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Updated on March 25, 2026 Sustainability Medium-term Plan for Product

Contribution Products for Natural and Living Environment

　The Kuraray Group believes that its unique products and cleaner technologies will help bring about a sustainable society, and we are working to expand the range of products that make positive contributions. Under the Medium-Term Management Plan “PASSION 2026”, products and technologies that contribute to the Kuraray’s Materiality are incorporated into the business plans of each business division and Group company, as well as the Research and Development Division.
　The Kuraray Group decided to install the Kuraray Portfolio Sustainability Assessments (PSA) system to enhance objectivity and transparency when we set our targets of the products which contribute to both Natural and Living Environment. The Kuraray Group PSA system has been established in accordance with the PSA guidelines developed by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
　The Kuraray Group has also positioned social and environmental value as one of the key axes for advancing the sophistication of our business portfolio. To use the screening results of the Kuraray PSA system as an indicator for this axis, we need to increase the ratio to total sales of products evaluated under the PSA guidelines of the WBCSD.
　In addition, based on the screening results, products with PSA scores of 4 and 5 have been identified as the Kuraray Group products that contribute to the natural environment and living environment. We have set targets to increase the sales ratio of these products from 46% in 2020 to 55% by 2024 and 60% by 2026.

PSA: Initiatives and Results

＜Kuraray Group PSA system＞

Kuraray Group PSA system

Circular Economy

　The Kuraray Group is working to address the issue of transitioning to a circular economy as a company that develops products made from fossil-based raw materials. During “PASSION 2026” period, we will aim to challenge on the themes indicated in the figure below and reduce in the use of fossil-based raw materials and the amount of waste generated over the life cycle of the products by co-working with the supply chain.
　In 2024, we set a GHG Scope 3 emissions reduction target and discussed initiatives to reduce the use of fossil-based raw materials by converting existing raw materials to recycled or bio-based raw materials and reusing products and raw materials, etc. We will continue to promote each of these reduction initiatives in 2025.

Sustainable Procurement

　Following the growing social demand for adequate supply chain management, the Kuraray Group revised its CSR Procurement Policy (Revised Version: Sustainable Procurement Policy) and requested the cooperation of some business partners in Japan to comply with the policy in 2019. Under “PASSION 2026”, we extended the scope of this activity to business partners, including overseas partners, representing 80% of the Group’s total spend (90% of the spend for raw materials, secondary materials and other products).

　Our actions are guided by several steps as part of our sustainable procurement program. In 2020, our initiatives started with disseminating our Sustainable Procurement Policy to major domestic business partners, and to conduct our CSR Procurement Questionnaires (Revised Version: Sustainable Procurement Questionnaire). After the supplier self-evaluation, we analyzed and evaluated the results of the questionnaires, provided feedback, and supported improvement if necessary. In 2022, we extended these initiatives to include suppliers independently procured by each business division and affiliated company, covering over 80% of the Group’s total spend. In 2023, we expanded these initiatives globally to include business partners of overseas Group companies. In 2024, we continued the supplier evaluation, and based on the results, we will consider to improve the status of compliance by providing feedback and engaging in dialogue with our business partners. In addition, we have integrated Japan and global initiatives, which were previously conduct separately, to prepare for the implementation of a global Sustainable Procurement Questionnaire. We aim to cover 80% of the group’s total spent (90% of the spend for raw materials and secondary materials) as outlined in “PASSION 2026” goals. By doing so, we aim to strengthen the supply chain across the entire group.

  • Request for compliance with the Kuraray Group Sustainable Procurement Policy
  • Survey of compliance with Sustainable Procurement Policy through questionnaires
  • Discussion through the feedback of questionnaire results
  • Request for improvement plans of the items not fully complied
  • Support to implement the improvement plans as needed
  • Confirm the improvement status through audits
Sustainable Procurement: Initiatives and Results