With a commitment to “meeting society’s needs with nature’s blessings,” the Air Water Group is using the communication message represented by the sustainable development goals (SDGs) developed by the UN to contribute to a sustainable society for the benefit of the planet through our SDG-focused business operations.
Across all its various businesses, the Air Water Group utilizes air, water, and other resources in combination with its accumulated expertise, diverse technologies, and unique business model. The results are products, services, and solutions that have become indispensable to our lives and industry. In short, through our varied business operations we are utilizing the blessings of this planet to contribute to the emergence of a sustainable society for the benefit of the entire Earth. In this way, we are working toward achieving the stated targets of the SDGs. Therefore, our Group is dedicated to engaging in sustainable business operations for the health of the environment, which is the source of every one of nature’s blessings. At the same time, it is clear that we cannot solve the various issues facing society today unless our society is sustainable and compatible with a healthy planet.
As an initiative to promote the SDGs and as a result of the relationship between our business operations and the SDG targets, the Air Water Group has reaffirmed that the management of our conglomerate itself represents a source of inspired innovation capable of positively addressing the many environmental and social issues we face collectively. In light of the fact that we are engaged in a broad range of businesses, we are pleased to introduce here the businesses we operate (under the SDG business model) to achieve the targets of the SDGs.
Industrial equipment, in-plant manufacturing, and the provision of oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and other industrial gases
In our industrial gas business, we have reduced our energy consumption by developing and operating plants recognized for their high efficiency.
Having established a nationwide network of compact VSU plants for production of liquefied oxygen and liquefied nitrogen, we offer the benefit of optimal transportation routes while accommodating the objectives of our business continuity plan. Moreover, we have reduced our CO\( \sf _2 \) emissions by minimizing the transportation distances covered by our delivery vehicles.
Relevant SDGs
Related Business Operations
Example Cases (SDG Business Model)
- Reducing environmental impacts by improving plant efficiency
- Reducing CO\( \sf _2 \) emissions by minimizing transportation distances
- Establishing a dispersed gas production network as an objective of our business continuity plan
- ・VSU
Raw materials for agricultural chemicals as well as intermediates for pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals
With our chemical products, we provide functional materials that include intermediates for pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals to meet customer needs and applications.
Relevant SDGs
Related Business Operations
Example Cases (SDG Business Model)
- Development and production of pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical intermediates
- Providing customers with innovative products that help reduce environmental impacts
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Medical gases, hospital equipment, medical devices, hospital services, home medical care, syringes, dental materials, and sanitary products
We support advanced medical care and regenerative medicine, as these represent advances that remain at the forefront of medical care. We also support advanced telemedicine systems to help eliminate the shortage of medical personnel and improve access within the local community. In addition, we contribute to healthier lives for people of all ages through social welfare and long-term care, home medical care, and preventive health care related to infectious disease control and self-medication.
Relevant SDGs
Related Business Operations
Example Cases (SDG Business Model)
- Providing products and services related to advanced medicine and regenerative medicine
- Providing products and services closely tied to our daily lives
- Providing products and services related to infection control
- ・Home oxygen therapy
- ・Viami assistive devices for bathing
LPG, kerosene, LNG, and energy-related equipment
We supply LPG and LNG, which impart a low environmental load; promote fuel conversion from heavy oil and coal, which are associated with a high environmental load; and develop and provide related equipment.
By utilizing disaster-resistant LPG, we are contributing to disaster-resilient community development.
Relevant SDGs
Related Business Operations
Example Cases (SDG Business Model)
- Reducing environmental impacts by promoting fuel conversion
- Providing services that contribute to affluent lifestyles
- Disaster-resilient community development
- ・Promotion of LPG/LNG fuel conversion
- ・Hybrid air conditioning/hot water supply systems
Agricultural processing, fruit and vegetable distribution, frozen foods, and beverage manufacturing on consignment
We provide safe, secure, and healthful foods and beverages through stable procurement of high-quality ingredients. We are also addressing various issues such as the adoption of environment-friendly packaging materials and containers as well as the reduction of food waste and food loss.
Relevant SDGs
Related Business Operations
Example Cases (SDG Business Model)
- Providing foods and ingredients that are safe, secure, and healthful
- Improving agricultural productivity through the cultivation of crops within glass greenhouses
- Reducing the environmental impact of containers used in our beverage business
- Reduction of food waste and food loss
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Logistics of high-pressure gases, food, medical products, and the manufacturing of specialized vehicles
By focusing on modal shifts and the development of logistics bases to create optimized distribution networks, we have achieved more efficient distribution as well as reduced CO\( \sf _2 \) emissions.
Moreover, by collecting and transporting industrial and medical waste, we are building a clean logistics network for proper resource recycling and waste disposal. We are also implementing reverse logistics (disposal, collection, returns, etc.) in order to contribute to the emergence of a society committed to resource recycling.
Relevant SDGs
Related Business Operations
Example Cases (SDG Business Model)
- Reducing environmental impacts through logistics services
- Instituting reverse logistics such as food recycling and collection of medical waste
- ・Improved logistics efficiency through trailer transport
- ・Plasma transport system
Sea salt production, environmental products, water treatments, and magnesium extraction
Making full use of marine water resources, we refine salt from seawater and extract magnesium from brine as a by-product. In addition, we generate the electricity required for the salt production process through woody biomass power generation, which is a form of renewable energy. Moreover, the steam we generate during the power generation process is reused.
We have also been engaged in the construction of urban infrastructure projects such as water purification, development of soil immobilization agents to reduce environmentally hazardous substances, and rehabilitation of sewer pipes.
Relevant SDGs
Related Business Operations
Example Cases (SDG Business Model)
- Use of by-products from the salt production process
- Use of clean electricity from woody biomass
- Urban infrastructure development, provision of environmental products
- ・Resource recycling flow of the salt production business
- ・Power generation using biomass fuel
Aerosol products (cosmetics, hair sprays and other personal-use products; paints and other industrial-use products)
Relevant SDGs
Related Business Operations
Example Cases (SDG Business Model)
- Switching to materials with low environmental impact (green refrigerants and the like)
- Providing ethical products and healthful products
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Power generation, eco-friendly building materials made of recycled wood, metal surface treatments, and O-rings
Relevant SDGs
Related Business Operations
Example Cases (SDG Business Model)
- Woody biomass power generation, which is a form of renewable energy, and utilization of its exhaust gas and waste heat
- Providing composite materials using waste wood and waste plastic
- ・ECOROCA, a recycled wood-plastic composite material
