Think Green at Tungaloy: Building a Sustainable Future in Manufacturing
Around the world, manufacturers are under growing pressure to reduce their environmental impact. From automotive to aerospace, our customers are setting ambitious climate goals, and expect their partners to do the same. In the cutting tool industry, where precision meets performance, we share the responsibility to ensure that innovation goes hand in hand with sustainability.
At Tungaloy, this responsibility is more than words. Through our Think Green initiative, we are investing in cleaner energy, smarter processes, and greener solutions that contribute to both our customers’ success and the well-being of our planet.
Certified Commitment to the Environment
Our commitment to sustainability is supported by internationally recognized management systems. Tungaloy acquired ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) in 1997, becoming the first manufacturer in Japan’s cemented carbide tool industry to do so. This year marks the 29th anniversary of the achievement. In August 2024, our Iwaki Headquarters also obtained ISO 50001 (Energy Management), expanding our certifications to four international standards: quality, environment, occupational health and safety, and energy.
These certifications prove that sustainability is not an aspiration but an integral part of how we manage our operations, systematically, transparently, and with measurable improvements.
Renewable Energy in Action
One of our proudest milestones is our Nagoya production facility, which has operated entirely on electricity from renewable sources since 2022. Nagoya serves as one of Tungaloy’s key manufacturing hubs, and its transformation into a 100 % renewable-energy site shows how world-class manufacturing and environmental stewardship can coexist.
Complementing this, our Iwaki Headquarters has been equipped with a solar power generation system since 2015, producing approximately 160 MWh of electricity per year and reducing about 75 tons of CO₂ annually.
Across all facilities, we continue to increase the share of renewable energy, steadily advancing toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
Concrete Actions to Reduce CO₂
Beyond electricity procurement, we are taking practical steps to lower CO₂ emissions:
- In 2023, the Iwaki Headquarters switched from kerosene to city gas for fuel, resulting in a 27 % reduction in CO₂ emissions from fuel use in 2024 and continued improvements through 2025.
- At the Nirasaki Campus, the transition from gray to locally produced green hydrogen has reduced emissions by approximately 300 tons of CO₂ per year.
- Overall, compared with 2023, Tungaloy’s total emissions decreased by about 10 % in 2024 and have maintained this downward trend throughout 2025.
We aim to reduce CO₂ emissions by 46 % by 2030 (versus 2013 levels), supporting our long-term goal of carbon neutrality.
Recognized Environmental Leadership
In 2024 and 2025, our long-standing environmental activities were honored with the Environment Grand Prize by the Japan Cutting & Wear-Resistant Tool Association. This recognition by our peers underscores the impact of our efforts and encourages the entire industry to raise the bar even higher.
Responsible Product Development
All newly developed Tungaloy products are evaluated under the Japan Cutting & Wear-resistant Tool Association Standard for Environment-Conscious Products (ECP), an official industry certification system that promotes environmentally responsible manufacturing across Japan’s cutting-tool sector.
The Environmentally Friendly Product Certification System has served as an industry benchmark since 2007 and has continued to be used by the Japan Cutting & Wear-resistant Tool Association since its establishment in 2015.
Under this framework, each product is evaluated on a 100-point scale, divided between product development concept (60 points) and corporate environmental activities (40 points).
- 80 points or above: ☆☆☆
- 79–60 points: ☆☆
- 59–40 points: ☆
- Less than 40 points: Not certified
This evaluation considers factors such as product longevity, reduction of hazardous substances, energy efficiency, resource optimization, and company-wide environmental practices such as green procurement and recycling initiatives.
Several Tungaloy product lines, including our head-exchangeable drilling systems (DrillMeister and DrillForceMeister), our PVD grade SH7025 for precision small-part machining, and other advanced tooling solutions, have earned two- and three-star certifications under this system.
Our R&D teams continuously work with these standards in mind, ensuring that every Tungaloy innovation contributes to more sustainable and environmentally conscious manufacturing.
Smarter Use of Resources
Tungaloy continuously reduces its environmental footprint through packaging innovation and waste management:
- Since 2004, we have maintained a landfill disposal rate below 1 % (Zero Emission).
- Cushioning for milling cutters: switched from plastic sponge to cardboard (–580 kg plastic per year).
- Packaging for brazed heads for BTA: changed to recyclable cardboard (–1.2 tons plastic per year).
We also promote a circular economy by collecting and recycling used cemented-carbide tools in Japan, recovering valuable raw materials such as tungsten for reuse in new products.
A Culture of Sustainability
As we continue this journey, Tungaloy is expanding on current achievements and exploring new initiatives; from renewable energy and green hydrogen adoption, to expanding solar power generation; from enhancing recycling programs to promoting a global digital-first mindset that minimizes paper use.
Each of these steps moves Tungaloy closer to its vision of a sustainable future for our industry and society.
Think Green at Tungaloy is not about one-off achievements or compliance checklists.
It is about building a culture of responsibility, innovation, and progress; for our customers, our employees, and our world.