Panasonic launches ‘eco ideas’ factory in Vietnam

‘eco ideas’ Factory at Thang Long Industrial Park, Vietnam,
to cement Panasonic’s commitment to environmental sustainability

Panasonic Vietnam Group (including Panasonic Vietnam, Panasonic System Networks Vietnam, Panasonic Industrial Devices Vietnam) at Thang Long Industrial Park is launched as the model ‘eco ideas’ Factory in Vietnam[1]. The manufacturing site produces eco-friendly products with sustainable industry practices and is utilised in outreach activities to raise the level of eco consciousness in the community. In line with Panasonic’s vision of becoming the No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the electronics industry by 2018, the ‘eco ideas’ Factory in Vietnam serves as a model factory and effectively integrates environmental contributions with business growth.

Panasonic Asia Pacific, headquarters for the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, announced its regional ‘eco ideas’ Declaration in 2010[2] to promote the environmental sustainability initiatives of Panasonic and its commitment to contribute to a greener society. In line with this declaration, the Panasonic ‘eco ideas’ Factories in the region act as a platform to communicate Panasonic’s ‘eco ideas’ commitments to external stakeholders and the community at large. The newly launched ‘eco ideas’ Factory in Vietnam will set the benchmark for the reduction of CO2 emission, waste generation and chemical substance usage in manufacturing facilities, enhancing recycle activities, thereby reducing environmental impact. The factory also seeks to raise awareness on environmental protection through collaboration with various organizations on programmes such as eco learning activities for youths.

At the launch, Panasonic Vietnam Group organized factory tours for participating guests, including students. These tours enabled the guests to visualize and understand actual green manufacturing processes of this model ‘eco ideas’ Factory. In addition, an eco learning session was also conducted for the students so as to increase their understanding of the hot issue of the global climate change due to CO2 emission and stress the need for responsive actions.

Note:

[1]  Please see Annex 1 for more information on ‘eco ideas’ Factory in Vietnam
[2]  Please see Annex 2 for targets and progress of the regional ‘eco ideas’ Declaration

Mr. Shinichi Wakita, General Director, Panasonic Vietnam Group, said at the press conference, “Environmental deterioration is prevalent not only in Vietnam, but also in many other parts of the world. The choice is ours to reduce the impact of this alarming trend and ensure environmental sustainability. ‘eco ideas’ and eco activities have been a core focus in Panasonic since 2007. We hope through the ‘eco ideas’ Factory and eco activities being conducted, Panasonic is able to play an effective role in changing mindsets and driving individuals to assume greater environmental responsibility in their communities.”

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Linh, Vice chairman of Hanoi Industrial and Export Processing Zones Authority, commented, “The environmental initiatives spearheaded by Panasonic are remarkable. Panasonic has demonstrated its strong commitment in contributing to the country’s efforts in environmental protection. Indeed, the newly established ‘eco ideas’ Factory is a prime example of a manufacturer taking stewardship of its processes and products to mitigate any detrimental environmental impact. We hope such efforts will spur even more manufacturers to do the same.”

Five Panasonic ‘eco ideas’ Factories have been set up in the Asia Pacific region thus far.  In addition to Panasonic Vietnam Group at the Thang Long Industrial Park, Panasonic Asia Pacific has established Refrigeration Devices Company in Singapore, Home Appliances Company in Thailand, AVC (Audio Visual Components) Networks Company in Malaysia and Lighting Company in Indonesia. Panasonic Asia Pacific will next establish an ‘eco ideas’ Factory in India this December. By March 2013, Panasonic aims to have one ‘eco ideas’ Factory in each country with manufacturing sites in the region.

Panasonic Vietnam Group targets to reduce  the CO2 emissions reduction per unit production this year  and will continue to expand its corporate citizenship activities to incite environmental awareness amongst Vietnam’s younger generation, through educational activities such as Kid Witness News, Eco Picture Diary contest and Panasonic Eco Learning Programme.  The factory will look at increasing the participation in their educational programmes to 12,000 students by March 2014.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products in three business fields, consumer, components & devices, and solutions. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 7.85 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2012. Panasonic’s stock is listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) Stock Exchanges. The company has the vision of becoming the No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry by the 100th year of its founding in 2018. For more information on Panasonic, its brand and commitment to sustainability, visit the company’s website at http://panasonic.net/.

About Panasonic Vietnam

Panasonic Vietnam (PV) is the first 100% foreign invested company to assume the role of the country headquarters in Vietnam. As of September 2012, Panasonic Vietnam Group comprises of six companies, four of which are manufacturing companies – Panasonic Industrial Devices Vietnam (PIDVN), Panasonic System Networks Vietnam (PSNV), Panasonic Appliances Vietnam (PAPVN) and Panasonic AVC Vietnam (PAVCV) and the Panasonic Research and Development Center Vietnam (PRDCV). The Group currently employs a total workforce of about 12,271 people. In Vietnam, Panasonic is one among those enterprises that place great emphasis on social activities surrounding education and environment.

For more information on Panasonic Vietnam and the Panasonic brand, please visit the company’s websites at http://panasonic.com.vn/en and http://panasonic.com.vn/en/aboutpanasonic/corporatecitizenship

Issued by Panasonic Vietnam Co., Ltd. For media queries, please contact:

Nguyen Thi Quyen

Corporate Planning and Brand Promotion Group

Panasonic Vietnam Co., Ltd

Tel: (84) 4 3 9 550 111

Fax: (84) 4 3 9 550 144

Email: thiquyen.nguyen@vn.panasonic.com

For more information on Panasonic’s eco-initiatives, visit wwwwww.panasonic.net/eco/ecoideas

ANNEX 1

Overview of Panasonic Vietnam Group ‘eco ideas’ Factory’s activities

 ActivitiesAchievement‘eco ideas’ for LifestylesManufacturing of ECO productsManufacturing of energy efficient system products and products that are compliant with EU and Vietnam RoHS (Restriction of Use of Hazardous Substances) DirectivesECO Activities for the Local CommunityRaising environmental awareness among youths through various eco programmes:

-     Panasonic Eco Learning Programme and eco-sciences workshops at Panasonic Risupia Vietnam

-     UNESCO World Heritage Eco Learning Programme at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

-     Kid Witness News

-      Eco Picture Diary

Till date, 7,700 students have participated in the eco education programmes and Panasonic Vietnam Group aims to reach out to 12,000 students by March 2014.

‘eco ideas’ for Business-stylesCO2 Emissions Reduction Measures Setting up an energy management committee and implementing CO2 emissions reduction measures.  Some of the measures that have been implemented include changing to energy efficient equipments, such as inverter air-conditioner system and hi-efficiency lighting.  In FY2012, Panasonic Vietnam Group targets to reduce the CO2 emissions per unit production by 5.6%.Effective Waste Management

Implementing 3Rs initiatives in the factory to minimize waste. Panasonic Vietnam Group has been recycling around 302 tons of their waste resins annually and reducing 52% of their waste by reusing wood and plastic pallets.ECO Activities for Employees Enhancing employees’ awareness on environment through internal training and eco activities, such as tree planting with the local community and cleanup of local area.

ANNEX 2

‘eco ideas’ Declaration for the Asia Pacific

Overview of targets and progress of the 3-year ‘eco ideas’ commitment that was set in 2010 for the Asia Pacific region:

 TargetProgress‘eco ideas’ for Lifestyles80% of total sales to be contributed by eco products by March 2013As of FY2011, 70% of Panasonic’s sales are contributed by eco products which include home appliances with ECONAVI and inverter technologiesExpand Eco Learning Programme to reach 200,000 youths in the region by March 2013Expanded the Eco Learning Programme to cover 7 countries, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, India and Vietnam.

As of March 2012, more than 111,000 youths have participated in and benefitted from the programme

Develop new comprehensive energy and environment solutions businessStarted Asia’s first total energy solutions test-bed project for existing public housing in Singapore at Punggol Eco Town.

Established the Panasonic Energy Solutions Development Center in Singapore, which will lead test-bed projects, and develop new technologies and solutions

‘eco ideas’ for Business-styles

Challenge 600,000 tons of CO2 emissions reduction versus ‘business-as-usual’[3] level by March 2013As of FY2011, there is a reduction of 560,000 tons of CO2 emission versus ‘business-as-usual’ level, equivalent to planting more than 30 million treesDevelop 3 more ‘eco ideas’ Factories in Asia Pacific by 2013 including a new model factory in IndiaDevelopment of the 3 ‘eco ideas’ Factories in progress, with 2013 being the targeted year of completionOrganise the first Asia Pacific ‘eco ideas’ Forum outside JapanHeld the inaugural ‘eco ideas’ Forum outside Japan at Singapore International Energy Week 2011 for MNCs and SMEs on 2nd November 2011.

Theme of the forum: Challenges & opportunities of implementing energy management system in a company

Note:

[3] Level of CO2 emission projected assuming no improvement is made since Fiscal Year 2005