Resonac Group Participates in Nagano Prefecture's "Forest Foster Parent Promotion Project"

September 03, 2024
Resonac Holdings Corporation

Resonac Holdings Corporation (President: Hidehito Takahashi, hereinafter referred to as "REH") and Resonac Graphite Japan Corporation (President: Tomoki Katayama, hereinafter referred to as "RGJ"), which is a graphite electrode business company of the Resonac Group, have participated in Nagano Prefecture's "Forest Foster Parent Promotion Project"^*1. On September 2, REH and RGJ signed foster parent agreement with the Nagabatake District Forest Creation Council (Chairman: Kazuhiro Sugesawa) in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture. Hereafter, REH and RGJ will collaborate with the local community to continue carrying out various forest conservation and maintenance activities, including construction of walking trails, tree planting, undergrowth clearing, and improvement cutting in the forests owned by REH and the local community.　

 

 

RGJ’s Omachi Plant is located in the nature-rich city of Omachi in northwest Nagano Prefecture. It was here, in 1934, then Showa Denko succeeded in the industrial production of aluminum for the first time in Japan. Today, the plant's main product is graphite electrodes used in electric arc furnaces, boasting a world-class market share^*2.　

The Omachi Plant owns and operates three hydroelectric power plants (Aoki, Tokiwa, and Hirotsu) and a 36-kilometer-long water conduit. This water conduit is a vital part of water management system that leverages the region's natural resources, supplying not only water for power generation but also agricultural and domestic water to the local community. This water management system is also highlighted as a foundation for Omachi City's "SDGs Future City Plan," contributing to the local society through its long-standing management and operation.　

Furthermore, as part of a co-creation project with local companies such as the Northern Alps Forestry Cooperative and the Corporate Union Yamashigoto Sozosha, the Omachi Plant plans to switch the heat source (steam) for its graphite electrode production line from conventional fossil fuel boilers to biomass boilers using wood chips and LNG (liquefied natural gas) boilers by the end of fiscal 2024. The operation of these new boilers is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions from the boilers by more than 30%. Additionally, by utilizing biomass resources such as tree branches and leaves that were previously left in the forest or incinerated, the plant aims to effectively use local resources and realize a recycling-oriented society.

The Resonac Group places sustainability at the core of its management, considering environmental conservation and contribution to local communities as vital missions. Through participation in the "Forest Foster Parent Promotion Project," we aim to deepen our bonds with local residents more than ever before, fulfill our role as a local company, and actively work towards the realization of a sustainable society.
 

• *1 An initiative where regions eager to engage in forest maintenance and companies/organizations interested in social contribution sign foster parent agreements
  through the mediation of Nagano Prefecture, working together to promote forest preservation and creation.
• *2 Total market share of the Resonac Group.
   

[Reference]

Resonac Graphite Japan Corporation’s Website

Unique water management system supported by companies: Why it has been rooted in Omachi, Nagano for over 80 years (in Japanese)

Collaborating with local companies to aim for CO₂ reduction: The challenge of a young Leader (in Japanese)

RESONAC REPORT 2024 (Integrated Report)