Resource Circulation
1.Resource Conservation and Recycling Measures
| NSK’s Approach | Goals, Targets, and Achievements | Initiatives |
2.Utilization of Water Resources
| NSK’s Approach | Goals, Targets, and Achievements | Initiatives |
1. Resource Conservation and Recycling Measures
NSK’s Approach
The NSK Group is promoting efforts at each stage of the value chain to enhance the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) through the development of environmentally friendly products and efficient, waste-free production, all in pursuit of realizing a circular economy.
In its development and design divisions, NSK focuses on reducing product weight and extending service life while developing products that are manufactured with minimal raw materials and are easy to recycle after use. Procurement divisions work in collaboration with suppliers to procure environmentally friendly parts and raw materials, including steel materials made from recycled scrap metal. In manufacturing divisions, efforts are made to reduce resource waste by improving material yield through process improvements and refinements to tools and molds. In addition, NSK collaborates both internally and externally with suppliers to recycle metal and grinding swarf generated during production back into steel, while also promoting water recycling and waste liquid treatment to reduce waste emissions and improve recycling rates. Our logistics divisions contribute by reducing waste emissions through the repeated use of packaging and wrapping materials.
Able to detect signs of damage and deterioration during product use by utilizing condition monitoring solutions at an early stage, we contribute to reducing CO2 emissions by actively promoting the 3Rs through reconditioning. This helps to optimize our customers’ value chains, from the usage stage to equipment maintenance and repair, and even to product disposal, while contributing to the realization of a recycling-oriented society.
Moreover, NSK ensures the proper disposal of waste by conducting voluntary inspections at its business sites, carrying out on-site verifications of companies entrusted with waste disposal, and enhancing management practices using information systems to prevent any compliance violations.
Goals, Targets, and Achievements
◆Mid-Term Management Plan 2026 (MTP2026) Goals, with Targets and Achievements for Each Fiscal Year
| MTP2026 Goals | FY2025 Targets | FY2025 Achievements | Initiatives | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturing, technology, office | Industrial waste per unit of sales: Below -9.0% (base year FY2017) | Below -8.0% (base year FY2017) | -16.3% (base year FY2017) |
|
| Maintain a recycling*1 rate of at least 99% | 99% or higher | 99.3% | ||
| Waste plastic per unit of sales: Below -3.0% (base year FY2023) | Below -2.0% (base year FY2023) | -13.0% (base year FY2023) |
| |
| Distribution (Japan) | Packaging waste per unit of sales: Below -14% (base year FY2021) | Below -12% (base year FY2021) | -51.1% (base year FY2021) |
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*1 Recycling rate is calculated using the volume of valuable materials and the volumes of waste that are reused and recycled.
◆Mid-Term Management Plan 2028 (MTP2028) Goals, with Targets and Achievements for Each Fiscal Year
| MTP2028 Goals | FY2026 Targets | |
|---|---|---|
Manufacturing, technology, office | Industrial waste per unit of sales: Below -11.0% (base year FY2017) | Below -9.0% (base year FY2017) |
| Maintain a recycling rate of at least 99% | 99% or higher | |
| Waste plastic per unit of sales: Below -5.0% (base year FY2023) | Below -3.0% (base year FY2023) | |
Initiatives
| Reduce |
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|---|---|
| Reuse |
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| Recycle |
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| Proper Disposal |
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◆Production Process Initiatives
Pursuing Improvements in Material Yield*1
The majority of NSK’s main products, such as bearings, are made of steel, and approximately half of the CO2 emissions generated during the manufacturing process come from steel production by steel manufacturers. Developing and expanding environmentally friendly manufacturing methods that utilize steel efficiently, without waste, and enable resource conservation is a crucial issue for reducing CO2 emissions throughout the supply chain.
When manufacturing the outer and inner rings of bearings primarily from bar steel through turning*2, the material yield is usually below 50%. However, by revising the manufacturing method, it is possible to improve the yield to above 60%, thereby reducing the amount of steel used (see the chart below). NSK has focused on high-production volume products for these improvements, but it is now working on expanding the range of applicable products and further improving yields. In addition, improving yield reduces the amount of metal scrap (valuable materials*3) generated in the manufacturing process, which in turn decreases CO2 emissions during recycling into new steel at steel manufacturers. Through the efficient use of resources, NSK is contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality and a circular economy for society as a whole.
Manufacturing Process with Improved Yield
*1 The ratio of the weight of the finished part to the weight of the raw material input into the process.
*2 A machining method in which steel is rotated and shaped by applying a tool called a bit to achieve the desired form.
*3 Third-party verification has been obtained for the quantity of valuable materials. Please use the following link to see information on results for valuable materials.
Reducing Waste Liquid and Grinding Swarf
At the NSK Group, the manufacture of bearings generates waste grinding fluid and washing fluid as well as grinding swarf. Waste liquid and grinding swarf account of approximately 80% of the NSK Group’s waste. We have adopted a recirculating filtration system in grinding and fabrication processes that allows us to reuse grinding fluid and washing fluid efficiently.
We practice global-level management of recirculating filtration and work to extend the service life of grinding fluid and washing fluid. Grinding swarf discharged after filtration in the grinding process is compressed and solidified and then recycled for use as steelmaking raw material (a valuable material) for steel manufacturers. In addition, we reduce the volume of some grinding fluid that has reached the end of its service life (waste liquid) by separating oil and water in efforts to reduce the amount of waste generated, while concentrated waste liquid is recycled as fuel outside the company.
Reducing Grinding Swarf
We are working hard to reduce the discharge of grinding swarf, which accounts for about 40% of the NSK Group's waste, and to ensure its stable recycling. To address these issues, we are introducing equipment which compresses and solidifies grinding swarf at our plants worldwide. This equipment compresses the grinding swarf to reduce moisture and solidifies it, thereby reducing weight and volume and allowing it to be recycled as a raw material for steelmaking. The Peterlee Plant in the UK has introduced solidifying equipment, reducing the discharge of grinding swarf and landfill waste.
Solidifying equipment installed at the Peterlee Plant
Reducing Sludge
The NSK Group takes measures to reduce the output of sludge. When Kunshan NSK Co., Ltd. in China updated the filter machines for recycling grinding fluid, we revised the degreasing method in order to reduce the oil content of the diatomaceous earth, which is used as a filter aid, thereby reducing the amount of waste generated.
Additionally, at AKS Precision Ball (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., a sludge dehydrator was installed, reducing the moisture content of the sludge and the amount of waste generated.
Sludge is classified as hazardous waste in China, so these initiatives have reduced hazardous waste.
Updated filter machine at Kunshan NSK
Reducing Plastic Waste
The impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems has become a social issue. Although plastic waste accounts for only about 1% of the NSK Group's waste, we are working to reduce it.
NSK-Warner K.K. has installed a plastic compressor. Stretch film, PP bands, and vinyl are compressed and recycled as valuable materials.
Plastic compressor installed at NSK-Warner
◆Distribution Process Initiatives
Recycling Plastic Containers
In Japan, we are working with a container producer to implement closed-loop recycling, where damaged plastic containers (returnable containers) that have been used repeatedly for many years are recycled as raw materials for new containers. This reduces the amount of virgin plastic resources used and the amount of plastic disposed of as waste.
Closed-Loop Recycling System
Expanding the Use of Plastic Pallets
The NSK Group is working to switch from wooden logistics pallets for transporting products to customers to plastic pallets.
Switching to plastic pallets allows for longer use with less damage, significantly reducing wood use. An additional advantage is that no splinters break off during use.
Furthermore, plastic pallets are excellent in terms of resource circulation, as pallets that can no longer be used due to damage or aging can be recycled as raw materials for new plastic products.
Plastic pallet
Reusing Wooden Pallets
In Europe, the wooden pallets used in shipping from Japan, being of a different size than standard European pallets (“EUR-pallet”), had been unable to be reused and were disposed of as waste. In FY2020, however, the Company commenced returning these wooden pallets to the Japan, Asia, or Oceania regions, and subsequently they are being reused for interregional shipping.
◆Regional Initiatives
In the Americas, packaging materials from unpacking imported products, previously disposed of in landfills as waste, have been sold to contractors since FY2020 for thermal recycling, where the energy generated from incineration is reused.
◆Initiatives in Development and Design
◆Initiatives in Procurement
2. Utilization of Water Resources
NSK’s Approach
An examination of our water needs revealed that the NSK Group is unlikely to be subjected to restrictions on water use, given the locations of our business sites and the volume of water we use. Still, in preparation for future risks, we are working to reduce water consumption by taking measures including cyclical use of cooling water, switching to air cooling, cascading water usage (reuse for different purposes), and reusing wastewater after purification treatment in our manufacturing divisions. In addition, we are working to conserve water resources by properly treating wastewater and preventing pollution accidents. Each site monitors water consumption and wastewater quality on a monthly basis and utilizes a system for sharing environmental information to manage data. If a worsening trend is observed, such as increased consumption, we identify the cause and implement countermeasures as needed. In addition, we regularly conduct e-learning programs for employees to raise awareness of the importance of water resources and the need to reduce consumption.
Goals, Targets, and Achievements
◆Mid-Term Management Plan 2026 (MTP2026) Goals, with Targets and Achievements for Each Fiscal Year
| MTP2026 Goals | FY2025 Targets | FY2025 Achievements | Initiatives | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing, technology, office | Water withdrawal per unit of sales: Below -9% (base year FY2017) | Below -8% (base year FY2017) | -13.9% (base year FY2017) |
|
See below for data on water withdrawal and discharge performance.
◆Mid-Term Management Plan 2028 (MTP2028) Goals, with Targets and Achievements for Each Fiscal Year
| MTP2028 Goals | FY2026 Targets | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing, technology, office | Water withdrawal per unit of sales: Below -11% (base year FY2017) | -9.0% (base year FY2017) |
Initiatives
Reducing Environmental Impact and Reusing Water Resources by Treating Wastewater
The newly constructed wastewater treatment facility at AKS Precision Ball Indonesia treats wastewater from the plant before it is discharged outside, reducing environmental impact. Moreover, the plant reuses the water treated at the wastewater treatment facility. The treated water is used for cleaning floors, watering plants, and filling cooling towers, thereby reducing water consumption.
Wastewater treatment facility at AKS Precision Ball Indonesia
Harvesting and Using Rainwater
At the Newark Plant in the UK, rainwater is collected and used in facilities such as lavatories. This system provides clean water by filtering and UV irradiating the rainwater to eliminate bacterial microbes and fungal spores, reducing the utility-supplied water used in lavatories and other areas by about 40%.
Rainwater collection system installed at the Newark Plant
Switch to Air-Cooled AC Systems
The Saitama Plant upgraded its air-conditioning systems, replacing gas-fired absorption chillers with air-cooled chillers. Not only did the upgrade significantly reduce CO2 emissions, but the switch from absorption air-conditioning equipment, which use water to heat and cool, to air-cooled chillers, which do not, reduced water consumption by approximately 50,000m3 per year (some 20% of the plant’s annual water consumption).
Air-cooled chillers installed at the Saitama Plant
Water Risk Assessments and Initiatives to Reduce Water Withdrawal
Water resources are unevenly distributed across various locals, and the susceptibility to water shortages and water-related disasters varies by country and region.
NSK uses international water risk assessment tools (WRI Aqueduct*1, WWF Water Risk Filter*2) to assess water risk at all of its production sites around the world. Due to the recently increasing demands related to resource circulation, we tightened the definition of a water-stressed area and changed to an indicator that assesses drought risk more rigorously. As a result, joining one plant in India previously identified, we found two plants in Thailand located in water-stressed areas. Water withdrawal in water-stressed areas increased from 15,000m3 in FY2024 to 66,000m3 in FY2025, representing 1.8% of the NSK Group’s total water withdrawal.
At the plant in India, to further reduce water withdrawal, we have been employing recirculating filtration for grinding fluid. We have also facilitated water reuse and promoted the recirculation of cooling water by introducing reverse osmosis (RO) treatment systems and chiller units.
At the two plants in Thailand, we promoted efficient use of water by visualizing flow rate and water usage, while also employing recirculating filtration for grinding fluid and working to reduce water withdrawal. NSK will continue to work on further reducing water withdrawal and use more recirculation.
*1 WRI Aqueduct: A global tool for water risk assessment developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI). This tool enables the assessment of water risk with regard to water quantity, water quality, and regulatory and reputational factors in the area where a site is located.
*2 WWF Water Risk Filter: A global tool for water risk assessment developed by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). This tool visualizes risks such as insufficient water resources, deterioration in water quality, flooding, and strengthening of regulations in the place where a site or supply chain is located and supports companies in their water resource management and risk response planning.