Sumitomo Bakelite aims to deliver safety and reliability as well as achieve harmony with the environment and coexistence with society. We are working to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by resolving various issues facing society through our businesses, including energy issues and environmental issues, linking all our activities to the SDGs. Toward that end, we carry out activities focused on social issues and businesses in need of attention in a steady manner while establishing plans and targets.
Issues related to ensuring harmony with environment
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reduction in CO2 emissions | Domestic | 62% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 65% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 64% reduction from fiscal 2013 | ○ |
Overseas | 15% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 24% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 24% reduction from fiscal 2013 | ○ | |
Reduction in material loss | Domestic | 14% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 18% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 21% reduction from fiscal 2013 | ○ |
Overseas | 16% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 22% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 30% reduction from fiscal 2013 | ○ | |
Reduction in chemical substance emissions | Domestic | 65% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 56% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 69% reduction from fiscal 2013 | ▼ |
Overseas | 33% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 23% reduction from fiscal 2013 | 46% reduction from fiscal 2013 | ▼ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Energy conservation activities | As in fiscal 2021, continue to provide technical support by establishing an energy conservation plan and raising the level of energy-saving technology by sharing information across all our business sites in Japan, and achieve this overseas by promoting the rollout of best practices through collaboration between the mother plants in Japan and offices throughout the company. In addition, the installation of solar power generation facilities will be examined at each of the bases in Japan and overseas as CN promotion. | In Japan, the implementation of this concrete plan reduced energy consumption equivalent to 3,710 kL of crude oil. As part of our promotion of carbon neutrality, the company maintained its contracts for electricity from renewable energy at all of its domestic business sites in fiscal 2022. Overseas, we reduced energy consumption equivalent to 2,607 kL of crude oil by continuing to promote the rollout of best practices. |
As in fiscal 2022, continue to provide technical support by establishing an energy conservation plan and raising the level of energy-saving technology by sharing information across all our business sites in Japan, and achieve this overseas by promoting the rollout of best practices through collaboration between the mother plants in Japan and offices throughout the company. In addition, the installation of solar power generation facilities will be examined at each of the bases in Japan and overseas as CN promotion. | ○ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Biotope conservation |
• Continue with self-led conservation activities. • Continue to be open to the public and communicating externally, including regular dialogue with schools. |
• Promoted conservation through voluntary activities (maintenance by the relevant parties) and site-wide activities (beautification activities within business sites). • Public exhibitions were still being canceled as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so there were no visitors from the general public. • Thanks to ongoing dialogue with schools, 365 schoolchildren visited on school excursions—the highest number ever. Also, visiting guest lessons were presented at four schools (for a total of 356 students). |
• Continue with self-led conservation activities. • Continue to be open to the public and communicating externally, including regular dialogue with schools. |
○ |
Initiatives to protect forest ecosystems |
• Continuing to support forest thinning mainly in Iwate Prefecture through the use of Paper Products that Contribute to Forest Thinning (Forest Neighborhood Association). |
• Continuing to support forest thinning mainly in Iwate Prefecture through the use of Paper Products that Contribute to Forest Thinning (Forest Neighborhood Association). |
• Continuing to support forest thinning mainly in Iwate Prefecture through the use of Paper Products that Contribute to Forest Thinning (Forest Neighborhood Association). |
○ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Themes for providing safety and reliability
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Prevention of occupational accidents | Fatal accidents at domestic sites: 0 | Fatal accidents at domestic sites: 0 | Fatal accidents at domestic sites: 0 | ○ |
Fatal accidents at overseas sites: 0 | Fatal accidents at overseas sites: 0 | Fatal accidents at overseas sites: 0 | ○ | |
Security and disaster prevention | Serious accidents (fires/explosions): 0 | Serious accidents (fires/explosions): 0 | Serious accidents (fires/explosions): 0 | ○ |
Spills out of the premises: 0 | Spills out of the premises: 1 | Spills out of the premises: 0 | ▼ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chemical substance management |
• Strengthening the comprehensive management system: Preparation of raw materials data. System efficiency study on REACH quantity monitoring. • Promotion of compliance with laws and regulations in each country: Monitoring information and establishing policies for the revision of laws and regulations concerning chemical substances in Japan and overseas. Implementation of measures accompanying the revision of the PRTR Law and Industrial Safety and Health Act. |
• Utilized quantity counting functions of Japanese Chemical Substances Control Act such as REACH to check the chemical substance content, and made a report about it in 2022. • Complete revision of SDSs in response to revision of PRTR Law. We are still implementing our response to the revision of and Industrial Safety and Health Act. |
• Promotion of compliance with laws and regulations in each country: Monitoring information and establishing policies for the revision of laws and regulations concerning chemical substances in Japan and overseas. Continued implementation of measures accompanying the revision of Industrial Safety and Health Act. Response to changes in chemical regulations, particularly in the EU. |
○ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
'Monozukuri' Audits |
• Japan: Nine business sites under our direct control/belonging to subsidiary companies. • Improve system to further enhance internal audits. |
• Japan: Nine business sites under our direct control/belonging to subsidiary companies. • In order to enhance internal audits, we included guidance on how to review the content of questions and identify and correct issues in our training to facilitate deeper exploration of issues in a unified manner. |
• Japan: Nine business sites under our direct control/belonging to subsidiary companies. • Improve system to further enhance internal audits. |
○ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
CSR procurement |
• Secure stable procurement of raw materials affected by carbon neutrality. • BCP measures for special raw materials produced by SB-Kawasumi are implemented. • Secure stable procurement of green chemicals. • Secure power derived from renewable energy in Japan after 2023, and pursue investigation and introduction of solar and biomass power generation at domestic and overseas bases. |
• Begin investigation of and evaluation of alternatives to raw materials affected by carbon neutrality. • List the raw materials at risk for SB-Kawasumi, and prepare and implement a BCP response plan. • Secure Bio-PE, ensure supply framework for furfuryl alcohol, and conduct market research into bio-phenol and bio-methanol. • Secure sufficient power derived from renewable energy for business sites in Japan in 2023, and increase amount of solar power generated by 3.4 times in Japan and 15.6 times overseas compared to 2021. |
• Investigate use of minerals survey templates in relevant supply chains for existing raw materials in order to continue our efforts for responsible mineral procurement. • Conduct surveys of major suppliers using CSR check sheets. • Secure stable procurement of green chemicals. • Support procurement of power derived from renewable energy and adoption of solar power generation. |
○ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Issues impacting society
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Improvement of customer satisfaction |
• Activities conducted until last year will continue, and we will also strengthen human resource development elements to ensure customer trust. In particular, personal know-how is shared. |
•We held face-to-face business briefings with trading firms for the first time in three years, and were able to interact with customers while introducing actual products. • We exhibited at mobility-related exhibitions (Automotive Engineering Exposition 2022, Car-Ele Japan 2023), and IoT-related exhibitions (CEATEC 2022). Approximately 2,000 customers came to our booths, where we conducted business negotiations and introduced our latest initiatives for addressing social issues such as the environment and SDGs. |
• Promote making activities visible and encourage change in employee awareness to take the extra step beyond “customer satisfaction” to “impressing customers.” Under our policy of “making customer satisfaction (CS) a top priority,” our CS Promotion Committee highlights QCDS activities throughout the entire company, and strives to implement CS activities that facilitate participation by departments with few points of contact with customers, as well as employees at overseas locations and subsidiaries. |
○ |
Dissemination/Advertising of company information |
• Develop and update contents for information dissemination tools through a wide range of media including external advertising, billboards, and websites. • Provide company-wide support for social contribution activities. |
• Continued to provide support for the Japan Inclusive Football Federation, which the company signed a partnership agreement with. |
• Develop and update contents for information dissemination tools through a wide range of media including external advertising, billboards, and websites. • Provide company-wide support for social contribution activities. |
○ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Development of products that contribute to the environment and SDGs |
• Expanding ratio of revenue from SDG-contributing product and technology sales |
• Expanding ratio of net sales from SDG-contributing product and technology sales |
• Expanding ratio of revenue from SDG-contributing product and technology sales |
○ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Internal human resource training |
• Continue to carry out employee training at SB School. • Continue to carry education for management staff. |
• A total of approximately 29,000 employees attended, Approx. 43,000 hours of education provided. |
• Continue to carry out employee training at SB School. • Continue to carry education for management staff. |
○ |
Women's empowerment |
• Continue a ratio of female career-track recruits of 20% or greater. |
• Ratio of female hirees: 26% (7 of 27 hirees recruited upon graduation). • In September 2022, we declared our commitment to promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) as our first step toward promoting the empowerment of women. • Conduct training for both executive level and management level. |
• Continue a ratio of female career-track recruits of 20% or greater. • Establish DE&I Promotion Office. • Establish Women's Empowerment Working Group. • Conduct education and awareness-raising activities with the goal of increasing the ratio of female employees in management positions to 5% by 2025. • Start activities for LGBTQ people, and employees with employment restrictions due to nursing care, disabilities, etc. |
○ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Employment of people with disabilities |
• Employment rate for people with disabilities: Maintain statutory employment rate of 2.3% or more. • Continue internships for people with disabilities. |
• Employment rate of people with disabilities: 2.72%. • Internships accepted from schools for the deaf: Two from two schools, one of whom will be hired in April 2024. |
• Employment rate for people with disabilities: Maintain statutory employment rate of 2.5% or more • Continued internships for people with disabilities. |
○ |
Work-style reform |
• Continue to support work with both childcare & nursing care. • Promotion of taking of birth leave and parental leave for men. • Shorten prescribed work hours for shift workers • Increase the number of days of simultaneous downtime at the production plant. |
• A 100% rate of returning to work after taking childcare leave (No nursing care leave taken). • Childcare leave participation rate in fiscal 2022: 25.9% for men, 100% for women. • Implementation of regular working hours for shift workers: 1,849 hrs/yr ⇒ 1,834 hrs/yr (▲15 hrs). • Increase in the number of days of simultaneous downtime at production plants: 20 days/yr ⇒ 22 days/yr. • Relaxation of the number of consolidated working hours at production sites: 10 times/yr ⇒ 8 times/yr. |
• Continue to support work with both childcare & nursing care. • Continued promotion of the taking of birth leave and parental leave for men. • Flexible start time when working from home. • Increased number of days of annual paid leave. • Expansion of menstrual leave. • Liberalization of dress codes at work. |
○ |
Promoting |
• Continue implementing the Data Health Plan, preventing the worsening of illnesses in our company and certain Group companies in Japan. • Continue to achieve a 100% rate of employees receiving regular scheduled health checks. • Increase the specific health guidance rate. |
• Continued efforts to prevent illnesses from becoming severe. • Achieve a 100% rate of employees receiving regular scheduled health checks. |
• Continue implementing the Data Health Plan, preventing the worsening of illnesses in our company and certain Group companies in Japan. • Continue to achieve a 100% rate of employees receiving regular scheduled health checks. • Increase the specific health guidance rate. • Achieve recognition under Certified Health and Productivity Management Organization Outstanding Recognition Program. |
▼ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Fundamental Themes
Major items | Fiscal 2022 targets | Fiscal 2022 results | Fiscal 2023 plan | Achievement evaluation |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compliance promotion |
• Revision of Our Code of Conduct and establishment of Group Code of Ethics (replacing existing Group Code of Business Ethics and Conduct). • Partial revision of the Compliance Reporting System with the revision of the Whistleblower Protection Act in mind. • Promoting compliance awareness activities (dissemination of our Code of Conduct, Group Code of Ethics and whistle-blowing system, review of Compliance Slogans, in-house newsletters, e-learning training, etc.). |
• Completed revision of our Code of Conduct and establishment of the Group Code of Ethics in July 2022. • Completed revision of Compliance Whistleblower System in June 2022. • Conducted compliance awareness activities in October 2022. |
• Implementing company-wide compliance training in the Compliance Enhancement Month (Our Code of Conduct, Group Code of Ethics, overview of internal whistleblowing system etc.). • Compliance awareness by publishing ”Way to Become a Compliance Master!” (4-panel comics + commentary) in our in-house newsletter. |
○ |
○: Target attained △: Target not attained (but improvement over the previous fiscal year) ▼: Target not attained (deterioration from the previous fiscal year)
Topics More
- 2024/12/06 Sustainability Integrated Report 2024 of Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. has been issued.
- 2024/10/01 Sustainability Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. signed to the UN Global Compact
- 2024/02/01 Sustainability Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. announces its establishment of “Human Rights Policy for the Group of Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.”
- 2023/06/21 Sustainability Selected as an iSTOXX® MUTB Japan Platinum Carrier 150 Index