Global Environmental Philosophy

For people and society: Kyocera strives to be an environmental pioneer

The 21st century is expected to make history as the “environmental era.” Kyocera recognized early on the burden that business activities can place on the environment and on human life. We have strived to maintain clear vision in pursuing a harmonious balance between economic development and environmental preservation. In addition to operating under strict, group-wide environmental preservation measures -- including ozone layer protection reduction, and energy and resource conservation - it is Kyocera’s policy to develop products that can actively alleviate existing environmental problems.

Kyocera’s Environmental Charter

Kyocera clarified its intent to deal with global environmental problems in 1991 by establishing the Kyocera Environmental Charter as an extension of our management rationale -- to “contribute to the advancement of society and humankind.” Under this Charter, Kyocera eagerly commits to environmental preservation activities on a daily basis.

The Kyocera Green Committee

The Kyocera Green Committee is the core body for implementing and promoting Kyocera’s environmental preservation activities worldwide. Its subcommittees propose specific targets and performance measurements for discussion and ratification. Each subcommittee performs local environmental preservation activities under the Green Committee’s direction. In addition, the Kyocera Affiliated Companies Green Committee supports individual subsidiaries throughout the Kyocera Group, helping them to implement environmental directives based on the Kyocera Environmental Charter.

ISO14001 and the Integrated Environment Management System

Shortly after the introduction of the ISO14000 standards for environmental system management, Kyocera made a corporate effort to demonstrate our environmental  commitment by having our company registered to the ISO14001 standard.  In October 1996, Kyocera’s Production Plant received ISO14001 certification, and by August 1999, all Kyocera facilities in Japan had been ISO14001 registered. In November 2000, we expanded this system to include our affiliated companies and overseas subsidiaries.

Kyocera Mita Australia and Kyocera Mita Zealand were certified in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Environment-Preserving Products

Fine ceramics - Kyocera’s core technologies -- are excellent examples of ecological materials that contribute to environmental preservation. Taking advantage of ceramic’s superior resistance to abrasion, heat and corrosion, Kyocera has developed a variety of environmental solutions that can’t be created using conventional materials. Kyocera also practices “Green Procurement” based on its own standards, paying close environmental attention to procured materials used in production processes.

Environmental Honours

Kyocera’s environment-friendly activities, including the construction of an ecologically sound headquarters building and the development of environmentally conscious products, are gaining recognition in many circles. We have won a number of environmental honours, including the “Fujisankei Communications Group Prize” at the 8th Global Environment Awards sponsored by the Japan Industrial Journal, a publication of the Fujisankei Communications Group, and the “New Energy Foundation Chairman’s Prize,” presented by Japan’s New Energy Foundation to commend the development of environment-friendly energy equipment for the 21st century.