Advancing toward carbon neutrality at our own plants through the operation of “Theoretical Value Energy”

Yamaha Motor has brought forward to 2035 the goal of achieving carbon neutrality at its own plants, including those overseas, in the “Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050”. Various initiatives are currently being accelerated to realize this new target. Under these circumstances, the Hamamatsu Robotics Plant, which was undergoing expansion and renovation with the aim of doubling its production capacity, has begun operations as our first all-electric factory.

 

Carbon neutrality also contributes to “ease of work”

Plan for achieving carbon neutralityThe overall plan for achieving carbon neutrality is shown in the chart above. Plan to reduce electricity by 92% from 2010 levels by 2035 and offset the remaining non-electric CO₂ using internationally recognized methods.

“Reducing CO₂ makes manufacturing sites quieter, cooler, and cleaner, and extends the life of equipment and machinery. Since our efforts toward carbon neutrality are a scrum job with the manufacturing site, we are happy to hear from factory workers who feel comfortable working there, “It’s more comfortable now, thank you!” I am just as happy to hear that feedback of our efforts from the factory staff as it becomes carbon neutral have yielded numerical reductions. “, said the person in charge of from the Plant Engineering Division of our company. We have set a target of achieving carbon neutrality at our own factories by 2035 including overseas sites and are accelerating our efforts to realize a decarbonized society. As one of the steps toward this goal, we have begun operations at our Hamamatsu Robotics Plant (photo on cover), which is our first plant to achieve carbon neutrality.

The cornerstones of our approach to carbon neutrality are “minimization” and “cleanliness” of energy consumption. “Minimization” is an activity to reduce the absolute amount of energy consumption based on our original “Theoretical Value Energy” concept. On the other hand, “clean energy” is an activity to switch to cleaner energy through the introduction of renewable energy generation facilities and CO₂ free electricity. Furthermore, with regard to fossil-based energy, we are also hurrying to shift to alternative energy sources such as hydrogen and electricity in what are called high-temperature processes, such as casting and painting.

Demonstration facilityFrom 2025, the company will begin development and verification of aluminum alloy melting technology using hydrogen gas. For this purpose, a demonstration facility equipped with a melting furnace and a heat treatment furnace that can handle hydrogen gas will be newly built (3D depiction)

 

Accelerate efforts with our unique “Theoretical Value Energy”

Theoretical Value EnergyEfforts to “minimize” through the Yamaha Motor Group’s proprietary “Theoretical Value Energy” method

“In order to achieve our goal, we have to reduce our emissions by 3% every year. We must step up another gear or two,” said the person in charge. The Japanese Agency for Natural Resources and Energy has imposed a 5% reduction obligation on factories designated for energy management over a five-year period, so we are aiming to achieve carbon neutrality about three times faster than before. (Figures for Japan)

One of the most visible and significant results is our proprietary method of minimizing power consumption, called “Theoretical Value Energy,” as mentioned above.
“Theoretical Value Energy” classifies all energy consumption into “value,” “semi-value,” and “no value,” and aims for a breakthrough by increasing the ratio of “value” as much as possible. For example, energy consumed when equipment is on standby is classified as “valueless,” and the goal is to reduce valueless energy to zero by introducing control technologies that automatically shut down equipment. The concept and results of this “Theoretical Value Energy” have attracted a great deal of attention, and the Energy Conservation Center of Japan has awarded it the “Energy Conservation Grand Prize” (2022).

We are “working in scrum with our manufacturing sites” –. In our factories around the world, stickers indicating that the equipment is carbon neutral are beginning to appear. By 2035, nearly all of our manufacturing facilities around the world will have these gold and silver certificates shining on them.

Carbon Neutral CertificateThe “Carbon Neutral Certificate,” an in-house standard that is affixed to each factory facility. Global expansion with the same global standards

Overview of “Yamaha Motor Group Environmental Plan 2050”

 

About Yamaha Robotics SMT Section

Yamaha Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Section, a subdivision of Yamaha Motor Robotics Business Unit in Yamaha Motor Corporation, produces a complete selection of equipment for high-speed inline electronic assembly. This 1 STOP SMART SOLUTION includes solder paste printers, component mounters, 3D solder paste inspection machines, 3D PCB inspection machines, flip-chip hybrid placers, dispensers, intelligent component storage, and management software.

Bringing the Yamaha way to electronics manufacturing, these systems prioritize intuitive operator interaction, efficient coordination between all inline processes, and modularity enabling users to meet the latest manufacturing demands. Group competencies in servo-motor control and image recognition for vision (camera) systems ensure extreme accuracy with high speed.

The current product line includes the latest YR equipment generation, with advanced automated features for programming, setup, and changeovers, and new YSUP management software with state-of-the-art graphics and built-in data analytics.

Combining design and engineering, manufacture, sales, and service competencies, Yamaha SMT Section ensures operational efficiency and easy access to support for customers and partners. With regional offices in Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America, the company provides truly global presence.

www.yamaha-motor-robotics.eu