Environment
To Sustain Rich Global Environment
Outline
Basic approach
In recent years, with the increasing momentum of ESG, SDGs and carbon neutrality, companies are required to make a higher level of effort than ever before to address global climate change. The Nichireki Group aims to both solve environmental issues, which include realizing a decarbonized and recycling-oriented society and conserving biodiversity, and achieve a high level of sustainable development of its business. To these ends, the Nichireki Group has set up the Environmental Management Committee that deliberates on and examines group-wide initiatives to address general environmental issues including climate change and the evaluation and review of such initiatives. The Nichireki Group also manages environmental measures and ensures the implementation thereof from a sustainability perspective.
Environmental policy and our environmental management system
The Nichireki Group acquired the certification for integrated management system including environmental management system (ISO 14001) in February 2012, in addition to the certification for quality management system (ISO 9001) that has been implemented. Five efforts are specified in our environmental policies that form the backbone of environmental management system. Under those policies, we promote development and provision of eco-friendly products and construction methods, with reducing wastes, saving natural resources and energy, and recycling, while of course complying with laws and regulations, in mind.
Environmental Policies
Environmental Management System (EMS)
Realization of a decarbonized and recycling-oriented society
The Nichireki Group has been working to reduce CO2 emissions to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society through its efforts such as development and supply of products and construction methods that contribute to longer life and recycling of pavements, in addition to cold pavement using asphalt emulsion and reduction of the temperature of mixture production using modified asphalt for warm mix.
Furthermore, we are also working to facilitate the reuse of resources by thoroughly separating recyclables from other garbage at offices as well as to promote green power. We will further accelerate our efforts toward the realization of carbon neutrality (eliminating net emissions of greenhouse gases including CO2) by 2050.
Conservation of biodiversity
Forest thinning is an effort that contributes to the conservation of biodiversity. Felling trees at appropriate intervals in a dense forest allows enough sunlight to reach the trees to form a healthy forest, which enables to protect the habitats of diverse living organisms living in the forest. Timber from forest thinning is used in various ways; however, there are also cases where unused forest-thinning materials are combusted for disposal. Nichireki uses such forest-thinning materials for the pavement of promenades in parks as ASWOOD paving by crushing the materials and mixing them with asphalt emulsion, thereby promoting the use of forest-thinning materials.
Moreover, we have also been contributing to the conservation of ecosystems from a perspective of community contribution activities by, for example, proactively participating in various activities, including cleaning and greening of roads and rivers in the communities where our offices are located.
ASWOOD paving
Our Response to Climate Change
Information Disclosure Based on TCFD Recommendations
The Nichireki Group considers addressing the impact of climate change on its business to be one of its key managerial challenges. Accordingly, we support the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and proactively take measures against climate change.
We clarify the impact on our business of the risks and opportunities brought about by climate change and take measures, thereby enhancing social sustainability and our corporate value while
improving our business continuity.
Governance
In the Nichireki Group, the Board of Directors deliberates on and resolves key matters such as a basic policy for addressing general environmental issues including climate change. Particularly, the Environmental Management Committee, chaired by the President and Representative Director and comprised of General Managers of Corporate Planning, Administration, Business, and Technology Development Divisions, deliberates on and examines how to address group-wide environmental issues. Such deliberated and examined issues are ultimately presented to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is reported and reviews each year the progress of environmental management as well as business risks and growth opportunities related to environmental issues.
Risk Management
In the Nichireki Group, the above-mentioned Environmental Management Committee has a group-wide risk management system that regularly monitors climate change-related risks. In addition, we will seek to advance our approach of appropriately identifying and examining material risks that could significantly impact our business management by, for example, improving our scenario analysis and assessment so as to sufficiently hedge tail risk (the risk of an event with a small probability of happening but could cause enormous losses if once happened).
Strategy
The Nichireki Group identifies climate change-related risks and opportunities from both short-term and medium- to long-term perspectives. The Nichireki Group also performs two types of scenario analysis—the 2℃ scenario with the assumption that the goals of the Paris Agreement will be achieved and the 4℃ scenario with the assumption that no additional policy responses will be provided—, assesses the level of impact of such risks and opportunities on its business, and considers countermeasures. We will assess the resilience of the countermeasures on an ongoing basis and consider new countermeasures as necessary.
Beyond 2℃ scenario
A scenario assuming that countries around the world will have stricter regulations and policies toward decarbonization and accordingly take stricter measures against climate change, and that the increase in the global average temperature will be limited to below 2℃ above pre-industrial levels.
4℃ scenario
A scenario assuming that countries around the world will neither introduce any additional regulations or policies nor take sufficient measures against climate change and that the increase in the global average temperature will be 4℃ above pre-industrial levels.
The NICHIREKI Group’s scenario-based assumption of risks and opportunities, financial and business impact assessment, and countermeasures
Metrics and Targets
The Nichireki Group has set the long-term target of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2050. Taking fully into account the goal set by the government of “aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% from FY2013 by 2030,” the Nichireki Group has also set the medium-term target of “reducing Scope 1 and 2＊1 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from FY2013 by FY2030.”
To achieve these target levels, we will promote the reform of manufacturing methods and others, the purchase of green power and the installation of solar panels. In the medium and long run, we will also proactively use vehicles and construction equipment that use low-carbon fuel, decarbonized fuel, hydrogen and electricity. Furthermore, we will work at increasing sales of eco-friendly products such as longer-life and warm mix modified asphalt and other paving materials, and encouraging the development of low-carbon cold-laid paving materials and construction technology. As for Scope 3, we will first quantify the amount of CO2 emissions for each category, and then consider specific reduction measures together with those for Scope 1 and 2.
- : direct greenhouse gas emissions from the reporting company (fuel combustion and industrial processes)
- : indirect greenhouse gas emissions from consumption of electricity, heat, or steam supplied by other companies
- : other indirect emissions not covered in Scope 1 or 2 (that occur in other companies related to the reporting company’s activities)
CO2 emissions
Overview of CO2 reductions
Environmentally Friendly Products and Methods
The Nichireki Group responds to CO2 emissions reduction needs of its customers and other stakeholders. We have always worked to create eco-friendly roads using asphalt emulsion and other products and construction methods that can be handled at normal temperatures. Besides that, we will respond to further CO2 emissions reduction needs through the supply of “Tastainability®” products and construction methods by adding new performance and functionality, such as longer life and recyclability. We will also work to improve roadside environments, including reducing vibration and noise, ensuring traffic safety, and lowering road surface temperatures, thus contributing to creating sustainable roads. The chart below shows Nichireki’s leading eco-friendly product and construction method groups.
Realizing a low-carbon society
Shifting from merely providing
survey and diagnostic
technologies to designing and
proposing Tastainability®
products and construction methods
Longer life
GLOCAL-EYEZ
GLOCAL-EYEZ allows users to inspect the road surface conditions, such as cracks and rutting, anytime anywhere by shooting the paved road with a smartphone mounted on an ordinary car.
With these features, GLOCAL-EYEZ can support road administrators in processes from daily road management to selection of stretches that need repair work.
Sample images of processes from inspection to analysis
Example of the utilization of inspection results
SMART ROMEN CATCHER FWD
ROMEN CATCHER FWD applies an impact load to the road surface selected as in need of repair work to measure the deflection amount that occurs as a result. This enables non-destructive diagnosis of the structural soundness of the road pavement by identifying which layer is damaged as well as proposal of an appropriate repair method depending on the damage state.
SMART ROMEN CATCHER FWD
Measurement of deflection amount
The combination of long-lasting asphalt mixtures SUPER CONTAINERPHALT and SUPER SHINAYAKAPHALT for road pavement enables longer-life paving than ever. This results in reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 48% in a 50-year pavement life cycle.
SUPER CONTAINERPHALT
SUPER CONTAINERPHALT is a modified asphalt for ultra heavy traffic applications with extremely high plastic deformation resistance.
SUPER CONTAINERPHALT demonstrates high durability even in locations where heavy-duty vehicles operate, such as harbors and airports, contributing to extending the life of pavement.
SUPER CONTAINERPHALT
Conventional asphalt mixture
The temperature of mixture production can be lowered by 30℃ from 185℃ to 155℃ compared to our conventional CONTAINERPHALTS. This enables a reduction in fuel consumption during mixture production, cutting CO2 emissions by approximately 13%.
SUPER SHINAYAKAPHALT
SUPER SHINAYAKAPHALT is a special modified asphalt that is flexible enough to be bent by hands and tough enough to withstand traffic loads.
SUPER SHINAYAKAPHALT with 1.7 times greater performance than conventional asphalt mixture helps extend the life of pavement.
SUPER SHINAYAKAPHALT
Conventional asphalt mixture
The temperature of mixture production can be lowered by 50℃ from 180℃ to 130℃ compared to our conventional SHINAYAKAPHALT. This enables a reduction in fuel consumption during mixture production, cutting CO2 emissions by approximately 22%.
Longer life (bridges)
SMART SHOBAN CATCHER
SMART SHOBAN CATCHER allows users to survey the state of damage on the top surface of concrete bridge deck without removing the asphalt pavement by using an electromagnetic wave technology. AI analysis allows users to quickly assess the degree of damage. Combining this survey with excavation survey depending on the state of damage enables a more accurate repair design.
SMART SHOBAN CATCHER
Sample images of processes from inspection to analysis
Progress in deterioration of bridge deck
When water seeps into a concrete deck, which supports the pavement of the bridge, reinforcing bars inside the deck corrode and expand, resulting in cracks on the deck. The propagation of cracks results in crumbling of concrete and other severe damage; therefore, it is necessary to construct a highly durable bridge deck waterproofing layer.
Nichireki proposes a highly durable bridge deck waterproofing method appropriate to the situation and conditions of each individual construction site.
Highly durable bridge deck waterproofing methods
A bridge is an important lifeline that connects people, transportation, and economy. Therefore, it must be durable enough not to disrupt daily lives. Increasing the durability of bridges enables a reduction in repair frequency, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 50% to 75% in a 50-year pavement life cycle.
Highly durable bridge deck waterproofing methods Nichireki offers are as follows.
HQ PAVERANE construction method
This construction method provides outstanding shear fatigue resistance, which has passed a load test that applies a crack opening/closing load equivalent to 30 years of use. As this is a high-performance pavement waterproofing method, which protects deck from de-icing agents and airborne salts, it contributes to extending the life of pavement.
HQ HIBRANE AU construction method
This is a highly durable asphalt-urethane membrane-type waterproofing method for bridge deck, which has passed the performance standards that apply a load equivalent to 30 years of use.
MULTI FRESH construction method
This is a composite waterproofing method applying a primer that permeates into cracks on the top surface of concrete deck and a highly durable hot-applied asphalt membrane-type waterproofing material. This method would improve the stiffness and fatigue resistance of deck, contributing to extending the life of pavement.
If either of HQ HIBRANE AU construction method or MULTI FRESH construction method is selected, a further extension of pavement life can be expected by laying a long-lasting asphalt mixture (REKIPHALT SUPER) on the waterproofing layer.
REKIPHALT SUPER
REKIPHALT SUPER is a polymer modified asphalt with outstanding workability and resistance to stripping. It enables to obtain mixtures with a high degree of compaction, regardless of the timing of construction, resulting in longer life pavement.
We recycle the existing pavement whose damage has become more severe and widespread, and construct new pavement at present location (STABICEMENT RC construction method). We then use a long-lasting asphalt mixture (SUPER SHINAYAKAPHALT) on the reconstructed pavement. This hybrid method enables longer-life paving than ever, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 49% in a 50-year pavement life cycle.
SUPER SHINAYAKAPHALT
SUPER SHINAYAKAPHALT is a special modified asphalt that is flexible enough to be bent by hands and tough enough to withstand traffic loads.
STABI-CEMENT RC construction method
We crush the existing pavement whose damage has become more severe and widespread at present location, and, at the same time, mix it with asphalt emulsion (cold) and cement to construct new pavement.
Damaged road pavement
Construction with a road stabilizer
Most of the existing pavement is used as it is on-site, reducing the frequency of carrying in and out of materials. This contributes to energy conservation, effective use of resources, and reduction in CO2 emissions. Particularly, this enables an approximately 80% reduction in pavement debris from the site per construction work.
We started to implement i-Construction (an initiative to promote the use of ICT at construction sites) in a STABI-CEMENT RC construction method. This enables real-time monitoring of construction data even from a remote location, contributing to productivity improvement at construction sites. This also enables construction of higher-quality base course by enhancing construction accuracy, extending the life of pavement.
ASWOOD paving
This is wood-based (wood chip) paving using a rubber modified asphalt emulsion ASWOOD Emulsion, which has outstanding flexibility, and wood chips.
As it is possible to carry out mixture production to construction at normal temperature, this method is friendly to the environment and reduces CO2 emissions by approximately 34%, compared to the typical pavement using hot mix.
Using forest-thinning materials and other resources without combusting prevents CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere and contains CO2 as it is within the materials and resources (CO2 fixation). For example, when we construct 1,000 m2 of pavement with 4 cm in thickness using the ASWOOD paving method, we can fix approximately 18 t of CO2, which is equivalent to the amount absorbed by 1,300 Japanese cedar trees per year. This method also enables the utilization of trees damaged by pine weevils and Japanese oak wilt disease as well as bamboos from an abandoned bamboo forest.
Self-propelled conveyable wood timber crusher
ASWOOD paving has outstanding water permeability and cushioning properties, making it easy on the feet of walkers and runners and preventing the formation of puddles. Further, its gentle texture that blends in with the surrounding natural scenery brings comfort and relaxation to people.
ASWOOD paving
Nichireki supports the purpose of “Wood Change” promoted by the Forestry Agency as activities to change to a sustainable society through the use of wood and is actively driving efforts to promote wood utilization.
Improving roadside environments
NICHIREKI is committed to being environmentally friendly with products and construction methods that reduce vibrations and noise.
SUPER ROMENPATCH
Reducing vibration and noise
SUPER ROMENPATCH is a cold applied asphalt emulsion mixture with outstanding wear resistance used for repair of bumps on roads.
This is an eco-friendly material as it enables construction at normal temperature.
As construction does not require machinery, the work can be easily done.
SUPER ROMENPATCH
After construction
RESCUEPATCH
Reducing vibration and noise
RESCUEPATCH is a cold applied mixture (patching material) with outstanding durability used for repair of potholes on roads.
This is an eco-friendly material as it enables construction at normal temperature.
This also enables construction even when the construction surface is wet by rain or snow.
RESCUEPATCH
After construction
Chemiphalt MX
Reducing water splash and noise
Chemiphalt MX is porous paving that prevents water from being accumulated on the road surface in rainy weather. This paving prevents slipping, water splash, and deterioration of visibility during driving, reducing traffic accidents. This also reduces noise from the road surface caused by driving.
Chemiphalt MX has outstanding aggregate scattering resistance and demonstrates high durability, contributing to extending the life of pavement.
Conventional paving
Porous paving
MR2 method
Reducing vibration and noise
MR² method is a construction method to repair bumps between manholes and pavement with less vibration and noise. The material cures quickly, enabling construction in a short time.
As a cold-applied mixture is used for construction around manholes, this method is friendly to the environment, and does not cause lack of compaction due to a decrease in temperature, contributing to extending the life of pavement.
During construction (removal of a manhole)
After construction
Seamless joint
Reducing vibration and noise
Seamless joint is an embedded-type expansion joint used to embed bridge joints. As steel and rubber parts are not exposed on the road surface, this enables smooth driving of vehicles.
Seamless joint has outstanding water shut-off performance and quality stability, which allow it to be used over a long period, contributing to extending the life of bridges.
Seamless joint
After construction
Road marking
Ensuring traffic safetyUsing road makings that appear to be three-dimensional and color paving visually alerts drivers to reduce driving speed and prevents them from accidentally entering the wrong lane, thereby contributing to ensuring traffic safety.
Road makings that appear to be three-dimensional
Dedicated ETC lane marking on the Metropolitan Expressway