Effective Use of Water Resources
The SUMCO Group (Japan) recognizes that water is an essential resource in the manufacturing of silicon wafers. Therefore, the SUMCO Group (Japan) has set environmental objectives aimed at reducing water consumption and is working to effectively use water resources at all manufacturing bases.
The water recycling rate of the SUMCO Group (Japan) in 2024 was 37.0%.
- Data of High-Purity Silicon Corporation has been incorporated since 2024.
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Amount of Water Recycled and Rate of Recycle (SUMCO Group [Japan])
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Amount of Water Supplied and Discharged (SUMCO Group [Japan])
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Amount of Water Consumption by Water Source (SUMCO Group [Japan])
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Amount of Water Supplied per Product (Sale) (SUMCO Group [Japan])
At our plants in Japan and overseas, we utilize the reject water generated in the water purification process as cooling water for utility facilities and dilution water for wastewater treatment chemicals. We are also working to conserve as much water as possible for recycling, such as collecting the rinse water used to clean silicon wafers.
Water usage intensity goal (SUMCO Group/ domestic)
To make effective use of water resources, we set a water usage intensity goal in 2021.
We consider the amount of water supplied to factories as the amount of water usage when calculating the intensity, and aim to reduce the intensity by promoting water recycling in our corporate activities.
| Target Year | 2030 |
|---|---|
| Goal | 10.0% reduction from 2020 (1.0% reduction per year) |
| Initiatives | Promoting water recycling |
Water Recycle Flow (SUMCO Group)
Cooperation with Stakeholders
- Disclosures through CDP (Water Security)
The SUMCO Group disseminates information regarding its ESG efforts to a wide range of stakeholders.
Starting 2021, we respond to the water security questionnaire conducted by the CDP, which publishes information on companies’ environmental initiatives according to common measures.
Water-stressed Areas
The SUMCO Group investigates water stress using the AQUEDUCT tools provided by the WRI*1. The following shows the results of the 2024 investigation.
| Operating Base | Water Stress*2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Includes SUMCO Group companies in Japan | Kyushu Factory (Nagahama, Imari) | 2 |
| Kyushu Factory (Kubara, Imari) | 2 | |
| Kyushu Factory (Saga) | 2 | |
| Kyushu Factory (Nagasaki) | 2 | |
| Yonezawa Plant | 2 | |
| Chitose Plant | 1 | |
| JSQ Division | 2 | |
| SUMCO TECHXIV Corp. Nagasaki Plant | 2 | |
| SUMCO TECHXIV Corp. Miyazaki Plant | 1 | |
| SUMCO Technology Corp. Noda Plant | 3 | |
| High-Purity Silicon Corp. Yokkaichi Plant | 2 | |
| High-Purity Silicon Corp. Suzuka Plant | 2 | |
| SUMCO Group Companies Overseas | SUMCO Phoenix Corporation | 5 |
| PT. SUMCO Indonesia | 4 | |
| FORMOSA SUMCO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION | 2 | |
| High-Purity Silicon America Corporation | 3 | |
- WRI: The World Resources Institute. A U.S. policy center.
- Water stress: Evaluated on a scale of 1-5. The higher the number, the more water-stressed the area is.
Production sites that score 4 or higher on WRI's AQUEDUCT 5-point scale are considered to be sites in water-stressed areas. These sites are as follows.
- SUMCO Phoenix Corporation
- PT. SUMCO Indonesia
Water Supplied at sites located in water-stressed areas
(Mm3/year)
| 5 years prior (2020) | 4 years prior (2021) | 3 years prior (2022) | 2 years prior (2023) | Last year (2024) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPX | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| SPTI | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Total | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.7 |