ENERGY
Sony implements renewable
energy to power European
optical disc production plant
enewable energy sources offer
R
considerable potential for
business operations of all sizes
and scales. The Sony
Corporation has business
operations on every continent: throughout
these various business centres, teams have
been working for many years on how to
reduce their carbon footprint and
maximize energy efficiency.
In Europe, a leading Sony company in
terms of efficient energy use and
ecological awareness is Sony DADC
(Digital Audio Disc Corporation). Based
just outside Salzburg in Austria, this
company is at the forefront of ecologically
aware manufacturing. On one hand, it is On 1 November 2007, Sony DADC
pioneering the development of new High switched to 100 per cent renewable
Definition technologies such as Blu-ray energy. The company’s annual energy
Disc, whilst at the same time it now is consumption of around 59 million kWh of
using entirely renewable energy sources in energy is now exclusively sourced from
its disc manufacture processes. hydro electric sources.
On a global basis, Sony is committed “Based in Anif we live and work in a
to increasing its use of renewable energy truly stunning and awe-inspiring Alpine
by 2010 and aims to quadruple its overall environment,” commented Dieter Daum,
volume of renewable energy used CEO at Sony DADC. “If we want our
worldwide. In Japan, Sony is by far the children and grandchildren to enjoy this
biggest single-company purchaser of natural splendour then we must act
renewable energy amounting to 33% of its decisively. Environmental protection has
energy usage. been a key consideration within our ENVIRONMENTAL METHODOLOGY
In Europe, Sony aims to save 30,000 company for many years. Today we are Environmental protection has been a
tons of CO
2
equivalent by 2010, three feeling the benefit of many years of focus at Sony DADC for many years and
times higher than the 2006 levels. In strategic planning and brave its intention has been to create a
Europe, a total of nine Sony sites are now environmental investment.” manufacturing environment where annual
fully powered by renewable energy, incremental improvements are planned,
representing 41% of Sony’s total energy PROFESSIONAL APPROACH – implemented and secured to achieve
consumption in Europe. DEDICATED PERSONNEL continual improvements in environmental
Since November 2007, the energy In order to ensure that it meets the performance.
used at the Sony DADC manufacturing site most stringent environmental protection In 1998, Sony DADC achieved ISO
in Anif, Austria as well as Sony’s Austrian standards Sony DADC employs a 14001 certification and in doing so
sales company is derived 100% from dedicated environmental coordinator. established a Plan-Do-Check-Act system
renewable sources. Robert Dengg is responsible for for environmental achievement. Today,
With a core business of optical disc overseeing the company’s Green this rigorous approach to environmental
manufacturing the company would be Management Plan on a day-to-day basis. protection encompasses all company
expected to be a relatively large consumer “This is not a new concept at Sony operations: not only the main
of power and creator of greenhouse gas DADC,” he explains. “Since 1990, we manufacturing centres but also the entire
emissions. However, so successful has the have achieved a 54 per cent reduction in distribution network.
company been in re-engineering its energy consumption per disc “Significant reductions in
production processes that last year it was manufactured. And we have created really environmental impact can be achieved
awarded a Sony Europe Best Practice significant reductions in water usage and through sustainable distribution,” explains
Award for the successful reduction of solvent emissions throughout the disc Robert Dengg. “This means following
energy consumption. manufacture process. Also, we’re simple principles such as avoiding air
This award was presented for succeeding in reducing waste and shipment wherever possible, improving the
achievements in 2005 and 2006, yet increasing recycling throughout our core load fill of vehicles and using the latest
these were dwarfed by events last year. business operations.” generation of energy efficient heavy goods
vehicles.” www.sonydadc.com
SUSTAINABLE FM | APRIL 2008
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