Top Message／Sustainability of Sumitomo Seika Group
Top Message
Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd. began its business during World War II by manufacturing and selling fertilizers, contributing to Japan’s postwar reconstruction. Subsequently, we shifted our core business to industrial chemicals and are today engaged in the businesses of super absorbent polymers (SAP) and functional materials. Underlying these business undertakings is “Jiri Rita Koushi Ichinyo,” the Sumitomo Group’s long-cherished business spirit, which means that Sumitomo’s business must benefit not only Sumitomo itself but also the nation and society. As an array of problems that threaten the sustainability of the global environment and society at large are becoming increasingly serious in recent years, the Sumitomo Seika Group believes that it assumes corporate responsibility for contributing to conserving the global environment or resolving major social issues through business conducted following this time-honored business spirit.
Recently, Sumitomo Seika Chemicals announced the Medium-Term Business Plan for years through the end of FY2025. Among the key components of the Plan is “Boost Sustainability Initiatives,” which expresses our firm commitment to promote sustainability-oriented management to enhance our business sustainability by constantly striving to contribute to conserving the global environment or resolving vital social problems through business activities. In particular, climate-related issues are the most pressing, given that climate changes have already impacted in various ways the ecosystem and people’s lives. Under the Business Plan, the Sumitomo Seika Group has set for itself targets of reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted by the Group in Japan by 46% or more by 2030 (vs. 2013) and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. To this end, we will continually endeavor to reduce the amount of energy we use and streamlining manufacturing processes in the Group. Furthermore, we will work on a variety of other initiatives that can serve to reduce GHG emissions across society, such as developing technologies for CO2 separation and recovery and expanding the lines of products that are conducive to the environmental preservation.
In order to help facilitate these initiatives, we have established “Sumitomo Seika Group’s Principles on Sustainability” and “Sumitomo Seika’s Policies for Sustainability Initiatives.” They are guidelines which every member of the Sumitomo Seika Group should always turn to when attending to their daily duties with a clear awareness of target achievement concerning sustainability, Bearing the Principles and the Policies in mind, we will do our best to play a part in conserving the global environment and solving major social issues through everyday business activities,. Your continued support will be most appreciated.
OGAWA Ikuzo, President
Sustainability of Sumitomo Seika Group
Sumitomo Seika Group’s Principles on Sustainability
The Sumitomo Seika Group will contribute to the realizing a prosperous and sustainable future through developing creative technologies and supplying unique, high quality products, in accordance with its Corporate Mission.
The Sumitomo Seika Group believes that it assumes corporate responsibility for resolving globally vital social issues from a long-term perspective. Through promoting sustainability-management by tackling those issues, the Group will contribute to the development of a sustainable society where humans and the Earth can live together.
Sumitomo Seika’s Policies for Sustainability Initiatives
The Sumitomo Seika Group will promote initiatives to realize Sustainability, based on the following policies.
- We will deliver products that will make people’s lives more comfortable, develop products that will satisfy their needs with functionality, and supply advanced products and services that will support the foundation of industries.
- We, as a chemical manufacturer, will attach the highest priority to ensuring “zero accidents and zero injuries” and strive to achieve and maintain safe and stable plant operation as well as safe transportation of products we produce.
- We will conduct thorough quality management of our products and services so that our customers can use them to their satisfaction and with confidence.
- We will properly assess possible impacts of our products and production processes on humans and the environment to ensure their safety and promote environmental stewardship.
- We will disclose to society the progress of our initiatives for Sustainability, promote dialogue with a variety of stakeholders, and reflect the outcome of such dialogue adequately in our business management.
- We will provide a sound work environment for our employees to word safely and in good health both physically and mentally, and will also nurture a corporate culture that inspires the employees to challenge themselves to new or difficult tasks.
- We, as a responsible corporate citizen, will contribute, through our business activities, to the development of a sustainable society where humans and the Earth can live together.
Sustainability Committee
The Sustainability Committee considers medium- and long-term environmental and social issues together from the perspective of risks and opportunities and encourages management that takes the Group’s sustainability viewpoints into consideration.
Organization
Duties of the Committee
- Formulating policies for the sustainability of the Sumitomo Seika Group and devising sustainability plans
- Verifying progress made toward sustainability through Sumitomo Seika Chemicals and group companies, and making improvements
- Other matters necessary to promote sustainability-focused management
Participation in Initiatives
OSAKA Zero Carbon Foundation
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
What is Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
In September 2015, all the UN members (193 countries) adopted the 2030 Agenda, which is a plan to eliminate extreme poverty, inequality and injustice to protect our planet and realize a better future over the next 15 years.
As an action plan for people, planet and prosperity, the Agenda includes a Declaration and Goals.
This is a set of 17 Goals and 169 Targets called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In accordance with fundamental policies for “Sumitomo Seika Group’s Principles on Sustainability”, we contributing to the development of a sustainable society by addressing the challenges of the SDGs, which are goals shared worldwide.
