Kyocera Honored with 2012 Environmental Excellence Award from the Industrial Environmental Association

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--By fundamentally altering its freight-shipping practices, Kyocera Communications Inc., a San Diego-based provider of wireless phones in the Americas and a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., was able to prevent more than 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2011. In recognition of these efforts, the company today earned a “2012 Environmental Excellence Award” from the Industrial Environmental Association (IEA) in the category of Climate Change. The award was presented at the organization’s 28^th Annual Environmental Summit in San Diego.

“We are very excited that this change in our business makes Kyocera more efficient while reducing our carbon footprint. The fact that it helps our bottom line is an added bonus.”

"On behalf of the Industrial Environmental Association I am pleased to announce Kyocera Communications Inc. as the winner of this year's Environmental Excellence Award in the category of Climate Change," said Jack Monger, executive director at IEA. "Kyocera has proven to be a leader in this category through its efficient packaging and shipping methods that have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by an impressive amount, and it's a privilege to recognize the company at our 28^th Annual Environmental Summit."

Previously, Kyocera’s mobile phones were shipped in full retail packaging to the U.S. market from an overseas Kyocera manufacturing facility. In 2011, Kyocera moved the retail packaging process to the U.S., allowing phones to be shipped from overseas in bulk packaging. Instead of shipping 240 fully packaged devices per pallet the company was able to ship 3,600 devices per pallet, a 1,500 percent increase that substantially reduced the overall number of freight shipments required. Along with preventing more than 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2011, the change generated considerable savings on freight-shipping costs and proved that green business practices can be smart business decisions.

“Kyocera takes great pride in our commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship, and we’re grateful to the IEA for recognizing our efforts,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. "We are very excited that this change in our business makes Kyocera more efficient while reducing our carbon footprint. The fact that it helps our bottom line is an added bonus.”

In addition to the IEA award, Kyocera recently received the Director’s Recycling Award for environmental programs from the City of San Diego's Environmental Services Department (ESD). It was the twelfth consecutive year the City has awarded Kyocera for its recycling efforts. Kyocera has earned 19 such awards from the City – more than any other business in San Diego, according to the ESD.

Kyocera Corp. was founded 53 years ago with a philosophy of “harmonious coexistence” and a commitment to social responsibility and environmental protection. In 2011 Kyocera Communications recycled more than 26,730 pounds of paper, plastic, electronic and other waste materials otherwise destined for landfills. These efforts, along with changes in the domestic distribution of its mobile devices, allowed Kyocera to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.

More information about Kyocera Communications, including its ISO-14001 certification for environmental management systems, is available at www.kyocera-wireless.com. Information about Kyocera Corporation’s global environmental and social responsibility efforts is available at http://global.kyocera.com/company/csr.

About Kyocera Communications Inc.

Kyocera Communications Inc. (KCI) is the headquarters for Kyocera-branded wireless products and accessories in the Americas. The company's devices are driving the convergence of telecommunications, broadband and multimedia. KCI was formed in April 2009 through the combination of Kyocera Wireless Corp. and Kyocera Sanyo Telecommunications Inc., two wholly owned subsidiaries of Kyocera International Inc. The former was created when Kyocera purchased QUALCOMM Incorporated's consumer wireless phone business in 2000, while the latter was formed when Kyocera purchased the wireless phone business of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. in 2008. Based in San Diego, KCI leverages Japan's history of creating advanced consumer technologies around humanism and respect for the environment and blending them with a Western entrepreneurialism and style, resulting in a unique design language and a natural, user-friendly interface. For more information, please visit http://www.kyocera-wireless.com or follow the company on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kyoceramobilephones.

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 telecommunications equipment, printers, copiers, solar power generating systems, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2012, the company's net sales totaled 1.19 trillion yen (approx. USD14.5 billion). The company is ranked #426 on Forbes magazine's 2012 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.