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Based on current plans and policies, the earth is on course for a projected 3.1°C of warming by the century’s end. It’s an alarming scenario, one with potentially catastrophic impacts, highlighted by top climate scientists in the United Nations’ latest Emissions Gap Report released in October 2024. To keep the Paris Agreement’s target to limit the rise to 1.5°C within reach, scientists are urging countries to use the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, as a springboard to commit to an unprecedented 42% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂), accounting for approximately 76% of total greenhouse gas emissions, remains a primary focus for reduction efforts across governments and businesses like Nitto Denko Corporation, a Japanese company that is targeting carbon neutrality by 2050 and continually exploring new ways to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Founded in 1918 to produce insulating materials for electronics, Nitto has since expanded to include high-performance tapes, films, and components used in everything from electronic devices to medical products and infrastructure facilities.

Nitto’s growth has been driven by its commitment to innovation, creating new market demand by a customer-oriented approach they call Sanshin Activities, literally translated as ‘three new activities’. This involves incorporating new technologies into existing products and finding new applications for them, as well as using new technologies to develop new products, thereby creating new demand.

One such example of Nitto’s Sanshin Activities addresses today’s pressing environmental concerns. Recognizing some CO₂ emissions are unavoidable during the manufacturing of materials used across its suite of products and solutions, Nitto accelerated the development of gas separation membranes to separate and recover CO₂ from exhaust gasses, successfully trialed at its Shiga Plant. They also explored ways to effectively utilize recovered CO₂, highlighting the need for technology in chemical conversion, as well as methods to capture atmospheric CO₂, to provide a total carbon-negative solution.

Driven by a commitment to a carbon-negative future and aligned with global environmental goals, Nitto’s initiative is designed to create manufacturing processes that not only minimize emissions but also actively remove CO₂ from the atmosphere by integrating three core technologies.

First, the ‘CO₂ Separation and Recovery’ process extracts carbon dioxide from factory exhaust gas using Nitto’s CO₂ separation membranes. Next, ‘Gas Chemical Conversion’ takes the recovered CO₂ and converts it using Nitto’s unique technologies into other valuable chemical substances such as formic acid, a preservative and antibacterial agent used in many industries. Finally, advanced ‘Atmospheric CO₂ Capture’ technologies extract carbon dioxide directly from the air, which can then be stored or repurposed, contributing to a reduction in overall greenhouse gas levels and playing a key role in mitigating climate change.

Nitto places environmental, social and governance values at the core of our business. Reducing CO₂ emissions through total carbon-negative solutions is key as we accelerate our efforts to become a top ESG company and create essential value for the world.

Kenshi Tozuka, Vice President and General Manager of Corporate Strategy & ESG Management Division, Nitto Denko Corporation

Even before initiating development of its total carbon-negative solution, Nitto placed environmental sustainability as a top priority. This long-standing effort for a sustainable future not only enabled Nitto to meet its CO₂ emissions reduction target ahead of schedule, but also advances the company’s commitment to global environmental goals as demonstrated by its Science Based Targets (SBTi) certification in 2024.

Nitto is advancing its commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment by prioritizing products that benefit the environment and improve human life. The company has implemented a recognition scheme, marking its products and services that make significant contributions to planet Earth and human life with ‘PlanetFlags’ or ‘HumanFlags’ respectively, in an effort to address material sustainability issues and set an example in sustainable development.

Nitto is investing in activities and products that will benefit the environment and society in the future with the belief that eventually we will not only find financial success but also enhance our corporate value.

Kenshi Tozuka, Vice President and General Manager of Corporate Strategy & ESG Management Division, Nitto Denko Corporation

Nitto is also driving transformation within the manufacturing industry through active participation in high-profile events. At COP29 in November 2024, the company will exhibit its solution with the theme of ‘Practical Application of CO₂ Separation, Capture, Conversion and Utilization Technology from Once-Through Boilers Used in Manufacturing’ at the Japan Pavilion, showcasing the cutting-edge technologies on a global platform while enabling Nitto to engage with policymakers to help shape climate policy discussions.

As the world confronts an urgent need to drastically reduce greenhouse emissions, innovations like Nitto’s initiatives are vital to decarbonizing manufacturing. Upholding its decades-long legacy of innovation, Nitto remains committed to developing and combining technologies to deliver comprehensive CO₂ reduction solutions that create economic value and a healthier tomorrow for planet and people.