Recycling-oriented resource usage

Generation of waste materials (industrial waste and valuable resources) in 2025

(Unit: tonnes)

In 2025, the amount of waste materials was 3,241 tonnes. In order to make effective use of resources, we are actively working to turn waste materials into valuable materials and were able to convert 507 tonnes of waste materials into valuable resources, thereby reducing industrial waste emissions. The breakdown of valuable resources was 2.5 tonnes for reuse of research equipment and 504 tonnes for recycling of plastics, metals, waste oil, and other materials. Details on each of these items of industrial waste are explained below.

Change in Industrial Waste Emissions

*Figures for industrial waste emissions in 2023 and 2024 have been corrected due to previously identified errors.
(2023: 3,525 t → 3,547 t; 2024: 3,346 t → 3,553 t)

In 2025, industrial waste emissions decreased by 14.1% compared to the base year and by 23.1% from the previous year to 2,734 tonnes, of which 2 tonnes were emitted through the wide-area certification system. Emissions per total floor area were 7.2 kg/m², down 31.3% from 10.5 kg/m² in the base year and a decrease of 2.6 kg/m² from the previous year, and we achieved the 2025 target for industrial waste emissions under the Mid-term Environmental Target 2030 (a 5% reduction per total floor area compared to 2019). The decrease in 2025 was mainly due to a significant reduction in hazardous waste emissions compared to the previous year as a result of changes in some production plans. In addition, we controlled the increase in emissions through effective use of resources, such as the active reuse of research equipment as valuable resources and the recycling of plastics, metals, waste oil, and other materials.

Change in Plastic Waste Emissions

*Figures for plastic waste emissions in 2023 and 2024 have been corrected due to previously identified errors.
(2023: 795 t → 791 t; 2024: 549 t → 559 t)

Plastic waste emissions in 2025 were 486 tonens, a 9.8% decrease from the base year, and emissions per total floor area were 1.3 kg/m², down 27.8% from 1.8 kg/m² in the base year. As a result, we achieved the 2025 target for plastic waste emissions under the Mid-term Environmental Goals 2030 (a 5% reduction per total floor area compared to 2019). In 2025, we controlled the increase in emissions through effective use of resources, such as the active recycling of plastic as valuable resources. While the concept of the circular economy is currently gaining ground, marine pollution caused by plastics is a serious social issue, and we will work to reduce plastic waste as well as overall waste.

Change in Waste Recycled and Recycling Ratio

*In addition to a revision of recycling criteria, errors were identified in waste emissions at certain sites, and the recycling volume and recycling rate for 2023 and 2024 have been corrected.
(Recycling volume: 2023: 3,496 t → 1,157 t; 2024: 3,326 t → 1,039 t; Recycling rate: 2023: 99.1% → 32.6%; 2024: 99.4% → 29.2%)

In 2025, we placed greater emphasis on the concept of a circular economy and began confirming waste treatment methods with industrial waste disposal contractors. In addition, we reviewed the calculation method for recycling and transitioned to a classification that more strictly reflects the actual treatment conditions.

Specifically, thermal recycling^*1, which had previously been included as recycling based on Japanese regulations, has been excluded from the scope from the perspective of resource circulation. For example, waste used as auxiliary fuel is not considered recycling, as it is not circulated as a resource through combustion.

As a result of these revisions, recycled waste amounted to 543 tonnes out of 2,734 tonnes of industrial waste generated in 2025, for a recycling rate of 19.8%. Although these figures have decreased, this is a positive initiative aimed at accurately understanding the effectiveness of resource circulation and improving the quality of recycling.

• *1 Thermal recycling: a method of energy recovery in which heat generated during waste incineration is recovered and used for power generation or heat supply.

Change in Amount of Industrial Landfill Waste, Final Disposal Rate

Final disposal amount: Total amount calculated by multiplying the landfill disposal volume and incineration volume by the respective incineration coefficients for each type of industrial waste

*In addition to a revision of recycling criteria, errors were identified in waste emissions at certain sites, and the final disposal amount and final disposal rate for 2023 and 2024 have also been corrected.
(Final disposal amount: 2023: 4 t → 153 t; 2024: 2 t → 47 t; Final disposal rate: 2023: 0.1% → 4.3%; 2024: 0.1% → 1.3%)

In 2025, the final disposal amount was 84 tonnes and the final disposal rate was 3.1%. We will continue our efforts to reduce industrial waste as well as to improve the recycling rate and reduce the final disposal amount.

Proper Disposal of Waste Materials

Once a year, Chugai holds conferences for persons in charge of waste, mainly those at plants and research laboratories.
The staff in charge shares information on revisions to the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act and proper disposal, to ensure thorough compliance.

In addition, we have set a goal to conduct 100% or more on-site inspections of all contracted waste disposal companies during the three-year period from 2024 to 2026, which is an effort requirement under the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act. Of the 48 contracted waste disposal companies, inspections were conducted at 19 companies in 2024 and 20 companies in 2025.

We will continue our efforts to ensure proper waste management.

There is a common awareness that in the field of resource recycling, the impact of marine plastic waste on ecosystems has become an urgent, global-scale issue, and discussions are being held at a variety of international conferences, including the G20 and the United Nations. To address this plastic litter problem, the G20 Osaka Summit held in June 2019 shared the “Osaka Blue Ocean Vision” which aims to reduce additional marine plastic litter to zero by 2050. In May 2019, Japan formulated its Resource Circulation Strategy for Plastics, based on the concept of “3Rs + Renewable” (4Rs), established specific numerical milestones for reducing the use of plastics, and is engaged in a variety of initiatives.
In the use of recycled/renewable resources, one of the material issues in the Chugai Group’s Mid-term Environmental Goals 2030, we have established the goal of reducing the emissions of plastic waste per total floor area by 5% in 2025 and by 10% in 2030, compared with 2019, part of our effort to reduce the plastic waste emitted by our facilities.

In a new initiative in addition to “Reducing” plastic, since 2020 we have been using “Recycled” plastic. In “Renewable,” we are considering switching from petroleum-based plastic materials to biomass plastic derived from plants and other renewable raw materials. This initiative is focused on PTP, aluminum pillows, syringe blister packs and plastic bottles, which are used in particularly large quantities. In 2022, we switched to packaging materials containing recycled plastic in aluminum pillows and syringe blister packs for some products, and in 2023, we began to use biomass plastic in some of our PTP and plastic bottles. We will continue to consider technologies with the aim of using packaging materials containing eco-friendly plastics in all of our products by 2030. Please see the link below for details.

Container and Packaging Usage, Recycling Consignment Application (2025 results) (tonnes)

Change in Water Consumption (water withdrawal)

In 2025, water withdrawal was 1,871 tonnes, down 10.1% from the base year and down 3.5% from the previous year, and in terms of water withdrawal per total floor area, it was 4.9 kg/m², down 28.1% from the base year, thereby achieving the 2025 target under the Mid-term Environmental Goals 2030 (a 15% reduction compared to 2019). The decrease was due to changes in manufacturing processes and the use of rainwater. The increase in 2024 is attributed to the expansion of business activities.

• CDP^*1: Water Security A List (as of 2025)
• Water Cycle Company Registration and Certification System^*2: Water Cycle ACTIVE Company certification (“Water Quantity and Quality Category” and “Human Resources and Funding Category”) (as of 2025)

• *1 CDP: An international non-governmental organization (NGO) established in the United Kingdom that promotes environmental information disclosure
• *2 Water Cycle Company Registration and Certification System: A system in which the government evaluates and certifies companies’ initiatives for water resource conservation and proper use to maintain and restore a sound water cycle