Ways of Thinking about Water Resource Conservation
It is said that available fresh water is only about 0.01% of the Earth's total water resources. We understand that the water crisis is one of the global risks, considering further increase in water consumption because of economic growth and population increases in near future.
As risks of extreme water shortages is becoming higher as one of social issues, the Panasonic Group has been working to conserve water resources both in its products and production activities, in order to fulfill its social responsibility and to reduce risks in the management. Our Environmental Policy sets that we make efforts to conserve water resources by using water efficiently and preventing water pollution. We are working hard to reduce water usage in our business activities and through our products and services by setting water resource conservation in Our GREEN IMPACT PLAN 2024 as one of the continuing efforts. As for risk management, we had conducted water conservation activities, aiming to complete our water risk assessment at all our production sites by fiscal 2019, and have completed 100% of the assessments.
Specifically, we evaluated the scale of water risk at all regions where our production sites are located, in order to identify and mitigate effects of water on our business activities. In the evaluation, we utilized evaluation tools such as Aqueduct supplied by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Water Risk Filter supplied by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), which can evaluate risks in various aspects; not only from physical risks such as water shortages, but also from the risks in water-related regulations as well as reputation risks in each region. We also made use of public databases available from respective national governments.
In areas with higher water risks, we collected information through public local information as well as through hearings with relevant organizations, etc. By conducting detailed analyses and close examination of the local information and the site data including water use volumes, we, more specifically, identified the effects on our business activities. We steadily proceeded processes of the water risk assessments, and in fiscal 2018, completed water risk assessments at all of our production sites of the Panasonic Group. None of our production sites is under water stress. At present, no water risks that could affect the Panasonic Group's business activities have been reported. Yet, we will continue to make efforts to reduce water consumption in our production activities in the future under the water risk assessment that had been implemented.
For promoting these activities, the Panasonic Group have established a structure for the promotion of environmental management, including water management. We are now conducting environmental activities using PDCA cycle under the structure, and are upgrading the environmental management level. In addition, we have organized an Environmental Risk Management Structure to continuously reduce environmental risks; under the structure, we (1) identify environmental risks and promote risk management in the whole Panasonic Group every fiscal year and (2) promptly respond to the risk when it arises. Through these activities, we will continue to manage our environmental risks.
Moreover, the Panasonic Group has participated in the Water Project, a public-private partnership project aimed at boosting awareness of water conservation, which was launched under the initiative of Japan's Ministry of the Environment in 2014. Objectives of the project are to maintain a sound water cycle and promote its recovery. The project distributes water-related activities conducted by corporations, and water-related information including importance of water. The Panasonic Group will work in cooperation with the Japanese government and other companies to conserve water resources.
Water Resource Conservation through Products
By thoroughly analyzing the use of water through our products, we have developed functionalities that allow a considerable amount of water conservation by utilizing water at a maximum level through improvement of water flow control and cyclic use. We continue to develop products with low water usage.
Dishwasher-dryer (tabletop dishwasher)
The tabletop dishwasher reduces the user's household chores as well. It also helps reduce the amount of water used for dishwashing.
Including SOLOTA, a one-person tabletop dishwasher launched in 2023, we have a product lineup that accommodates a wide range of family configurations and installation environments, including 5, 4, 3, and 1 person dishwashers, to meet user demand.
The amount of water used compared to washing by hand is about 1/6 for 5 people (saving about 32 bottles of about 11 L 2 L compared to about 75 L for washing by hand), about 1/5 for 4 people, about 1/4 for 3 people, and about 1/8 for 1 person, which contributes to saving water when washing dishes.
In addition, models equipped with ECONAVI can detect dirt conditions and adjust the water supply temperature during cleaning and the heating temperature during drying, thereby reducing power consumption by approximately 5% and operating time by approximately four minutes, thereby contributing to power savings. (*)
*For NP-TZ300 and NP-TH4. These are the maximum values, and the effect depends on the amount of tableware, dirt, and room temperature.
LX series of diagonal drum washer-dryers
Compared with vertical washing machines, the LX series of diagonal drum washer-dryers can save about 30% of the electricity used during washing and about 67 L of water used, contributing to the conservation of water resources. In addition, the triple automatic loading of liquid detergents and fabric softeners prevents too much detergent from being added, thereby reducing environmental impact. Extra large refills can also reduce plastic use in detergent containers by about 88%.
Rhythm e Shower Plus
By changing the flow rate and temperature of the shower at a constant rhythm, we achieved energy savings of up to 20% and water savings of up to 10%.
A single sensor and flow sensor detect the use of the shower and a flow control valve and control technology allow the shower flow to fluctuate at high speed.
*Rated on our company's own terms. The numbers are strictly nominal and vary depending on usage.
*According to JIS C 9220 load condition of household heat pump water heater at our company test facility. Summer hot water heating mode Heating conditions: Outside air temperature (dry-bulb temperature/wet-bulb temperature) 25 degrees C/21 degrees C Water temperature 24 degrees C Hot water set temperature 40 degrees C Direct hot water supply and shower use time 5 minutes/time (when using bathroom shower only). Total shower flow: Rhythm e Shower Plus ON (setting: strong) 45 L/OFF 50 L JP, J, W, FP, F Series Energy saving in full auto: Rhythm e Shower Plus ON (setting: strong) 2.6 MJ/OFF shower heat 3.3 MJ Water saving condition: Rhythm e Shower Plus ON (setting: strong) 8~10 L/min Shower flow in OFF 10 L/min
Flat range hood with cleaning function
The range hood is easy to get greasy stains and uses about 28 liters of water per cleaning.
Equipped with ECONAVI, the DW series flat range hood with washing function automatically cleans greasy dirt collected by the fan filter by simply filling hot water in the hot water tray, setting it in the main body and pressing the "wash" button. Cleaning every 2 months or so allows cleaning without removing the fan filter for 10 years. About 99% less water than conventional care *1
The DE series, which went on sale in September 2020, not only prevents oil from sticking to the blades because of its unique coating that repels oil from sticking to the blades, but also reduces blade cleaning to about once every 3 years *2 thanks to the "oil tornado function" that spins the fan at high speed to release oil stains on the blades by centrifugal force before the end of operation.
*1 The amount of water used is based on the company's own standards. Comparison of water volume between monthly (twice every two months) conventional care and bimonthly automatic cleaning
*2 Comparison of oil collection efficiency (range hood fan) test of filters of Better Living Quality Housing Parts Evaluation Criteria Ventilation Unit (kitchen fan)
Toilet
A full automatic cleaning toilet "A La Uno" reduces annual water consumption to approx. one third*3 compared with that of the conventional toilets. Panasonic's unique water-saving technology "Turn trap method" enables to use water efficiently. In addition to the use of organic glass-based new materials that prevent stains from sticking to a toilet, "Triple stain guard" that prevents stains caused by urine splash enables to reduce the frequency of toilet cleaning and save water used for cleaning.
In FY2019, we have strengthened interior design, launching more colorful top covers and arm rests, in order to expand its sales into shops and hotels that provide comfortable restrooms, increasing an opportunity to save water in public spaces as well as in houses.
*3 In comparison with water consumption of Panasonic's siphon jet toilet (CH43) launched around 1990.
Initiatives for Water Resource Conservation through Production Activities
By collecting and reusing wastewater from our manufacturing processes and air conditioning systems, the Panasonic Group has been reducing the amount of makeup water used and wastewater effluent. Through these activities, we reduce environmental loads on water resources due to the intake and effluent of water in production activities.
As many regions around the world are threatened by water shortages, the Panasonic Group has been conducting production activities, balancing water resource conservation in focused regions.
The amount of water used at factories in fiscal 2023 resulted in 15.27 million m3, which is reduced by 11.4% versus the fiscal 2022. The water used at our factories per basic unit of production*4 got better year-on-year thanks to positive effects of the structural reform.
Our use of recycled water*5 in fiscal 2023 was 1.55 million m3, accounting for 10.2% of the total amount of water used. The amount of discharged water in fiscal 2021, 2022, and 2023 resulted in 14.81 million m3, 13.39 million m3, 11.78 million m3, respectively.
*4 Water used at factories per basic unit of production = Water used at factories / Production volume.
*5 The calculation excludes the water circulating for a single purpose (e.g. water in a cooling tower).
Water Consumption in Production Activities and Water Consumption Per Basic Unit
Note: Then-SANYO Electric and Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display not included in fiscal 2010.
FY2023 Breakdown of Water Consumption (by region)
Panasonic Industry Co., Ltd. (54 sites), uses the highest amount of water in all operating companies in the Panasonic Group. The company managed to achieve a year-on-year decrease of 18.0% in water consumption (6.47 million m3) in fiscal 2023, thanks to their focused efforts and business restructuring. The achievement rate for reducing the amount of water used per basic unit was 103%.
Against the backdrop of the increasing occurrence of natural disasters in recent years, such as earthquake and flood disasters, Panasonic Industry Co., Ltd. Saga site achieved a reduction of environmental risk and environmental impact, considering a possible chemical leakage from the outdoor storage site in the company premises. This was accomplished by replacing their water purification system, which used a chemical-based regeneration method for the ion-exchange resins, to a system that uses an electrical regeneration method.
At the same time, the company installed a wastewater collection system that separates the wastewater generated by the water purification into concentrated wastewater and collection water. The company is now able to reduce the water consumption for the entire factory by 18 thousand m3 per year by reusing the collection water.
Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. has been implementing the following initiatives for water resource conservation.
- The Dalian Factory in China altered the toilet drain tanks to ones with a sensor type solenoid valve. With its push-button system, they can save 6 liters of water per flush (water consumption decreased from 10 liters to 4 liters per flush).
- The water supply piping of the water purification system for LCD processes was investigated at the Matsumoto Factory, and a siphon phenomenon was found. By preventing it with valves, the factory has successfully reduced the amount of discharged water.
The following operating companies have been working on initiatives with water consumption targets established.
Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd.: (Target) 1.82 (Actual) 1.75 million m3
Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.: (Target) 0.46 (Actual) 0.415 million m3
Panasonic Group will continue our efforts to conserve water resources.
