NSK and Its Commitment to Sustainability
In a significant move towards sustainability, NSK Ltd. has made headlines by releasing the industry's first-ever carbon footprint (CFP) report for ball screws. This report focuses on the low-friction ball screw named "MT-Frix™", developed for machine tools, and underscores NSK's dedication to fostering a carbon-neutral society.
Importance of CFP Disclosure
The carbon footprint serves as a quantifiable measure of greenhouse gas emissions per product unit, providing companies with an effective means to illustrate their environmental efforts. In recent years, the demand for environmental information across supply chains has surged, particularly in international markets like Europe. Disclosing carbon footprints not only showcases a product's environmental value but also enhances international competitiveness. Following this trend, Japan's Ministry of the Environment released the "Carbon Footprint Display Guide" in February 2025, prompting an acceleration in corporate disclosures.
The Journey of NSK’s CFP Report
From its manufacturing stages to consumer usage, NSK strives to reduce CO₂ emissions across the entire product lifecycle. The company emphasizes creating environmentally friendly products that significantly lower lifecycle environmental impacts.
Earlier, NSK developed a high-load capacity tapered roller bearing adaptable for construction machinery reconditioning, allowing the reuse of products and significantly reducing CO₂ emissions in the manufacturing process. This was followed by releasing the first CFP report in the bearing industry in July 2025. Now, with the ball screw segment, NSK's recent development of the "MT-Frix™" ball screw in October 2024 minimizes dynamic friction torque by 50%, leading to remarkable reductions in CO₂ emissions during usage. The release of this CFP report for the ball screw is a notable first in the industry.
Participation in EMO Hannover 2025
Following the rollout of "MT-Frix™", NSK will showcase this innovative product at EMO Hannover 2025, Europe’s largest machine tool exhibition, in September 2025. This exhibition targets a market with high demand for environmentally conscious products, highlighting NSK’s commitment to sustainability.
Key Contents of the CFP Report
The CFP report adheres to the Ministry of the Environment's "Carbon Footprint Display Guide". It includes the following sections:
- - Purpose of Estimation
- - Target Products and Calculation Units
- - Types of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and Lifecycle Considerations
- - Cut-off Criteria and Scenarios
- - Information on Data Used
- - Referenced Rules
- - Calculation Results
- - Limitations of the Study and Future Directions
More details can be found in the published CFP report, which covers topics including the high-load capacity tapered roller bearing for construction machinery and the low-friction ball screw "MT-Frix™".
Future Commitments
Looking ahead, NSK aims to achieve net-zero CO₂ emissions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 by the fiscal year 2035. The company plans to advance its initiatives, including:
- - Developing and offering environment-contributing products
- - Promoting energy-saving activities
- - Enhancing production efficiency through technological innovation
- - Utilizing renewable energy sources
By continuing to issue CFP reports, NSK is committed to maintaining transparency and reliability regarding their products’ CO₂ emissions, contributing to a carbon-neutral society through business growth.
Overview of NSK
Founded in 1916, NSK was the first company in Japan to produce bearings and has since developed a range of innovative products that support industrial growth globally. With a presence in around 30 countries, NSK is ranked third in the world for bearings and leads in sectors like ball screws and electric power steering systems. NSK aims to contribute to a smoother and safer society through the philosophy of MOTION & CONTROL™, while also promoting environmental conservation. Looking forward to 2026, NSK envisions creating new movements and values to meet societal expectations, thereby balancing corporate advancement with social contributions. For more information about NSK, please visit their official page.