At present, the global environment and human society face a number of serious challenges. I am concerned that many species, including humans, may struggle to survive if things do not move in the right direction. However, companies around the world are discussing and taking action to address various challenges, including climate change, so I believe that things will improve in the future.
Shifting Business to Carbon Neutrality and Quality of Life Improvements
The Sanyo Chemical Group has determined that its current business model is not sustainable and has decided to contribute to a sustainable society in order for the company to grow as well. In line with this, in 2022, we have established a long-term management policy by identifying our materiality, and have decided to shift the business of the future Sanyo Chemical Group towards carbon neutrality and improving quality of life (QOL). We are currently implementing the new Medium-Term Management Plan 2025, the first stage of our strategy, which focuses on business model transformation.
Initiatives Addressing ESG, and Business Collaborations
We are also focusing on ESG, such as reducing CO2 emissions from our factories, enforcing a safety culture, improving the workplace environment, and ensuring transparency in decision-making bodies.
Last year, we also appointed an executive officer in charge of sustainability, and we have also made progress in the effectiveness of the transfer of authority.
This year, the Internal Audit Office began to focus its investigations on the human rights of workers and the communities of raw material manufacturers from which we procure.
On the other hand, I feel that there is a limit to what one company can do on both climate change and a circular society, and that we must work together with industrial groups and other companies.
I strongly believe that the idea of multiple companies taking advantage of their respective areas of expertise to respond in each area will become even more necessary in the future.
Pursuing Safety, and Ideal Factories
Safety is always our top priority. Under the new Medium-Term Management Plan 2025, we are upgrading our facilities to be safer, more efficient, and more stable in order to further strengthen our safety initiatives.
We also invite external safety experts to our Safety Education Center to continue training with the aim of fostering a safety culture, such as awareness of the safety of employees, and the HR development of engineers working at factories.
This enables the realization of safe manufacturing sites with a low employee burden.
My ideal is to circulate all waste, water, and air within a factory.
I know that we have to overcome many challenges in order to achieve that, but as an executive, I think it is important to continue to have that ideal.
Outside Director Aya Shirai Assumes Position of Chairman of the Board of Directors
In June 2024, Outside Director Aya Shirai assumed the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors. She has served as the mayor of Amagasaki City for eight years and has experience in dealing with the tragic JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment incident as the head of a local government. She has also served as an outside director for other companies, bringing unique insights as an outside director to the direction our company should take. I believe that stakeholders expect the Board of Directors to operate with a high degree of transparency that incorporates external perspectives.
To Our Stakeholders
By promoting businesses that contribute to carbon neutrality and QOL improvement, we aim to make a positive impact on society, continuously generate profits, and achieve sustainable growth.
And we will put our company mission, “Establish a better society through our corporate activities,” into practice by returning value to our employees, shareholders, and other stakeholders.
We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation with our efforts, and would be grateful if you could share your opinions and requests with us.
September, 2024
Representative Director, President, and CEO
