CSR
Basic policy
As “a good corporate citizen,” Ise Chemicals complies with all laws and regulations and promotes fair and honest business activities based on social norms, while remaining mindful of protecting the environment and conserving natural resources and aiming to be a company that earns the broad understanding of society.
Based on this basic management policy, we recognize that safety is our top priority as we strive to achieve an environmentally conscious society and coexist with local communities.
Contributing to local communities
What measures is the company taking to communicate with the local communities?
The employees of Ise Chemicals carry out activities that are closely tied to the local communities, such as by participating in and supporting cleanup and beautification activities in the areas and local communities near our factories, as well as sponsoring local events, such as sporting events and festivals.
In addition, we also offer tours of our factories to local residents and students from nearby schools.
Recycling business
What is the company doing to make effective use of natural resources?
In order to effectively use iodine, which is a precious natural resource, we collect iodine that has been used for catalysis, etc. from our customers and recycle it into iodine products.
Global support
What types of social contribution activities, etc. is the company conducting outside of Japan?
We are donating iodine in cooperation with the Japan Iodine Industries Association, Chiba Prefecture, etc. The iodine is provided free of charge for countries and regions where iodine deficiency is a public health problem. The provided iodine is processed locally into iodized salt and distributed to children and pregnant women who suffer from thyroid dysfunction.
Sustainable use of natural resources
What are some of the measures the company has implemented regarding sustainable use of natural resources?
According to an agreement with the relevant local government, the extraction of natural gas and brine is performed under appropriate production control and monitored through constant measurements by GNSS and periodic level measurements.
In addition, after the iodine is extracted, some of the brine is pumped back underground as a measure to control ground movement.
Factory safety measures
What is the company doing for health and safety management in the factories?
We have established a health and safety committee at each factory. Risks are identified and evaluated before a problem occurs, and factory safety measures are implemented through the concerted efforts of the employees and management.In addition, the employees and management periodically patrol the factories in order to identity improvements that can be made to equipment, facilities, etc. to ensure that safety remains the top priority.
We also give guided factory tours to local residents to explain our environmental and safety initiatives while also listening to the residents so that we can incorporate their opinions and requests into the safe operation of the facilities.
By using our publicity vehicle (emergency vehicle) when a disaster occurs, we also have a system that can accurately convey information to local residents.
Measures for preventing leaks from pipelines
Leaks from the pipelines for brine and natural gas are a concern.
In addition to watching the equipment using a surveillance monitor, our employees patrol the relevant facilities daily to check them for any problems.
We also use gas detectors to periodically check for pipe leaks, and strive for early detection and early repairs of minor gas leaks.
We assess the risks according to the buried time of underground pipes, materials, records of past leaks, etc., and replace pipes in a systematic manner.
Measures for disasters
Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
As risks surrounding businesses increase, such as large-scale earthquakes, heavy rainfalls, and infectious disease outbreaks, we prioritize “ensuring human life and safety” as the most important task in fulfilling our social responsibility. By preparing during normal times, we aim to minimize damage in the event of an emergency and to enable rapid recovery afterward. We have developed a BCP. This plan involves identifying risks and evaluating their impact, uncovering issues, implementing measures, and reviewing improvements for each disaster incident. Through these efforts, we aim to prevent the expansion of damage, contribute to the community, and ensure the continuity of critical business operations.
Basic principles for natural disasters
- We prioritize in ensuring the lives and safety of all individuals involved in business activities, including employees and their families, customers, business partners, and members of the local community.
- We prevent further damage caused by natural disasters and strive to prevent secondary disasters from the perspective of ensuring the safety of surrounding areas.
- We strive for coexistence with the local community during normal times, and in the event of damage caused by a disaster, coordinate with the local community to engage in contribution activities.
- We fulfill social responsibilities and minimize the impact on corporate value by continuing and promptly recovering critical business operations.
Safety measures for disasters
If the on-site seismometer readings meet or exceed the specified thresholds during an earthquake, the designated person may activate the emergency stop to safely halt all factory operations.
Because we have factories near the Kujukuri Coast in Chiba Prefecture and the Hyuga-nada Sea in Miyazaki Prefecture, we remain dedicated to holding regular disaster-preparedness drills for earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. in a planned manner. In particular, we continue to make steady progress in our disaster-related measures that emphasize the initial response when a disaster occurs and place the highest priority on human life and safety.
Also, the roof of the main office at the Ichinomiya Plant has been designated as a Designated Temporary Tsunami Evacuation Site for Ichinomiya Town where local residents can take refuge in case of a tsunami, flooding or other disasters.
Environmental Management
Obtained EcoAction 21 Certification
EcoAction 21 is an environmental management system formulated by the Ministry of the Environment. This management system, which is unique to Japan, establishes methods for organizations, businesses, and other entities to proactively and actively engage in environmentally conscious initiatives.
Environmental Management Report FY2024 (103rd Fiscal Period)
Carbon Net-Zero
Based on our “Environmental Management Policy,” we continuously improve our practices to reduce environmental impact and enhance corporate value. We have set a 2030 milestone as part of our roadmap towards achieving carbon net zero by 2050, striving to realize a sustainable society.
Environmentally conscious supply chains
In recent years, the challenges that need to be addressed to realize a sustainable society have become diverse and complex, encompassing issues such as global warming, environmental protection, respect for human rights, and improvement of labor conditions. Due to strengthened environmental regulations and other factors, the scope of risks and initiatives that companies must understand and consider has expanded beyond their own operations to encompass the entire supply chain.
We are advancing efforts throughout the entire supply chain to realize a sustainable society. With this aim in mind, we have established the “CSR Procurement Guidelines” in accordance with the “Management philosophy and basic management policy of Ise Chemicals Corporation” and are committed to promoting sustainability initiatives across the entire supply chain.