt-out of Google Analytics cookies by the websites provided by Google:
https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en
As provided in this Privacy Policy (Article 5), you can learn more about opt-out cookies by the website provided by Network Advertising Initiative:
http://www.networkadvertising.org
We inform you that in such case you will not be able to wholly use all functions of our website.
Close