The Kao Way, our corporate philosophy, states that our mission is to create a Kirei life for all̶providing care and enrichment for the life of all people and the planet. From the perspective of biodiversity, we believe that caring for all people and the planet means maximizing the value to people, society and the planet by minimizing reliance and impacts on nature without exceeding the capacity of natural production and regeneration.
• Reduce the use of raw materials and switch to raw materials that can be sustainably procured and have lower environmental impact
Biodiversity surveys conducted in green spaces
Internal educational events taught by outside experts held
Plans to expand the area for planting native wild plants
2021 CO2 emissions across the product lifecycle: 11,398 thousand tons
CO2 emissions across the product lifecycle: 22% reduction by 2030 (compared to 2017)
4% of the absolute full lifecycle CO2 emissions (Base year: 2017) reduction and 20% absolute scope 1 + 2 CO2 emissions (Base year: 2017) reduction in 2021
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 10,000 thousand tons-CO2 through the provision of Kao Group products and services.
Reduction of net carbon emissions to zero by 2040 and becoming carbon negative by 2050
Reducing the volume of leaked refrigerants and other greenhouse gases
Water use (per unit of sales): 45% reduction (compared to 2005)
5% reduction in full lifecycle water use per unit of sales (Base year: 2017)
Multiple plants including Kao Chemicals GmbH in Germany conduct efforts to increase the number of times that water is reused for boilers and for cooling to reduce their water consumption.
Rainwater is collected and used to water green spaces at the Sumida Office, Kao Chemical Corporation Shanghai and Fatty Chemical (Malaysia).
Active recycling efforts, such as recovering steam and treating and reusing water that has been used in production processes, are being carried out at many plants.
Energy consumption (per unit of sales): 1% reduction annually
38% of renewable energy in electricity consumption
In June 2021 we joined the RE100 global corporate renewable energy initiative, and we have set ourselves the target of having 100% of electricity purchased by all Kao Group sites be generated using renewable energy by 2025, and of having 100% of electricity used by the Kao Group sites be generated using renewable energy by 2030.
100% renewable sources in the electric power usage
We undertook 167 energy-saving activities at Japanese plants and offices in 2021, resulting in approximately 5,327 tons of CO2 reduction and 190 million yen in cost reduction for the year
We are promoting the introduction of solar photovoltaic power generation systems for on-site power generation at Kao-owned facilities. In 2021, the systems installed at the Sakata Plant, Kawasaki Plant, Kao Chimigraf and PT Kao Indonesia Chemicals started generating electricity. The total power generating capacity of these systems was 6,970 MWh in 2021.
We are also promoting the purchasing of electric power that is generated using renewable energy.
Quantity of plastics used in packaging: Will peak and begin to decline by 2030
By 2030, 100% of our products will leave a full lifecycle environmental footprint that science says our natural world can safety absorb.
1% of recycled plastic in plastic packaging
14% ％ reduction of discarded products and discarded sales promotion materials (Base year: 2020)
We are aiming to realize net zero waste for plastic packaging by 2040, and negative waste for plastic packaging by 2050. We will also be maximizing our contribution toward helping society as a whole to reduce plastic packaging usage
We are promoting the adoption of refill and replacement products.
The use of plastic film packaging enables us to slash the use of plastic by around 75% compared to plastic bottles.
We are exploring the possibility of in-store refilling whereby consumers bring packaging to the store and purchase only the products they are filled with.
Adopted a “take-back” system for some products, whereby we take back used containers from customers and then clean them
and reuse them
Disclosing VOC and COD emissions pertaining to our business activities will improve the transparency of occupational safety measures and pollution measures. Maintaining employees’ health and mitigating risks posed by pollution will contribute to lowering operational costs and improving profitability.
Using cleaner fossil fuels
Reducing emissions of chemical substances subject to the Japanese PRTR system
Reducing emissions of VOCs
Smart Distribution in partnership with Lion Corporation to reduce the distances that trucks are travelling without loads, by comparison with conventional transportation methods, and is expected to result in a 45% reduction in atmospheric pollutants emissions for both companies combined.
Initiatives taken in relation to our products LUNAJET water-based pigment inkjet ink, featuring a VOC-free design
