Toyoda Gosei moves carbon-neutral target to 2030

Kiyosu, Japan – Toyoda Gosei (TG) has brought forward its zero CO2 emissions target from production activities (scopes 1 and 2) by 20 years to the end of this decade.

In a strategy update, TG said the acceleration from its target announced in 2016, would be achieved via energy-saving production technologies and “continuous daily improvements.”

To that end, the Japanese rubber and plastic parts maker is carrying out a fundamental review of its manufacturing operations, said the update issued 9 Aug.

According to TG, its review will focus particularly on CO2 emissions from processes such as painting, plating, rubber extrusion and injection moulding.

The automotive and industrial products supplier also aims to introduce innovative production technologies, while also increasing its use of renewable energy.

In rubber-components manufacture, for instance, TG aims to achieve significant energy savings by optimising vulcanisation conditions during the moulding process.

In addition, the group will focus on materials and recycling “to extend our reach both upstream and downstream,” explained CEO and president Katsumi Saito.

To achieve the ambitious target, Saito said the group was exploring the potential for establishing 'integrated' partnerships across the supply-chain”.

Meanwhile, TG is to investigate options to “effectively cycle materials and products up to their final disposal”.

Another aspect, it added, is to “monetise” such activities, including by ramping up external sales of recyclate materials.