Prevention of Pollution

Management of Chemical Substances

The Hitachi Construction Machinery Group is promoting the prohibition and reduction of the use of hazardous chemical substances in products and production activities. For chemical substances where reduction proves difficult, we are striving to restrict emissions and prevent pollution of the atmosphere, waterways, and ground. Furthermore, towards the goal of restricting the emissions of these hazardous waste materials, we are reducing the ratio of VOC emissions into the atmosphere through robotization and converting to substances with small amounts of VOCs (process improvement) such as electro-deposition coating and high-solid paints.

With regards to the chemical substances found in our products, we adhere to emissions restrictions and European REACH regulations etc., and provide the world with products which have passed strict emissions standards. As for products including hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders etc., we provide models which have passed not only the standards of Japan’s 2014 Off-road Act, but also Europe’s (Stage V), and America’s (Final Tier 4), and we have constrained to a great degree SOx (Sulfur Oxide), NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) and PM (Particulate Matter) emissions. These models are equipped with a newly designed next-generation engine, and make available construction machinery with superior green credentials, fuel efficiency, durability, and reliability.

Engaging with European and U.S. Regulations

With regards to chemicals in products, in FY2010 we developed the “Hitachi Construction Machinery Chemical Substance Management Information System” which is universally available to production facilities both inside and outside of Japan. Through this we calculate whether product/parts units contain SVHCs^*1, and if so, what amount and to what ratio, allowing us to build a structure that complies with the EU REACH Regulation.
The chemical examination utilizes a JAPIA Standard Material Datasheet^*2 in an effort to reduce the burden on procurement partners. Moreover, to improve the accuracy of data and the efficiency of the examination, we hold periodic briefings for  procurement partners.

In recent years, concerns have arisen over the environmental pollution and impacts on the human body caused by PFAS (fluorinated organic compounds), and restrictions on its use are being implemented in some countries. In order to fulfill the obligation to register with the United States Environmental Protection Agency in November 2024 regarding the reporting of regulated contents and the prohibition of the use of products containing PFAS, in FY2023 we have begun an investigation into the presence of PFAS in our products.

Much focus is given these days to carbon-neutral bio-fuel. Through our sales distribution networks around the world, HCM promotes the use of various alternative fuels that comply with the EU quality standard EN15940. We also support the use of paraffinic hydrocarbon fuels that can contribute to cleaner exhaust gas (less PM (particulate matter), HC (hydrocarbons), and CO (carbon monoxide) etc.).

∗1: SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern)
∗2: A form for the examination of chemicals contained in products that was standardized based on an agreement between the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and the Japan Auto Parts Industries Association (JAPIA).

Related Information

Engaging with the PRTR Act

We properly monitor, control, and report the amount of substances emitted*1 and transferred*2 of the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) emitted into the environment.
We use a chemical substance management system to aggregate the purchase amount, calculate the amount of chemical substance emissions based on the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) of purchased products, and grasp the emission status. To reduce chemical substance emissions, we drive initiatives such as green procurement and switching to alternative materials.

In FY2023, the atmospheric emission ratio decreased to 34% due to the shift to low-VOC paints and other measures. The amount of substances subject to the PRTR Law handled was 987 tons.

*1 Substances emitted: total amount of substances released into the air, into the public water supply, and into the soil at or buried on the premises.
*2 Substances transferred: total amount of substances released into the sewerage system and moved off the premises

Management of Chemical Substances

Hitachi Construction Machinery Group is promoting the prohibition and reduction of the use of chemical substances in product use and production activities. For chemical substances where reduction proves difficult, we are striving to restrict emissions and prevent pollution of the atmosphere, waterways, and soil. HCM Group is committed to global environmental preservation through advanced safety reviews of new chemicals and management of chemicals and waste water.

Most of the emissions that we release are volatile organic compounds (VOC) contained in paint, solvents, etc. We have set VOC emission reduction targets, and are steadily replacing these with substances containing less VOC’s in order to reduce the emission of such substances.

In FY2023, we have been continuously promoting the conversion to low-VOC paints such as high-solid paints, the improvement of painting efficiency through robotization, and the introduction of VOC recovery equipment. We are restructuring our factories and introducing highly efficient painting equipment to reduce the amount of paint used, thereby promoting VOC reduction.

Substances prohibited by Hitachi Construction Machinery, including asbestos

Treatment of chemical substances contained in material procurement

The Hitachi Construction Machinery Group is systematically working to eliminate harmful substances that affect on human health and the environment, based on laws relating to regulations on the inspection and manufacture etc. of chemical substances (Type-1 Special Chemical Substances), REACH regulations, residual organic pollutants, the Stockholm Treaty (POPs), the Order for the Enforcement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. List of component prohibition substances is regularly updated in line with international regulations and applies to all our operations such as sourcing of goods, product development, production processes, products, packaging materials and service activities.

“Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts and PFOA-related substances”, which were newly banned in May 2019, have been added to the prohibited substances.

*Refer to the link below for details of substances and substance groups

PCB Waste Management

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is said to cause societal problems with its effects on the human body and its pollution of the environment.

Transformers, condensers, and fluorescent light stabilizers which use PCB are appropriately stored/managed and shipped according to laws relating to waste processing and cleaning, and the Act on Special Measures Concerning the Correct Processing of PCB Waste Material (the PCB Special Measures Act). We are proceeding appropriate treatment according to our plan.

Prevention of Air, Water, and Land Pollution etc.

Air pollution via substances such as SOx and NOx is one cause of asthma and acid rain. Furthermore, COD is an indicator which shows organic contamination in lakes/oceans (contamination level), and BOD is an indicator which shows organic contamination in rivers (contamination level).

The Hitachi Construction Machinery Group has established voluntary standards that are stricter than the legal standards of each country and municipality, and is working to prevent air and water pollution so that measures can be taken before legal standards are exceeded.

In terms of soil contamination, our standard is to conduct a soil survey prior to any new land acquisition and to purchase land in consideration of the risk of soil contamination and its impact on the project. We manage the use of appropriate chemical substances, facilities where chemical substances are used, and storage facilities by implementing measures to prevent leakage or periodic inspections of chemical substances to prevent their seepage into the soil.