Sustainability
Basic approach and policy
Our Group considers pollution and waste initiatives as important business issues and has established an Environmental Safety Policy focused on the following themes: odor countermeasures and environmental pollutant emissions reduction, resource and water conservation, and promotion of effective use of waste products. We have set targets for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, landfill waste, the effective utilization rate of waste products, etc., and are working to reduce pollution and waste and promote the effective use of waste products.
Governance and risk management
For more details, please refer to “Environmental Management”.
Strategies
Risk reduction
- Effective use of waste products and installation of sufficient deodorizing equipment
Selection of waste service companies
For waste treatment companies handling waste for which we bear responsibility as the generator, we inspect treatment sites to ensure proper waste treatment; verify the details of their licenses and permits, treatment methods, and treatment capacity; and select companies while considering the effective utilization of waste products. We also conduct regular inspections even after the outsourcing contract is signed, and we confirmed that there were no issues in FY2025.
Management of waste products
With regard to in-house waste product management, we conduct an environmental safety audit once a
year, as well as environmental management system (EMS) audits at ISO 14001 certified sites, to
verify the status of management operations. If any issues are identified, corrective actions are
promptly taken.
During the FY2025 environmental safety audit and EMS audit, it was confirmed that management was
properly conducted.
Effective use of waste products
Our Group manufactures a diverse range of flavor and fragrance products, which generate various
waste. We work to effectively use such waste and proactively promote resource recycling of waste
cans, paper, waste glass, oil, and so on. We also work to limit the generation of landfill
waste.
Regarding our effective utilization rate of waste products, the target is to maintain an
effective utilization rate of 95% or higher by FY2030, using FY2022 as the base year. The
effective utilization rate of waste products for FY2025 was 96.4%.
The target for landfill waste is to maintain zero landfill waste through FY2030, using FY2022 as
the base year, which we achieved in FY2025 as well.
We outsource the treatment of cans with a low risk of odor transfer to a company that
manufactures recycled cans and the treatment of certain waste liquids to another company with
recycling technology.
As seen in the enforcement of the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics (Plastic
Resource Circulation Act) in Japan in 2022 and the intergovernmental negotiations to formulate a
legally binding international document (treaty) concerning plastic pollution, we recognize the
reduction and waste treatment of plastics as issues that require a more serious response.
Due to the characteristics of the flavor and fragrance products primarily manufactured and sold
by our Group, plastic containers require high barrier properties. Even after filling, residual
odors remain in the containers after use. Currently, the odor removal process results in
increased GHG emissions and presents other challenges. Although it is difficult to reduce
plastic containers, we separate plastics used within the Company that can be recycled and then
make an effort to use them effectively.
At Koumi Compost Co., Ltd. in Koumi-machi, Minamisaku-gun, Nagano (45% investment by the
Company), the large amount of residue generated after extracting natural products (botanical
residue) from our Company goes through fermentation composting for use by highland vegetable
farmers, as part of its efforts to effectively use waste products. In addition, from the
viewpoint of stable procurement of domestic raw materials for flavors and fragrances and the
realization of a circular economy, the Company is conducting experimental cultivation of
lemongrass using this compost in Koumi-machi.
Odor measures
As a company that manufactures flavors and fragrances, we pay extra attention to odor measures (Offensive Odor Control Act). We work to prevent the emission of odors by adopting deodorizing equipment using various deodorizing technologies. As a member of the local community, we also strive to build and strengthen relationships of trust with local governments and residents. At our R&D Center and Fukaya Production Center, we regularly conduct environmental (odor) patrols of the premises and surrounding areas.
Dust collection measures
At our facilities, dust collectors are installed in some manufacturing divisions as part of our efforts to improve the work environment during manufacturing.
Chemical substance management
Compliance with laws and regulations on chemical substances
The components of flavors and fragrances that we handle are chemical substances, so we ensure compliance with the relevant laws and regulations as outlined below.
- Application for the registration of new compounds based on domestic laws
- Issuing Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
- Managing information and responding to international chemical regulatory trends and domestic legal revisions
- Response of overseas subsidiaries
Product risk assessment (risk assessment of chemical substances)
At the Production Division, we conduct risk assessments of chemical substances based on the SDSs
of raw materials and intermediate products, consider risk reduction measures, and reflect the
results in work procedures. Factory employees regularly receive education on the danger, harm,
and appropriate handling of chemical substances and chemical regulations in and outside
Japan.
The R&D Center conducts risk assessments of all chemical substances used in the factories
according to the Industrial Safety and Health Act, prepares a measure sheet according to the
risk level, and puts it on the intracompany website.
At our overseas subsidiaries, we also implement management measures according to the actual
situation there while ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.
Management of substances subject to PRTR
At the Production Division, we specify substances subject to the Pollutant Release and Transfer
Register (PRTR) and other substances to be voluntarily controlled, and manage their
emissions.
For more details, please refer to “Quality Safety”.
Indicators and targets
We have set targets for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, landfill waste, and effective
utilization rate of waste products, which are causes of air pollution, and is working to reduce
pollution and waste and promote the effective use of waste products. In FY2025, we maintained a
high level of achievement, with zero landfill waste and an effective utilization rate of
96.4%.
For more details, please refer to the
T.HASEGAWA Group ESG Data Book (PDF).