For a Sustainable Future
About a century ago, Sumitomo Chemical got its start by manufacturing fertilizers from gas emitted from copper smelting operations at the Besshi Copper Mine in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, aiming to solve the environmental problem of smoke pollution while helping to increase agricultural output. The Sumitomo Chemical Group actively promotes dialogue with internal and external stakeholders to continue to live up to the trust it has earned from society. In this way, the Group will continue striving to realize its vision with a sense of speed and determination while honoring the DNA that stretches back to the Company’s founding.
In the Medium-Term Corporate Plan launched in April 2019, we outline what we are striving for, namely, to achieve sustained growth for Sumitomo Chemical and build a sustainable society by creating both economic and social value.
Sumitomo Chemical Group and SDGs
Social Contribution Activities
Sumitomo Chemical, its worksite in Japan and overseas, and Group companies engage in a variety of activities to meet the needs of local communities in order to build good relations with them.
Activities in Japan
[1] Post- East Japan earthquake
reconstruction support
Facing the East Japan big earthquake occurred on March 11, 2011, Sumitomo Chemical set up a "social contribution, post-disaster recovery support group", donated 300 million Yen, and carried out various activities for the reconstruction of disaster areas, for example, using food ingredients from the Northeast and North Kanto areas in the company canteen, sending volunteers to disaster areas, providing pesticides and insect nets developed by Sumitomo Chemical with the total value of 150 million Yen for disaster areas for free, etc.
[2] Revitalization of the science education
programs of the local primary and secondary schools
In order to stimulate the interest in "science" of children who shoulder the important task of the future, great efforts were made to carry out a variety of comprehensive chemical enterprise type activities to comply with local needs of the business institutes. For example, accept local high school students for internship and organize "home teaching" of science, etc.
[3] Organizing local residents to visit the factory
Organize local residents to visit factories and research institutes, hold local exchange gatherings and participate in local gatherings and other activities, publish information appropriately and communicate with locals, at the same time try to build and maintain good relationship with local residents so as to further their understanding about the company.
Activities in the World
[1] Revitalizing Africa through
the "OLYSET ™ NET" career
Develop insect nets "OLYSET ™ NET with innovative technology to protect the body from being bitten by insects which transmit malaria, and supply them to Africa-centered areas. In order to meet the rapidly growing demand, this technology was provided freely to Tanzania bed net manufacturers and it had been put into production in 2003 in local areas, which has created 7,000 job opportunities. In addition, part of revenues had been used for primary and secondary school construction and education support activities of eight countries including Tanzania and Kenya (by November 2011).
[2] Support activities of flood-affected areas of Thailand
In order to assist flooded area in Thailand, Sumitomo Chemical donated thirty million yen to Thailand through a non-profit organization named "World Vision Japan" for the emergency supply of food and temporary toilets, etc.
[3] "Sumitomo Chemical Forest"
tree planting activity in Lanongfu of Thailand
From the point of prevention of global warming and preservation of biological diversity, Sumitomo Chemical carried out mangrove tree-planting activities in Lanongfu of Thailand from the beginning of 2008 cooperated with public welfare consortium corporation OISCA.
The tree planting activity area is named after and managed by "Sumitomo Chemical Forest". About 175,000 mangroves have survived in the area of 70 hectares by March 2011. Besides, in order to assist the development of activities and strengthen the communication with local residents, volunteers and visiting missions are scheduled to the tree planting activity area every year since 2008.
[4] Activity of TABLE FOR TWO
In order to improve the equilibrium state of world food, Sumitomo Chemical started to carry out the activities of TABLE FOR TWO from May 2008 i.e. supplying "healthy set meal" in the company canteen. 20 Yen will be donated to primary and secondary schools of developing countries as school meal fee if one healthy set meal is consumed.
Responsible Care
The Sumitomo Chemical Group has positioned Responsible Care activities as one of its most important management pillars. Based on the core principle of “Making safety our first priority,” the Group has set goals for each of the following fields: occupational safety and health; industrial safety and disaster prevention; environmental protection; climate change; product stewardship, product safety, and quality assurance; Responsible Care audits; and logistics. The Group is working to achieve the goals it has set.
