Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives
The Sumitomo Seika Group advocates a global societal goal of "Nature Positive" and, based on such intended concept, promotes a variety of initiatives that are in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) in December 2022. The Framework sets forth a shared vision of realizing a “World of Living in Harmony with Nature” by 2050.
The Sumitomo Seika Group, in alignment with this global vision, ensures giving due consideration to the conservation of biodiversity in its business activities and will work to conserve and restore ecosystems through collaboration with stakeholders such as local communities and all others concerned.
- Nature Positive: The concept of halting and reversing biodiversity loss to promote the conservation and restoration of nature.
Sumitomo Seika Group Biodiversity Guidelines
We at the Sumitomo Seika Group have established the following guidelines to enhance our eco-conscious business activities in accordance with two of the Group's key management principles, "Basic Policies on Sustainability" and "Environmental Policy".
- Reducing environmental impacts with due consideration for influence on biodiversityWe perform proper management about chemical substances, greenhouse gas emissions, water resources, wastes, etc.
- Promoting sustainable use and procurement of resourcesWe carry out responsible management with respect to resources we use for our raw materials and products through examining how we can best procure and use such resources with due consideration for biodiversity.
- Surveying and grasping the natural environment around the local sites of our business activitiesWe grasp the situation of ecosystems around our business sites by surveying biodiversity and species conditions in the green spaces and waters surrounding the business sites and make the best use of findings from the survey in our initiatives to conserve biodiversity.
- Providing Employee EducationWe provide all employees with education and training to ensure that they understand the importance of biodiversity and act with consideration for its conservation in their daily business work and conduct.
- Promoting Cooperation with local communities and others concernedWe engage in information exchange and dialogue with stakeholders such as local communities and cooperate with experts in the conservation of the regional natural environment.
- Conducting constant reviews and reportingWe periodically assess the effectiveness of our foregoing initiatives and strive for any improvement, while disclosing information about the results of such Group-wide efforts on the website of Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Company and in its Integrated Reports issued annually.
Established on March 9, 2026
Proximity Assessment of Sumitomo Seika Group's Production Sites to Biodiversity-rich and Nature Conservation Areas
In our Environmental Policy, we state that we will mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity arising from our business activities and endeavor to maximize positive impacts. In addition, we established the Sumitomo Seika Group Biodiversity Guidelines to ensure consideration of biodiversity in our business activities and to contribute to the conservation and restoration of ecosystems through cooperation with local communities and stakeholders.
We assessed the proximity of all production sites within our Group (a total of 10 sites in Japan and overseas) to biodiversity-rich and nature conservation areas by surveying the conditions within a 5‑km radius using the IBAT*1.
The survey confirmed that none of our production sites are in proximity to areas under IUCN Categories*2 Ia, Ib, II, and III, or to wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention*3, all of which require strict protection. On the other hand, as shown in the table below, the survey confirmed that eight sites are in proximity to areas under IUCN Categories IV, V, and VI, and three to KBAs*4.
Fully aware that we are engaged in production activities in these environmentally important areas, we will continue our efforts to mitigate negative impacts on biodiversity and to expand positive impacts.
Number of Nature Conservation Areas in the Vicinity of Sumitomo Seika Group's Production Sites (as of March 5, 2026)
| Companies | Production sites | Locations | IUCN Categories*2 | Wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention*3 | Key Biodiversity Areas*4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd. | Himeji Works | Himeji City, Hyogo, Japan | 4（Ⅳ,Ⅵ） | 0 | 0 |
| Befu Works | Kako-gun, Hyogo, Japan | 2（Ⅳ,Ⅵ） | 0 | 0 | |
| Chiba Works | Yachiyo City, Chiba, Japan | 4（Ⅳ,Ⅴ） | 0 | 0 | |
| Sumitomo Seika Europe S.A./N.V. | Arkema S.A. (toll manufacturing partner) | Saint-Avold、France | 2（Ⅳ） | 0 | 0 |
| Sumitomo Seika Polymers Korea Co., Ltd. | Yeosu Works | Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do, Korea | 2（Ⅳ,Ⅵ） | 0 | 0 |
| Sumisei Chemical Co., Ltd. | Jangan Works | Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea | 1（Ⅳ） | 0 | 1 |
| Sumisei Chemical Co., Ltd. | Paju Works | Paju-si,Gyeonggi-do, Korea | 3（Ⅳ,Ⅵ） | 0 | 1 |
| Sumisei Technology (Yangzhou) Co., Ltd. | Yangzhou Works | Yizheng City, Jiangsu Province, China | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sumisei Taiwan Technology Co., Ltd. | ChangPing Works | Siansi Township, ChangHua County, Taiwan | 2（Ⅳ） | 0 | 1 |
| Sumitomo Seika Singapore Pte. Ltd. | Singapore Works | Sakra Rd, Singapore | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- IBAT: Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool
A biodiversity assessment tool established by BirdLife International, the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Conservation International (CI). - IUCN Categories:
Categories established by the IUCN and assigned to areas legally protected by national governments. These are based on the management objectives of protected areas and enable international comparison across national protected area networks.
Ia: Strict nature reserve; Ib: Wilderness area; II: National park; III: Natural monument; IV: Habitat/species management area; V: Protected landscape; VI: Managed resource protected area - Ramsar Convention Wetlands:
Ramsar sites: Wetlands designated and managed by respective countries in accordance with international standards stipulated in the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention). - KBA: Key Biodiversity Areas
Areas identified as making significant contributions to the global persistence of biodiversity. Sites that meet one or more of the 11 criteria, which are grouped into five categories (threatened biodiversity, geographically restricted biodiversity, ecological integrity, biological processes, and irreplaceability) are recognized as global KBAs.
