Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. Achieves Net Zero CO₂ Emissions at All Global Sites

Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (Representative Director, CEO: Masashi Nagayasu, Head office: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, hereafter “Panasonic Automotive”) achieved net zero CO₂ emissions*1 at all 14 global sites*2 including 6 domestic sites (2 in Yokohama and 1 each in Shirakawa, Matsumoto, Tsuruga, and Kusatsu), and 8 overseas sites (2 in China and one each in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Czech Republic, and 3 in Mexico) in January 2023. 

(1) Energy-saving initiatives

• Thorough elimination of wastefulness: Projects have been launched across Panasonic Automotive Systems. The participation of all employees has helped foster an awareness and thorough implementation of energy-saving initiatives.
• Reduced energy loss thanks to air conditioning optimization including positive pressure control in cleanrooms and processes, revised conditions and enhanced insulation of furnaces, etc., and revised equipment cooling systems
• Proactive updates to high-efficiency devices: Old devices are being replaced with the latest energy-saving devices on an accelerated schedule, including lighting, air conditioning, compressors, etc.

(2) Introduction of renewable energy sources

• We are promoting the purchase of RE100-compatible renewable electricity, and environmental certification*3.
• We are promoting the introduction of onsite and offsite renewable energy sources using self-financing and PPA*4.

Panasonic views initiatives to reduce our own and society’s CO₂ emissions in an effort to find solutions to global warming as a paramount Group issue, and in this regard, we are engaged in working toward our own goal, Panasonic GREEN IMPACT.

Laws and regulations on CO₂ reduction in the automobile industry are being bolstered mainly in Europe. To that end, our customers, which are car manufacturers, are also requesting that their clients achieve zero CO₂ emissions and switch over to renewable energy sources. This trend is expected to accelerate around the globe, with the growing possibility of zero CO₂ emissions becoming a term of business at car manufacturers.

Panasonic Automotive is achieving net zero CO₂ emissions in response to such demands. Reaching this goal of net zero CO₂ emissions at the Panasonic Group by 2030 is first being realized as a business company. The company will promote blatant honesty in energy-saving efforts with a focus at work sites, with the goal of annually reducing our total energy usage by 3% compared to the previous year. Also, we plan to distribute resources resulting from energy-saving activities to renewable energy procurement costs, and plan to halve our reliance on external renewable energy sources by 2030.

• Reduced air conditioning load thanks to revised positive pressure in cleanrooms.
• Reduced outside air intake.
• Enhanced insulation of equipment that serves as heat sources, such as furnaces, etc.
• Revised always-on transportation equipment such as conveyors, etc. (intermittent operation)
• Revised conditions for drying ovens and washing equipment (low temperature)
• Energy-saving management of air conditioning equipment using Wi-Fi switch systems made internally
• Revised cleaning tower operation thanks to equipment cooling system piping reorganization, and inverters installed on pumps
• Heat exchangers added to hot water equipment
• Implementation of air leak surveys and countermeasures
• Leverage standby power across sites

• Purchase of renewable electricity (Matsumoto, Mexico, Czech Republic)
• Promoting introduction of solar power generation equipment at sites (Matsumoto, Tsuruga, Yokohama area)
• Promoting introduction of corporate PPA (domestic, China, Malaysia)

*1 Net zero CO₂ emissions: The company actively promotes virtually zero CO₂ emissions by procuring Non-Fossil Fuel Certificates and I-REC Certificates to offset the company’s CO₂ emissions from electricity, and credits to offset CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels.
*2 All sites: Refers to all global sites supervised by Panasonic Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.

*3 Environmental certification: Documentation which certifies the value of electricity generated in a way that does not result in CO₂ emissions, including non-fossil fuel energy certificates, J-Credits, etc.

Businesses that purchase environmental certificates are recognized by the national government as receiving energy supply that does not result in CO₂ emissions.

• Non-fossil fuel energy certificates: Documentation which brings out and certifies the non-fossil fuel value of electricity generated without the use of fossil fuels such as petroleum or coal, making it a non-fossil fuel energy source. Bought and sold in the non-fossil fuel value trading market.
• CO₂-Credits: Environmental value created by introducing energy-saving devices and renewable energy sources, and initiatives such as forest management.
  Bought and sold via a credit broker.

*4 Corporate PPA (Power Purchase Agreement): A long-term agreement for a business to purchase electricity generated via natural energy from a power producer. In general, contracts are for 10 to 25 years.