PSA (Portfolio Sustainability Assessment) System
“The Chemical Industry Methodology for Portfolio Sustainability Assessments (PSA)” which were Released in 2018 by the World Business Council for Sustainability Development (WBCSD), is a guideline offering chemical companies a consistent methodology for assessing sustainability of their product portfolios. The Kuraray Group PSA system was constructed in accordance with these guidelines. By utilizing this PSA system, we are able to assess our portfolio with a high degree of objectivity and transparency. The Kuraray Group will continue using the PSA system to assess our products and technologies to improve our sensitivity to changes in the environment and society. Through our PSA screening efforts, we will actively seize on opportunities and respond appropriately to risks as we seek to realize a more sustainable portfolio.
- PSA System
- Initiatives and Results
PSA Process
The Kuraray Group PSA system is as follows.
1 Scope of assessment
All businesses of the Kuraray Group are subject to assessment. We will gradually expand the scope of assessment, aiming to cover 80% of overall revenue of Kuraray products. We will also consider to use our PSA system at the stage-gate phase of product development.
2 Definition of PARCs
Product-Application-Region Combinations (PARCs) indicate the unit used in PSA system.
3 Assessment categories
Total nine categories are assessed in the following three areas.
〇 Basic Matters (Basic Requirements):
Chemical Hazard and safety management; Compliance with Kuraray’s Code of Conduct; Economic Contribution to company success; Reputational risks
〇 Social and Regulatory Trends (Stakeholder Requirements):
Regional regulatory trends; Sustainability ambitions in the value chain; Certification systems in the areas of sustainability and the environment (eco Label and certifications, etc).
〇 Comparison with Benchmark Products (Performance):
Selecting key categories for each PARC at every stage of the product life cycle (from manufacturing to disposal) from the perspective of sustainability; comparing the performance with benchmarks for each category
4 Scoring
Determining a score from 1 to 5
5 Use of results
Designate products with a score of 4 and 5 as products that contribute to Natural and Living Environment, and set targets for improvement.
Targets
In the Sustainability Medium-Term Plan, the Kuraray Group set a target of raising the sales proportion of products that improve the environment and enhance quality of life to 55% in fiscal 2024 and 60% in fiscal 2026.
The Kuraray Group has also positioned social and environmental value as an axis used to build a more sophisticated business portfolio. To use the screening results of the Kuraray PSA system as an indicator for this axis, we had to expand the ratio to total sales of products evaluated based on the PSA guidelines of the WBSCD. In 2021, we began screening using the Kuraray PSA system, and the PSA evaluation coverage rate for sales reached 81% by 2024.
In addition, based on the screening results, we have identified products with the PSA scores of 4 and 5 as the Kuraray Group products that contribute to the natural and living environments. Under “PASSION 2026,” we aim to increase the sales ratio of such products Group-wide from 46% in 2020 to 55% by 2024 and 60% by 2026. In 2024, the net revenue ratio of these products was 58%, surpassing the 2024 target set under “PASSION 2026” for the second consecutive year. For 2025, we aim to achieve 61%, which is the target set for 2026 ahead of schedule. Moreover, we will accelerate efforts to expand products contributing to the natural and living environments.
Contribution Products for Natural and Living Environment: Case studies
- Contribution Products for Natural Environment
- Contribution Products for Natural and Living Environment (Products that contribute to both)
- Contribution Products for Living Environment
