OSAKA SODA Group set its Basic Policy on Sustainability as “we aim to combine contributing to the realization of a sustainable society through our business activities with enhancing our corporate value” based on the Group Mission Statement of contributing to the realization of a safe and affluent society through our creative technologies and innovative products.”

Initiatives to ensure sustainability

Governance

At the Group, the Sustainability Committee, which is directly under the Board of Directors, formulates strategies and policies, ascertains the state of initiatives in each department and material issues related KPIs, and manages related progress as well as regularly submits reports and proposals to the Board of Directors.

Strategy

As for providing social value through business and strengthening business foundations, two of the Group’s material issues, Osaka Soda formulated concrete measures related to such issues as undertaking stable production, improving product quality, and reinforcing technology development capabilities, and promotes related initiatives. In light of the Basic Policy on Sustainability, we not only contribute to the realization of a secure, affluent society by manufacturing and supplying a lineup of products that support industrial infrastructure but also continue to enhance corporate value by building a firm business foundation and expanding business. 

As one initiative to address climate change issues, which is included in strengthening CSR activities, Osaka Soda not only identifies risks related to transitioning to a carbon-free society (transition risk) and risks related to the physical impact of global warming (physical risk), using a 1.5°C–2°C scenario and 4°C scenario, but also formulates response measures. Osaka Soda will respond to these risks and opportunities by developing materials that reduce environmental impact and conserve energy through improved energy efficiency, extended service life, and elimination of solvents.

Risks with a major impact
  • Increased carbon price and other regulatory compliance costs
  • Increased offset credit price

Opportunities with a major impact
  • Increased subsidies for the development and implementation of environmentally friendly technologies

Turning to developing human resources, Osaka Soda aims to contribute to the growth of society and the Group by incorporating the values of diverse people and creating a work environment in which each and every employee feels job satisfaction. In order to achieve this, Osaka Soda revised its employee evaluations and education and training system and is focusing on creating an internal environment in line with the human resource development policy to ensure diversity.

  • Human resource development policy to ensure diversity
    Operate a system of career training and early career rotations so that employees can work for many years with peace of mind

 

  • Revisions to the personnel system and education and training system
    Build a system that makes it possible for all employees to make the most of their abilities based on the Group Mission Statement

 

  • Developing the company’s internal environment
    Foster a workplace culture that is more understanding of diverse workstyles and strive to develop a workplace environment in which the appropriate person is assigned to the appropriate position in line with the business strategy, diverse human resources respect each other, and all employees play an active role

Risk Management

Production-related risks are handled by the RC Committee, Quality Assurance Committee, and Engineering and Technology Division, and information management–related risks are handled by the Information Management Committee. Each related division and body identifies and evaluates risks, and reports them to the Board of Directors after deliberating on response measures, and the Board of Directors actively deliberates the issue. As for climate change–related risks, serious risks are identified by evaluating when they might materialize and the seriousness of the impact on business based on scenario analysis. For identified serious risks, the Sustainability Committee deliberates on the issue, proposes a response policy, strategy, and measures, and reports on this to the Board of Directors.

Metrics and Targets

Regarding providing social value through business and strengthening business foundations, Osaka Soda sets targets related to such issues as improving intensity and curbing nonconforming products in order to enhance corporate value by creating a firm business foundation and expanding business. As for strengthening CSR activities and developing human resources, we have set target figures for such issues as reduction of GHG emissions and ratio of female managers.