Management Approach

Policy and approach

In 1992, we established our Global Environmental Charter and Action Guidelines, and in 1997, compiled our Environmental Philosophy, Environmental Activity Policy, and Code of Conduct into the "TOYOBO Group Fundamental Policy on the Global Environment" and launched a company-wide global environmental conservation initiative.

In addition to reducing the environmental impact of our business activities, we will contribute to society through people- and planet-friendly technologies.

Structure

Our environmental conservation activities (climate change, waste, water resources, biodiversity, etc.) are promoted by the Climate Change and Biodiversity Committee under the Sustainability Committee. We also establish the Global environment Committee to promote specific initiatives at our business sites and plants.

The Sustainability Committee deliberates on top-level policies and targets for overall sustainability activities, including climate change response. Receiving the report on a regular basis, the Board of Directors approves top-level policies, targets, and other key matters, and supervises the progress of its activities. In fiscal 2022, the Sustainability Committee met four times, and in response, the Board of Directors were reported on five occasions, including regular and extraordinary reports. In fiscal 2023, Sustainability Committee is scheduled to meet six times and report to the Board of Directors at least once every six months.
The committee also manages activities aimed at achieving "a decarbonized and circular society", which are one of the "five social issues" set forth in our “Sustainable Vision 2030”.

The Global Environmental Committee is responsible for formulating and proposing policies and measures for global environment conservation activities to Safety and Disaster Management Division manager and for managing the progress of these measures. The committee is chaired by the General Manager of environment Administration Department and is composed of General Manager and Executive Officer from all business divisions and divisions. In principle, the committee meets once a year.

The Global Environmental Promotion Committee meets four times a year to discuss decisions and implements specific promotion items based on the policy, and exchange information on global environment issues, and decide and implement measures to deal with issues when problems occur. The committee is chaired by the General Manager of environment Administration Department and is consists of members selected by Executive Officer of business units and divisions. They also visit each of our offices, production sites, and group companies to conduct "safety and environment assessment" activities, including supervision of compliance with local environmental laws and regulations.

Organizational Chart

Environmental management system

Basic approach

In order to maintain and improve our environmental conservation efforts, we have established an environmental management system that conforms to the ISO 14001 international standard and other environmental management systems at each of our production sites and laboratories.

In addition, to improve the environmental level of the group, we are continuously conducting "safety and environment assessment" and environmental education for both management and employees.

Certification status of Environmental Management System

As of March 31, 2023, 19 business sites (56% of all group production sites: 19 out of 34 production sites) have acquired external certification for environmental management system standards.

Business Sites Acquiring ISO 14001 Certification

Business Sites Acquiring “Eco Action 21*”

“Eco Action 21” is one of environmental management systems and was developed by Japanese government.

Safety and environment assessment

To improve the safety and environmental level of the group, the Safety and Disaster Management Promotion Committee and the Global Environmental Promotion Committee conduct "safety and environment assessments" as an internal audit of all production sites, including group companies, in accordance with our company's rules. The assessment includes confirmation of the status of various environmental laws and regulations, environmental pollution risk management, and promotion of environmental conservation activities such as energy-saving initiatives.

In addition to annual self-assessments using a checklist, each site undergoes an on-site audit once every three years and takes corrective action if any issues are pointed out. In this way, we are working to maintain and improve the level of management.

Items to be checked in the safety and environment assessment (partial)

• Implementing identification and compliance of legal requirements, meeting regulation values and notification, for factory operation
• Managing the risk of environmental pollution (risk identification, risk assessment, and implementation of preventive measures)
• Promoting environmental conservation activities (energy conservation, waste reduction, green purchasing, etc.)
• Acquiring third-party certification for its environmental management system
• Implementing appropriate management of chemical substances

In fiscal 2022, we carried out the audits at two business sites and three group companies. The audit results showed that all of these sites and companies performed well in terms of safety and environmental management.

Locations at which Audits Have Been Performed in the Last Three Years

Environmental compliance

In addition to complying with applicable laws and regulations, such as the Air Pollution Control Act and the Water Pollution Prevention Act in Japan, the Toyobo group is committed to reducing emissions by not only complying with legal and regulatory standards, but by also making continuous improvements in the prevention of air and water pollution. We will continue to further reduce our environmental impact.

For fiscal 2021 to 2023, there were no environmental-related fines or penalties.

• ESG Performance Data for the number of violations in fiscal 2021-2023 (361KB)

Environmental education

The Toyobo group promotes a variety of educational and awareness activities in order to improve the environmental awareness of the employees and corporate officers, including the management level.

During Environment Month, we hold an annual environmental seminar with outside lecturers invited, in which many employees and corporate officers, including the management level participate. In addition, at each business site, we hold environmental exhibitions featuring panels that introduce our group's environmental activities as well as exhibitions of eco-conscious products, and these introduce the Toyobo group's environmental activities to our employees and the local community.

In addition, we are promoting environmental education through a unique curriculum tailored for new employees.

Environmental seminars

In fiscal 2024, the Toyobo group held a seminar on the topic of biodiversity conservation and introduction of environment DNA methods. Both face-to-face and online seminars were held, with a total of approximately 200 participants.

Past Seminar Themes

• FY 2023: Domestic and overseas Initiatives for biodiversity and natural capital-conscious management
  Biodiversity and human world (What is required of us?)
• FY 2022: Policy Trends Toward Carbon Neutrality by 2050
• FY 2021: From CSR as Ethics to ESG as Strategy New Normal in the Age of SDGs
• FY 2020: Achieving the SDGs and corporate initiatives
• FY 2019: A Changing World with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• FY 2018: CSR and Corporate Environmental Activities

Environmental exhibition

Since 1996, the Toyobo group has held an annual environmental exhibition on employee to deepen employees' understanding of the group's efforts to conserve the global environment (since fiscal 2022, the exhibition has also been held via the Internet). In fiscal 2024, the exhibition took up a special feature entitled "Efforts by Business Sites and Plants for Preservation of the Global environment and Coexistence with Local Communities" and introduced the activities being carried out at business sites and plants throughout Japan to preserve and improve the environment and coexist with local communities.

Past Seminar Themes

FY 2023: Action for "biodiversity conservation"

Environmental education on joining the company

Education upon joining the company is provided not only to fresh hires, but also to mid-career employees at all locations, including at group companies. In addition to explaining plans and achievements regarding the global environmental conservation system and initiatives, the training helps participants understand why environmental protection is important by linking it with the Toyobo Group Charter of Corporate Behavior, and explains what is expected of employees of the Toyobo group.

Session for management

Twice in January and February 2023, we invited an outside lecturer to have sessions on the topic of the “Practice of Sustainability and Disclosure of Information” for Executive Officer. In particular, we deepened our knowledge of new climate-related disclosure standards.

Past Seminar Themes

FY 2023: Carbon neutrality

Other Initiatives

Environmental Accounting

As an initiative to quantitatively evaluate our environmental protection activities, we conduct environmental accounting based on the Environmental Accounting Guidelines 2005 issued by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan. In fiscal 2023, capital investment for environmental protection was ¥4 billion, and the amount spent for protection and maintenance was ¥2.9 billion. This primarily includes the cost of statutory environmental impact measurements, industrial waste disposal, various inspection, and associated personnel costs.

Green purchasing

For general purchases such as office supplies, the Toyobo group promotes green purchasing by specifying target items and utilizing "environmental labels."

In fiscal 2022, we purchased 11 out of 12 targeted items^*, of which nine had a green purchasing rate of 100%. The other two items also accounted for more than 95%. We will continue to expand the range of items covered by the scheme, keeping an eye on the green purchasing rate and trends in the world.

• * Copy paper, toilet paper, files, tape for label printers, computers, copy machines, printers, fax machines, lighting equipment, fire extinguishers, air conditioners (for home use), work clothes and uniforms