The Otsuka group aims to help prevent global warming by promoting both tangible energy-saving activities, such as equipment updating, and intangible activities, including operational improvements. In Tokushima, where most of the group’s production facilities are located, the Tokushima Factory of Otsuka Chemical has installed a gas turbine cogeneration system, which supplies power and steam to various group companies in the same district. In addition, the Fukuroi Factory of Otsuka Pharmaceutical has introduced a system that uses energy from hot wastewater generated by sterilization processes during manufacturing to provide air conditioning for low-humidity rooms.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory has a committee operating at each of its production sites comprised of members from all departments and headed by the plant manager and energy managers in order to promote plant-wide energy conservation activities. Further efforts were made in 2016 by creating an energy conservation subcommittee at the Matsushige Factory, and a VE team at the Toyama Factory.
Otsuka Techno is aggressively pursuing energy-saving measures because most of its energy use is electric. Abnormal weather in recent years has generated more hot summer days with higher daily temperatures. In response, the company seeks to tighten control of peak power use through the installation of demand monitoring systems at the Naruto and Wajiki Factories.
The Hanamaki Factory of EN Otsuka Pharmaceutical aims to reduce power consumption through progressively switching to LED lighting and higher efficiency cooling equipment. Otsuka Chemical is reducing power through smarter use of power equipment such as controlling the number of operating units, shortening operating hours, and adjusting settings.
In Indonesia, Amerta Indah Otsuka, which manufactures and sells POCARI SWEAT, has installed a cogeneration system at two of its plants to enhance supply stability and save energy. In addition to its ISO 14001 certification, the company also acquired ISO 50001 in 2015, a certification that focuses on energy management.
China Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Guangdong Otsuka Pharmaceutical, which manufacture IV solutions, Otsuka Sims (Guangdong) Beverage, a maker of POCARI SWEAT in China, and Egypt Otsuka Pharmaceutical, which makes IV solutions, have reduced their environmental impact by converting fuel sources from coal and heavy oil to natural gas and diesel. The group is making further improvements, including changing the set pressure in a once-through boiler, installing demand-monitoring devices, and shifting peak demand through production adjustments for products that require significant energy to manufacture.


- Global Warming Prevention Efforts by the Whole Factory
Yasuji Sakamoto Facilities Maintenance and Engineering, Naruto Factory
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc
The department is engaged in an innovative, cooperative effort with the manufacturing department to convert recovered heat from high-temperature wastewater generated in the manufacturing process into usable energy for boilers. This conversion process has reduced CO2 emissions by 670 tons in 2016. At the Naruto Factory, all employees are dedicated to ensuring a stable supply of high-quality products, while working to prevent global warming.