In its business activities to manufacture and sell chemicals, the Sanyo Chemical Group has a negative impact on biodiversity, such as through the consumption of natural capital, GHG emissions, and the discharge of harmful substances in the lifecycle from the design and development of products, including the procurement of raw materials, the manufacture of products, transport, product use, and final disposal. However, we also recognize that the products that we offer have a positive impact in contributing to the reduction and improvement of environmental impact. We have worked on activities based on a belief that commitment to a reduction of impact at each stage of the lifecycle, including through energy conservation and reduction of GHG emissions and discharge of pollutants in production activities, energy conservation and reduction of GHG emissions during product use, reduction of harmful substances contained in products, use of biodegradable materials, and non-use of endocrine disrupters for disposal help prevent biodiversity loss, albeit indirectly.
In 2009, we revised the Management Policy on responsible care by adding biodiversity and launched the Sanyo Chemical Woodland project for the purpose of supporting the Kyoto Model Forest Movement. We work on the project on an ongoing basis.
Policy
The management policy regarding responsible care sets out the goal to “deepen understanding and recognition about biodiversity conservation and promote biodiversity-conscious activities,” and defines an activity policy on biodiversity.
Action Policy Concerning Biodiversity
With the acknowledgement that business affects biodiversity, our group will deepen the understanding and acknowledgement of the preservation of biodiversity and promote our activities with consideration for biodiversity.
- We will develop products in consideration of the environment and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity through the provision and diffusion of those products.
- In the procurement of materials, raw materials, office supplies, and others, we will give consideration to the preservation of biodiversity.
- We will reduce the environmental loads, such as the emissions of greenhouse gases, utilization of water resources, and release of chemical substances and waste, from the workplaces so as to alleviate their impact on biodiversity.
- All of our employees will enhance the understanding and acknowledgement of biodiversity and try to increase the awareness of the preservation of biodiversity.
- We will promote efforts in cooperation with the local community.
(Established: 2013)
Involved Initiatives
Declaration of Biodiversity by Keidanren, Japan Business Federation
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)*
- RSPO: An NGO established by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and other organizations in 2004 to produce palm oil while ensuring sustainability by giving consideration to environmental issues, such as logging in rain forests and the shrinking of habitats for wildlife caused by logging, as well as poor working environments and human rights issues on farms. RSPO establishes principles and standards on the production and use of palm oil. It started operating a certification system for palm oil in 2007. Various members participate from across the supply chain, including palm oil producers, traders, and processors.
Education and training
The Sanyo Chemical Woodland project, which is organized by employees who serve as volunteers, raises awareness about biodiversity through forest management, observation of organisms, and forest learning. Since 2010, forest creation activities have been part of the training curriculum for new employees. Employees are required to experience the activities at least once after joining the company. Since the launch of the activities in 2009, a total of 2,019 employees have participated (including 576 employees who have participated in the training for new employees). Forest Maintenance News, an in-house newsletter that carries basic articles about the activities and biodiversity, is posted on our Intranet to raise awareness about biodiversity.
Action on the activity policy
Products that contribute to reduction of environmental impact
We develop and market product groups that contribute to biodiversity by achieving energy conservation, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring durability, long service life (resource conservation), water conservation, removal of harmful substances, non-use of harmful substances, and biodegradability.
Click here for products that contribute to reduction of environmental impact
Regarding protein synthesis using genetically modified organisms, we ensure biosafety so that organisms are not released into the environment. In the field of agri-nutrition (agriculture), which we are about to enter, we are studying the possibility of reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, whose environmental impact is high, by efficiently delivering components essential for plants (e.g., peptides and amino acids) and fully unleashing the yield and quality potential inherent in plants. Reduction in the use of fertilizers and pesticides is expected to reduce the environmental impact during the manufacture of these products and the negative impact on organisms other than the target organisms due to excessive use.
Procurement of raw materials
Since our foundation in the surfactant industry, we have handled bio-based raw materials, including oils and fats. Later, we expanded our business to the petrochemical industry. Although the percentage of bio-based raw materials has decreased, we still use a considerable amount of bio-based raw materials. Regarding raw materials used, we determine whether they are bio-based and identify the species from which they are derived. We purchase oils and fats, higher alcohols, and fatty acids (derivatives) derived from oil palm, coconut palm, rapeseed, soybeans, cattle, and pigs. In FY2023, we started to procure raw materials derived from RSPO-certified palm oil as raw materials for cosmetics. Our group specifies biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, which are presented to suppliers to seek their understanding. The status at suppliers is checked through CSR questionnaires.
Reduction of environmental impact
We endeavor to reduce the biodiversity risk through environmental impact reduction activities in accordance with the Environmental Action Plan, environmental considerations based on the chemical composition design of products, and the provision of compliant products.
Awareness raising of employees and collaboration with local communities
The Sanyo Chemical Woodland project (Yubune district, Wazuka Town, Soraku-gun, Kyoto Prefecture)
We provided funds to the Forest Creation Fund of the Kyoto Model Forest Association to contribute to the development of a healthy forest through a tree-thinning project in Wazuka Town, Soraku-gun, Kyoto Prefecture. The project helps conserve species, increase CO2 absorption by forests, cultivate water sources, and prevent flood damage. In collaboration with local governments, including Wazuka Town, our employees and their families as well as retirees participate in forest management of Yubune Forest Park as volunteers to raise awareness about biodiversity and ensure communication with local communities. We also make donations to the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund every year.
Click here for forestry activities