Addressing Climate Change
Introducing Renewable Energy at Company Sites
It is thought that the greatest cause of global warming is the increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to human activity since the Industrial Revolution. The key to curbing climate change and building a decarbonized society is to reduce fossil fuel dependency while maximizing the use of renewable energy that emits no greenhouse gases.
Participation in RE100, Which Aims to Run Businesses with 100% Renewable Energy
In January 2019, Konica Minolta joined RE100, a global leadership initiative that brings together businesses committed to sourcing 100% renewable energy for their operations. Konica Minolta aims to procure 100% of the power used in its own business activities from renewable energy sources by 2050.
By doing so, Konica Minolta will accelerate its efforts to achieve Eco Vision 2050 while also helping to reduce global CO2 emissions by expanding the use of renewable energy. As a medium-term step toward achievement of its long-term goal, Konica Minolta set an internal target of sourcing renewable electricity for 50% of its electricity use by 2030. The Group will start reviewing its power procurement contracts one-by-one at production sites and sales sites, starting with countries and regions where renewable electricity is relatively widespread, and begin switching over those sites to renewable electricity where it is possible, and accelerate its introduction in the years ahead. In fiscal 2023, the ratio of electricity derived from renewable energy* increased to 13.5%.
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- Ratio of renewable energy-derived electricity to the total electricity consumption of the Konica Minolta
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- Ratio of renewable energy-derived electricity to the Konica Minolta Group’s overall energy use (not including co-generated power) in fiscal 2019
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- Ratio of renewable energy-derived electricity to the Konica Minolta Group’s overall energy use beginning after fiscal 2020.
Expanding Use of Renewable Energy at Production and R&D Sites
In addition to Konica Minolta Business Technologies (Dongguan) Co., Ltd and Konica Minolta Business Technologies (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., which have already achieved 100% use of renewable energy-derived electricity, Konica Minolta Supplies Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. and Konica Minolta Supplies Manufacturing France S.A.S. also achieved 100% renewable energy-derived electricity in fiscal 2021 by switching to electricity with renewable energy certificates. In February 2021, a new plant of Konica Minolta Mechatronics, Inc. was completed in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture. A photovoltaic power generation system (installed area of 2,632 m2 with a generating capacity of 500 kW) was installed in conjunction with the completion of construction and is expected to provide approximately 11% (estimated) of the electricity used at the plant.
In March 2023, Konica Minolta Business Technologies (Malaysia), our MFP production site in Malaysia, achieved 100% renewable energy. A solar power generation system has been installed that covers 20% of their total electricity usage, while the remainder is procured from renewable energy-derived electricity power certificates.
Through these initiatives, all of Konica Minolta Group's overseas MFP production sites have achieved 100% renewable energy.
Konica Minolta Business Technologies (Malaysia) and roof-mounted solar panels
New factory of Konica Minolta Mechatronics Co., Ltd.
Solar power panels installed on the roof
Konica Minolta Business Technologies (Wuxi) Co., Ltd
Solar power panels installed on the roof
Left: Konica Minolta Business Technologies (Dongguan) Co., Ltd.
Right: Konica Minolta Business Technologies (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.
Expanding Use of Renewable Energy at Sales Sites
In addition to its production and R&D sites, Konica Minolta is proactively introducing renewable energy at its numerous sales sites around the world. Konica Minolta will continue to meet the expectations of customers and society for renewable energy.
Renewable Energy Initiatives
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. built a photovoltaic installation in a parking lot in 2013 to generate electricity to power its offices. In December 2020, the company switched its remaining purchased electricity to power derived from renewable energy and now uses 100% renewable energy.
In Europe, sales companies in eleven European countries including Germany, France, the UK, Spain, and Portugal had switched to renewable energy by fiscal 2023.
Going forward, we will continue to accelerate the switch to renewable energy.
The headquarters in Germany, which is promoting the introduction of electricity from renewable energy sources at its European sales companies
Photovoltaic panel installation in the company parking lot (United States)
Konica Minolta Now Using 100% Renewable Energy at U.S. Headquarters
Since 2020, Konica Minolta has been participating in MidAmerican Energy Services’ Renewable Energy Program, procuring renewable energy for its U.S. corporate headquarters in Ramsey, New Jersey. The green energy supplied through this program is a combination of biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar and wind power and is supplementing the solar energy produced by the solar panels installed at the campus in 2013.
The Renewable Energy Program is Green Energy certified and meets the environmental and consumer-protection standards set forth by the nonprofit, Center for Resource Solutions. This new partnership means that the Ramsey, NJ campus now runs on 100% renewable energy.
Recognizing its environmental contributions, in May 2022, Konica Minolta was accepted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership program. The program helps increase green power use among U.S. organizations as a way to reduce air pollution and other environmental impacts associated with electricity use. Using green power is a significant step toward Konica Minolta’s goal of becoming Carbon Minus by 2030 and helps reduce air pollution and lower its emissions footprint, while also sending a message to other organizations across the country that green power is an affordable, accessible choice.