Tokyo, Jan 30, 2009 - (JCN Newswire) - Sumitomo Chemical Co, Ltd. (TSE: 4005) has issued its annual CSR Report, "Sustainable Chemistry". Since fiscal 1998, Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited has issued an annual "Environment, Health and Safety Report" focusing on the Company's Responsible Care (RC) activities, in particular those involving occupational health and safety, environmental protection, safety and disaster prevention, chemical safety, and product quality assurance.
This title was changed to "CSR Report" in fiscal 2004 to reflect broader coverage of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, which include social and economic activities.
In addition, the company compiles detailed numerical data in a separate booklet for easy reference.
Hiromasa Yonekura, President of Sumitomo Chemical, addresses the Company's progress from environmental protection to CSR in his forward: "Toward the Development of a Sustainable Society"
"The world currently faces many environmental problems such as global warming, as well as soaring prices for energy, resources and food, and also poverty. Finding solutions to these problems will require global initiatives. These problems were the top priorities in discussions this year at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), held in May in Yokohama, and the G8 Summit, held in Toyako, Hokkaido in July.
For the future both of the planet and humanity, this year could be called a pivotal year in which international society has reaffirmed the need to work together as one in efforts to solve these problems. Japan, which hosted these international conferences, has many outstanding technologies that can contribute to solving environmental problems, and therefore has a vital role to play going forward. International society has many great expectations that it looks to Japan to fulfill.
The chemical industry has contributed to the enhancement of people's lives and the development of industry through ceaseless technological innovation and creativity. Now, however, I believe it is becoming ever more essential to harness the power of chemistry to create novel technologies and spur innovation for developing groundbreaking high-tech materials and advanced manufacturing processes in order to help solve the many serious global problems we face.
Initiatives Toward Preventing Global Warming
The International Council of Chemistry Associations (ICCA), the key organization allying the chemical industry worldwide, is currently promoting more intensive dialogue about "Climate Change and Energy" as one of the issues for priority initiatives throughout the global chemical industry. Sumitomo Chemical has been participating in the ICCA, assuming a role of leadership in various areas such as setting policy for initiatives and pursuing greater energy effi ciency in the chemical industry through benchmarking. Also, the Company is conducting comprehensive studies specifically for initiatives such as quantitatively assessing to what extent the chemical industry can contribute to energy efficiency with products for the automotive, electronics and housing industries.
In addition, we at Sumitomo Chemical are working to develop and supply products that contribute to increased energy efficiency as well as improving our industrial processes to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses. At the same time, we are working hard to promote partnerships among organizations such as the Japan Chemical Industry Association and Japan Petrochemical Industry Association, other industries as well as universities in order to realize energy savings that extend well beyond the bounds of a single corporation. Needless to say, we actively encourage CO2 reductions both in the office and in the home.
Sumitomo Chemical has long conducted numerous voluntary Responsible Care (RC) activities aimed at preserving the environment and assuring safety, health and product quality throughout the lifecycles of its products. In recent years, worldwide awareness about the importance of proper chemical substance management is on the increase. Our Environmental Health Science Laboratory (EHSL) specializes in the assessment of industrial hazards and hazardous substances, utilizing its wealth of expertise and cutting-edge technologies accumulated over many years. The EHSL engages in advanced activities including risk assessments and management of chemical substances at all stages from development through to manufacture, sales, use and disposal. In addition, we are steadily working to meet the requirements of internationally adopted standards, such as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals and Europe's REACH legislation for the restriction of chemical substances in order to minimize adverse impacts on the environment and human health, which went into effect in June of this year.
For the Future of Africa
Solving the problem of poverty in Africa is one of the greatest challenges facing global society today. Part of this problem is the tremendous toll exacted by malaria on people and society, making malaria prevention one of the prerequisites for Africa's sustainable development.
Sumitomo Chemical developed the Olyset Net, which is effective in protecting people from infection by the mosquitoes that transmit malaria, and we are supplying these nets widely across Africa. We currently operate local production facilities in Tanzania, and are presently studying plans for the construction of a new production plant in Nigeria. Local production of the nets not only helps protect the people of Africa from malaria by making the nets more readily available but also creates local employment opportunities, and we hope thereby to contribute to the continent's economic vitalization and autonomous development.
Promoting Sustainable Chemistry
Sumitomo Chemical will continue to conduct its business activities on the basis of CSR management in order to achieve a balance among the three areas of Responsible Care activities, economic pursuits and social actions for the sustainable development of society, providing products and technologies that help support the lives of people worldwide in a socially and environmentally friendly manner through the pursuit of Sustainable Chemistry. I would very much appreciate your continued understanding and support."
-- Hiromasa Yonekura, President of Sumitomo Chemical. Excerpt from the Sumitomo Chemical 2008 CSR Report, "Sustainable Chemistry."
To download the 2008 CSR Report, please visit the Sumitomo Chemical website: http://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/csr/csr_report.html
About Sumitomo Chemical
Sumitomo Chemical Co. Limited (TSE:4005) is one of Japan's leading chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products in the fields of basic chemicals, petrochemicals, fine chemicals, IT-related chemicals, agricultural chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. While expanding business worldwide and aggressively pursuing cutting-edge R&D, we continually strive to contribute to the sustainable development of society through our Responsible Care activities. For more informaion, please visit www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp.
Contact:
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communications Dept.
Tel: +81-3-5543-5500
Fax: +81-3-5543-5901
Jan 30, 2009
Source: Sumitomo Chemical
Sumitomo Chemical (TSE: 4005) (U.S: SOMMF)
From the Japan Corporate News Network
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