Environmentally Sound Optical Glass (Eco-glass)

Since Nikon was established in 1917 as the first optical glass manufacturer in Japan, we have placed a high priority on the development and manufacture of optical glass designed for use in optical equipment. As part of our antipollution efforts, in the 1970s we ceased the use of cadmium?|a toxic material?|in optical glass.
In the 1990s, we investigated countless optical glass compositions, bearing in mind the possible effects of each on the environment. Approximately 100 types of optical glass contained lead or arsenic. We have recognized that this fact is one of the most significant environmental aspects of our business activities and products. Therefore, we decided to develop a new environmentally sound glass and employ it in our products.
We demanded that the new glass offer optical performance at least equaling that of the glass in use. As such, the optical glass development department and the optical design department initiated a joint effort to investigate a variety of new compositions and design factors. After development was completed and the supply stance solidified, we began introducing eco-glass into our products. Since the year ended March 1999, we have used the new glass across the board in our optical design department. From the second half of the year ended March 2005, we managed to use eco-glass in all Imaging Company products, such as cameras. The Nikon Group is undergoing a major shift to ecoglass at the glass manufacturing departments of Nikon and Hikari Glass. During the year ended March 2007, we achieved an eco-glass utilization rate of over 98% of all glass shipped, at least 950 t, including to non-affiliated companies.
Nikon offers a very extensive range of optical equipment. Because of the sheer diversity, some products incorporate parts that may not accommodate Eco-glass. We will continue to switch over to the new material, however, trying technological limit.