Reducing CO2 from Logistics
Reducing the amount of energy consumed, the volume of greenhouse gases emitted and the number of cardboard & pallets used in the transport of parts and finished products is significant to reduction of the environmental footprint of products over their entire life cycle.
Sony is decreasing shipping weight by means of product weight reduction. At the same time, Sony is striving to optimize logistics supply chain efficiency by means of shrinking the size of packaging, improvement of loading efficiency and simplifying parts packaging and also to swtich to environmentally conscious modes of transport such as modal shift and joint transportation in order to achieve reduction of CO2 emissions and packaging materials used in logistics.
Japanese Energy Conservation Lawexpedite consignors to implement measures to reduce the environmental impact of logistics. In particular, companies designated as "special consignors", which has particularly large shipping volumes, are obliged to report energy used. Effectively from April 2010, Sony EMCS Corporation was designated a special consignor. Sony has reinforced its ongoing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of logistics activities to respond to this move.
Sony Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. (SSCS) is primarily accoutable for logistics of Sony Group, handling transport within Japan, the United States and Europe, and among international locations. In fiscal year 2008, CO2 emissions associated with the business activities of principal Sony Group companies totaled approximately 720 thousand tons.
Sony is decreasing shipping weight by means of product weight reduction. At the same time, Sony is striving to optimize logistics supply chain efficiency by means of shrinking the size of packaging, improvement of loading efficiency and simplifying parts packaging and also to swtich to environmentally conscious modes of transport such as modal shift and joint transportation in order to achieve reduction of CO2 emissions and packaging materials used in logistics.
Japanese Energy Conservation Lawexpedite consignors to implement measures to reduce the environmental impact of logistics. In particular, companies designated as "special consignors", which has particularly large shipping volumes, are obliged to report energy used. Effectively from April 2010, Sony EMCS Corporation was designated a special consignor. Sony has reinforced its ongoing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of logistics activities to respond to this move.
Sony Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. (SSCS) is primarily accoutable for logistics of Sony Group, handling transport within Japan, the United States and Europe, and among international locations. In fiscal year 2008, CO2 emissions associated with the business activities of principal Sony Group companies totaled approximately 720 thousand tons.
Reducing the Environmental Impact of Logistics through the Reuse of Packaging
(Updated on August 31, 2010)
LCD television (BRAVIA™ LX900 series): Increasing transport efficiency through reduced packaging
Left: KDL-52W5 (2009 model)
Right: KDL-52LX900 (2010 model)
Within Sony Group, product design, procurement, manufacturing and logistics departments are working together to promote a packaging improvement initiative to realize optimization of total costs -- i.e., costs for design, procurement, manufacturing and logistics -- for products and components, and it is concurrently to reduce environmental impact of CO2 emissions and packaging materials used.
During the course of product package improvement, product loading efficiency to container is increased by shrinking package sizes and optimization of loading efficiency depending on transportation variation, thus, it shall contribute to reduction of environmental impact. As a typical example, packaging volume for LCD television sold in fiscal year 2009 was reduced by an average of 23% in comparison with models sold in previous fiscal year , thus CO2 emissions were reduced by an average of 26%.*
During the course of product package improvement, product loading efficiency to container is increased by shrinking package sizes and optimization of loading efficiency depending on transportation variation, thus, it shall contribute to reduction of environmental impact. As a typical example, packaging volume for LCD television sold in fiscal year 2009 was reduced by an average of 23% in comparison with models sold in previous fiscal year , thus CO2 emissions were reduced by an average of 26%.*
*The data is estimated based on assumption that 2008 model W5 series and eight models in the 2009 model LX-900, NX-800, HX-900 series are referenced and transportation distance is assumed that approximately 450 km from the factory, which is loaded on a domestic transport trailer (CO2 emissions per liter of diesel fuel is assumed to be 2.6 kg.)
Besides above efforts Sony has reduced packaging material usage by utilization of returnable containers. Sony began using returnable container in Japan in 2005; however, by relocation of production facilities to offshore in fiscal year 2009, Sony is currently utilizing their use primarily in Asia, where in August 2009, returnable containers were introduced for the shipping of products and components between Sony EMCS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.'s Kuala Lumpur TEC and Sony Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
In fiscal year 2009, Sony used approximately 12,000 returnable containers in Japan and overseas and it has contributed to reduce 571 tons of packaging materials and conventional pallets.
In fiscal year 2009, Sony used approximately 12,000 returnable containers in Japan and overseas and it has contributed to reduce 571 tons of packaging materials and conventional pallets.
Structual concept of Returnable Container
Returnable containers are designed to meet efficient loading to sea freight container. In fiscal year 2009, Sony introduced modular size (standardized) cartons which effectively fit into returnable containers. Combination of different modular cartons which is suitable for size of individual components has increased component storage space in a returnable container and it, enabling Sony to maximized quantity of components per shipment.
Returnable container packed with modular cartons and shipping container efficiently loaded with returnable containers
Promoting Modal Shift
(Updated on August 31, 2010)
SSCS is shifting from truck to rail and sea transport, both of which could reduce CO2 emmission for product transport than trucks in Japan. As an example, since 2000, Sony has started to share rail transport with other companies between Tokyo and Osaka by use of designated containers.
In fiscal year 2009, Sony utilized modal shift transport of approximately 21,100 tons of products in Japan, which resulted in reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 2,650 tons compared with conventional transport by truck. This amount is equivalent to approximately 24.2% of the volume of truck transportation in Japan.
In fiscal year 2009, Sony utilized modal shift transport of approximately 21,100 tons of products in Japan, which resulted in reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 2,650 tons compared with conventional transport by truck. This amount is equivalent to approximately 24.2% of the volume of truck transportation in Japan.
SSCS is also promoting modal shifts outside of Japan. In Huanan County, in the People's Republic of China, SSCS shifted shipping containers from truck to rail for transporting products between its factory and port in order to reduce CO2 emissions.
Sony Brasil Ltda. has shifted product transport from truck to ship from factory in Manaus to São Paulo.
In France, Sony has shifted transport from truck to barge ship from Le Havre bound for Éragny in the suburb of Paris, and also to rail for product transport which is bound for the South of France in order to reduce environmental impact.
Sony Brasil Ltda. has shifted product transport from truck to ship from factory in Manaus to São Paulo.
In France, Sony has shifted transport from truck to barge ship from Le Havre bound for Éragny in the suburb of Paris, and also to rail for product transport which is bound for the South of France in order to reduce environmental impact.
Shifting from truck to barge ship and rail for product transporting goods in France
Modal shift from truck to ship in Brazil
Sharing Shipments in Japan
(Updated on August 31, 2010)
SSCS has promoted the sharing of shipments with other companies since 2007,. Having already introduced this operation in Hokkaido, Okinawa and Fukuoka in February 2010, it was expanded its application to Osaka. In addition to sharing shipment to increase loading efficiency, it makes it possible to consolidate truck loading. In fiscal year 2009, the consolidation of truck loading by operation above could lead to reduction of approximately 91 tons of CO2 emissions.
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