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.

The Otsuka group is promoting modal shifting as part of Otsuka’s efforts to address the environmental impact of its logistics operations. Shipping of drinks and other products is being shifted from trucks to ocean or railway transport, both of which are more environmentally friendly and better suited for mass transport. When trucks are necessary for medium and long distance transport, Otsuka Warehouse uses shared logistics platforms that enable it to decrease the number of necessary delivery vehicles; this innovation has effectively reduced CO2 emissions.

The Otsuka group is focused on improving energy use efficiency in buildings and fuel efficiency in business vehicles. Environmental managers from across the Otsuka group gather together to share information on energy-saving activities in offices to promote each company’s initiatives.
In addition to working to optimize daily energy use, the Otsuka group strives for efficient lighting and air conditioning use in offices. Employees participate in Warm Biz and Cool Biz campaigns that encourage appropriate seasonal office attire. The group has supported declaring no-overtime days and use of air circulators. LED lighting is also being progressively introduced. Actions taken to reduce paper use in printers have raised awareness about paper and energy conservation. Transition to hybrid and fuel-efficient business vehicles is in effect. In fiscal 2016, the green vehicle usage rates for Otsuka Foods, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, and Taiho Pharmaceutical were 92%, 87%, 84%, and 69%, respectively. Additionally the group promotes eco-friendly driving habits with attention on safe driving and accident prevention.
The Kobe Branch of Otsuka Pharmaceutical has cooperated with internal and external parties to reduce its energy consumption; it has updated lighting, humidification, and air conditioning equipment in its rented office space. In addition to these updates, the branch continues to take comprehensive measures such as implementing plan-do-check-act cycles to find new and improved ways to save energy. The Kobe Branch received a 2016 Kansai Eco Office Award from the Union of Kansai Governments for their innovations. Based on the cooperation of seven Kansai prefectures, the Union of Kansai Governments promotes disaster prevention, tourism, culture, industry, healthcare, and environmental conservation.



 

The Otsuka group is actively pursuing clean energy. It is working to reduce CO2 emissions by installing solar power generation systems. Otsuka Techno has introduced solar power generation at the Naruto head office, Mold Center, and the Wajiki No. 4 Factory. EN Otsuka Pharmaceutical has installed photovoltaic solar panels at its Hanamaki Factory, which partially power the employee cafeteria. Solar panels were installed for the IV solutions information center at the Naruto Factory of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory. The amount of electricity generated and the level of CO2 emissions reduction are displayed on an indoor monitor. This display serves to raise the environmental awareness of employees and communicates energy-saving efforts to visitors at the center. Ridge Vineyards—the group's winery in the United States—has installed 400 rooftop solar panels, which supply 40% of the facility’s electricity.

Every year offices and factories in the Otsuka group grow bitter gourd, morning glory, and other vine plants in their offices and plants to cover sunny windows in order to create green curtains that lower the indoor temperatures and save energy. Large mature leaves help block the strong sunlight in summer, and drop room temperatures by three degrees. Produce harvested from these window plantings is featured on lunch menus in employee cafeterias. This initiative raises conservation awareness, and encourages employees to growing other edible vines such as passion fruit.