Feature

SDGs Action to Save the World

There is now an expectation that companies around the world will take a long-term approach in proactively promoting sustainability as they work toward attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and thereby the creation of a better world. Mitsubishi companies, in their individual businesses, are making wide-ranging contributions to the attainment of the SDGs. In this edition of the Mitsubishi Monitor, we introduce the activities that Mitsubishi companies are engaged in as they work to create a prosperous and rich society.

Mitsubishi Shokuhin

Reducing Food Waste

Mitsubishi Shokuhin (MS) is working to reduce food waste and further the target of “promote environmentally considerate business.” The company is working to correct industry practices by promoting digitalization and other technological innovation in food logistics. In April 2020, the company set up an SDG promotion office, which reports to the Business Planning Headquarters, and is working to link its activities with business strategy, progress management, stakeholder engagement and the raising of internal awareness.

Target
MS aims to reduce food waste by 50% compared to FY2016. We are working to achieve this goal by employing AI to forecast demand, improving ordering accuracy, and collaborating with business partners to reduce returns.

Employing digital technology at a distribution center

NYK Line

MarCoPay: A Life Support Platform for Seafarers

MarCoPay aims to offer mobile app accessible services in the financial, communication, medical care and educational fields
A shipboard briefing session
*before pandemic

There are 1.5 million seafarers working at the forefront of maritime transport worldwide. In some of the countries that supply the industry with seafarers, including the Philippines, financial services are inadequate and credit systems have still to reach a level of maturity. While such seafarers earn relatively high incomes for the long periods of professional work they carry out in a harsh environment, they do not, at present, enjoy commensurate levels of recognition and services. Working with the Philippine-based conglomerate Transnational Diversified Group, in August 2019 NYK Line (NYK) established the MarCoPay e-money digital platform to provide e-money, loans and valuable services for seafarers and the maritime community. MarCoPay will create new economic opportunities for these workers, their families, and the people that touch their lives by providing attainable innovative products, at the tap of a finger.

Target
500,000 registered platform users (including seafarer families)

Target indicators
To contribute to greater stability and growth in local communities using a mobile fintech app to provide greater stability in user lives, as well as to give access to asset formation support and other services at all stages of their lives.

Attainment
MarCoPay received its e-money license in December 2019 and is working to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 on sailors’ lives.

Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance

Package insurance for Renewable Offshore Wind Projects

An offshore wind farm


As interest in renewable energy grows, large-scale offshore wind farm projects in Japan are expected to increase in number. Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance is offering offshore wind farm operators in Japan comprehensive insurance cover that packages together the kind of construction insurance and operation insurance generally employed in Europe.

Target indicators
The insurance cover and accident prevention offered by the package support the attainment of the “10GW (10 nuclear power station equivalent) by 2030” installed capacity target proposed by the Japanese government.

Attainment
Starting in 2013, the company has been underwriting cover for 36 wind farm projects in 10 countries and regions. To encourage the secure and safe supply of clean energy, the package offers comprehensive offshore wind farm cover from the start of construction through to operation. The company launched the package in Japan in 2020.

Mitsubishi Materials

A Stable Supply and Recycling of Copper and Precious Metals

Copper is increasingly important in our highly digitalized society, and as a smelting company Mitsubishi Materials (MMC) supports societal development by using resources and materials with care, constantly thinking of how best to effectively use and recycle our limited resources. In addition, the company contributes to the creation of a “circular society” by the recycling of E-Scrap from all over the world. In particular, E-Scrap—recyclable materials extracted from WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment), mainly printed circuit boards—contains copper and precious metals. Because they enable the efficient extraction and recycling of resources with minimal impact on the environment and on local communities compared to natural mines, the company is actively recycling the metals from these “urban mines.”

Target
A 25% increase in E-Scrap processing capacity to 200,000 tons, starting in 2019.

Target indicators
The MMC group is actively engaged in the recycling of E-Scrap. In line with the SDG 2030 target of making major reductions in the amount of waste generated by stopping the creation of waste, by reducing waste, by recycling and by reuse, we aim to increase our E-Scrap (recyclable materials picked out from dismantled and crushed WEEE, mainly printed circuit boards) processing capacity by 25% from the 160,000 tons in fiscal 2019.

Attainment
In addition to the smelting and refining technologies for copper and other nonferrous metals our group has built up over more than a century, the company is also proactively engaged in the recycling of the “urban mines” of E-Scrap. Alongside our high-level operational expertise and the “Mitsubishi Process,” a unique continuous copper smelting and converting process, we have established a global collection network, and are constantly working to improve processing capacity, as well as services such as our online booking system. We are currently able to process E-Scrap on a world-leading scale, which we are progressively expanding.

E-Scrap: waste printed circuit boards from electronic devices
The Naoshima Smelter & Refinery

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Developing Solutions for the Arrival of a “Hydrogen Society”

A hydrogen-fired gas turbine


Hydrogen energy is a storable energy which emits no CO2 at the stage of its use, and it promises much in a wide range of fields. If it becomes possible to store hydrogen which emits no CO2 at the production stage, and to supply it stably as and when required, this would be a major step forward toward a decarbonized society. In its mission to reduce CO2 emissions, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is participating in projects to convert natural gas-fired power plants into 100% hydrogen-fired generation. Setting its eye on the growing need for hydrogen in the future, MHI Group is advancing research into high-temperature gas furnace cogeneration plants which enable both power generation and utilization of high temperatures around large-scale, low cost and stable-supply hydrogen production, and is contributing to the creation of a decarbonized/ hydrogen society in the steel and many other industries. MHI Group is also working on the effective utilization of CO2 in, for example, the refinement of ammonia, methanol and other chemicals.

Target
Development of 100% hydrogen-fired gas turbines

Target indicators
To increase deliveries of 100% hydrogen-fired plants. MHI Group is participating in the Magnum project in the Netherlands which targets converting an existing power plant to 100% hydrogen-fired operation by 2027. MHI Group is to deliver a gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) plant in the United States, in Utah, that employs hydrogen-fired gas turbine technology developed for practical application by MHI Group.

Attainment
MHI Group, since the 1970s, has been a supplier of power plant gas turbines fired by hydrogen mixed fuels and today these have clocked a cumulative operating time of over 3.5 million hours. In 2018 MHI Group achieved a 30% hydrogen mixture combustion technology using its own combustor technology and is engaged in a number of projects around the world.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus

Fuso’s Electric, Light-Duty Truck eCanter

The eCanter EV truck made by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus (MFTBC) has achieved further advances. Its quiet, zero-emission performance makes it especially suited to delivery work in urban areas, while it also meets late night and early morning operation requirements. The motor delivers more power than a diesel engine in the same vehicle class and the electric motor’s inherent characteristic of developing maximum torque at low revolutions makes delivery work, with its constant stop-start operation more comfortable for the driver. The EV truck’s low body vibration reduces the load on the driver, and charging and maintenance costs are reduced. The eCanter now also comes with advanced features to better support safety on the road.

eCanter: MFTBC’s all-electric light-duty truck

Mitsubishi Electric

ZEB (net Zero Energy Building)

ZEB is a building that provides a comfortable environment while maintaining annual primary energy consumption at or near zero through energy conservation and creation. As a ZEB consultant and planner in Japan, Mitsubishi Electric works to realize a carbon neutral society. The company is achieving significant building energy savings by supplying customers with comprehensive products that deliver high energy conservation (air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, hot water, elevators and escalators) together with solar power systems,* power substations and its own Building Energy Management System.
* The production and sales of its own brand ended in March 2020.

Target indicators
In line with the Japanese government’s “Basic Energy Plan,” Mitsubishi Electric will strengthen its efforts to contribute to the spread of ZEB by increasing the number of comfortable and energy-efficient building facilities. By helping customers realize ZEB, the company will continue its contribution to environmental conservation.

Attainment
As of September 2020, the company has introduced ZEB in 16 buildings (non-residential). With its ZEB Test Facility completed in October 2020, the company is accelerating its development of energy saving technologies.

The ZEB Test Facility “SUSTIE”

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings

Development of Biodegradable Multilayer Barrier Packaging

Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings (MCHC) subsidiary Mitsubishi Chemical is conducting research into materials that are both biodegradable and have gas-barrier properties, using BioPBS, a plant-derived biodegradable polymer. BioPBS has superior ambient temperature biodegradability over general biodegradable plastics, and is decomposed by microorganisms into carbon dioxide and water. Combining BioPBS and G-Polymer, a specialty PVOH which has gas-barrier properties, with a novel biodegradable adhesive produces a new composite in which each of the multiple layers is biodegradable. The composite is compostable and as a result this product contributes to waste reduction.

Target indicators
Mitsubishi Chemical has been pushing forward the application of its BioPBS composite to coffee capsules because its gas-barrier properties maintain the coffee’s aroma and prevent content deterioration. The company is contributing to food loss reduction by maintaining food product quality, and is lowering environmental load by reducing waste through packaging biodegradability. Having plants reabsorb the carbon dioxide produced in biodegradation of the used plastic product during composting creates a carbon cycle, and this contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Coffee capsules made of biodegradable polymer