Sumitomo Chemical has its origins in the Sumitomo Fertilizer Manufactory, which was founded to resolve the air pollution problem caused by Sumitomo’s copper smelting operation at the Besshi Copper Mine (now Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan). The air was cleaned by removing the sulfur from the copper ore and the company used sulfur to manufacture fertilizer.

Since its founding, Sumitomo Chemical has manifested the spirit of “Jiri-Rita Koushi-Ichinyo”, which means that Sumitomo’s business must not only advance its own interests but also contribute to the nation and society. That spirit has guided how we aim to support more plentiful lifestyles for people through our business activities.

Sumitomo Chemical’s long-term vision is to become an Innovative Solution Provider. To achieve this, the Company is currently working to provide innovative solutions and contribute to solving issues in the four areas of food, ICT, healthcare, and the environment, through its four business sectors that are linked to each of these areas.

Regarding the issue of climate change, Sumitomo Chemical has been quick to proactively address this issue from both the perspective of responding to risks and seizing opportunities. In December 2021, the Company released its grand design toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Therein, Sumitomo Chemical established the goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as its obligations by leveraging the technological capabilities it has cultivated as a comprehensive chemical company up until now. At the same time, it is accelerating its contributions to achieving quick societal implementation of products and technologies that contribute to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions through collaborations with various stakeholders.

In addition, in February 2025, with the aim of creating a society where humans live in harmony with nature, Sumitomo Chemical revised its Biodiversity Guideline. In accordance with the Guideline, the Company will work to advance its efforts to achieve a nature-positive world, both globally and locally, in an integrated manner how the efforts interrelate with the issues of carbon neutrality and a circular economy, and from the perspectives of both obligation and contribution.

Sumitomo Chemical will work to establish and maintain safe and stable operations, ensure compliance, steadily advance DE&I, and respect human rights throughout its value chain. These efforts are in keeping with the Sumitomo Spirit, which emphasizes living up to the trust that society has in us, and will be steadily implemented across the Sumitomo Chemical Group.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support.

Nobuaki Mito
President