KYOCERA Grows "Green Curtains" of Foliage to Help Meet Energy Reduction Targets in Japan

As part of its ongoing environmental protection activities, and to help meet foreseeable 15% energy reduction targets around Japan due to the effects of the March 11 earthquake, the Kyocera Group is planting "Green Curtains" which are grown on trellises to shade windows and outer walls of manufacturing and office buildings at 19 locations in Japan*. The foliage of the Green Curtains create a screen, preventing direct sunlight and heat radiation from raising the internal temperature of buildings — thus reducing the load on energy-intensive air-conditioners during the hot summer months. Moreover, the company offers a special Web site with do-it-yourself instructions to help encourage people to take up the eco-friendly project at their own homes and businesses. (http://global.kyocera.com/ecology/greencurtains/index.html)

Green Curtains shading the outer walls and windows of a Kyocera Group facility in Japan (Photo: Business Wire)

Green Curtains mitigate temperature increases inside workplaces thus reducing the load on air conditioner units, and can also help reduce the overall operation time. At some of the company's locations with Green Curtains daily air conditioner usage time is reduced thanks to the cooling effect of the Green Curtains in the morning hours.

The Kyocera Group Green Curtain Activities Web site provides an overview of the eco-friendly activity with photos and illustrations showing how to grow your own Green Curtains, complete with a list of materials and step-by-step instructions for planting seeds and constructing trellises.

Kyocera's Green Curtain effort began at its Okaya Plant in Nagano Prefecture, Japan in 2007 as part of the company's energy conservation / climate change prevention activities. The program has since been adopted at other Kyocera Group locations in Japan, and was also undertaken at select Group companies overseas last year. This year, Kyocera will also hold a Green Curtain photo contest for employees to further encourage individuals to take up the activity at their homes as well.

Last year, Green Curtains grown at Kyocera Group locations stretched a total length of 616m (2,021ft), covering a total area of 2,479m² (26,684ft²). This year the company plans for the total area of Green Curtains to be further expanded.

* Locations confirmed at time of release. Additional locations may also participate.

For more photos and additional information:
http://global.kyocera.com/news/2011/0604_hglo.html

For more information about Kyocera CSR Activities:
http://global.kyocera.com/ecology/index.html

About KYOCERA

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, telecommunications equipment, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2011, the company's net sales totaled 1.27 trillion yen (approx. USD15.3 billion). The company is ranked #604 on Forbes magazine's 2011 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.

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