Sustainability
Kyowa’s Commitment to a Sustainable Future
Kyowa Hakko is a creating shared value (CSV) company dedicated to addressing social issues linked to the environment. We endeavor to leverage our advanced biochemical technologies to contribute to the achievement of better health and well-being, as well as to the conservation of the environment and the realization of a sustainable society.
Under the stewardship of our parent company, Kirin Holdings, we have embarked on several environmental initiatives with the goal of attaining net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, curtailing water consumption and contamination, and preserving biological resources.
Kyowa’s Commitment to Overcome Climate Change
Kyowa is dedicated to combating climate change by continuously reducing GHG emissions in alignment with the Kirin Group’s Environmental Vision 2050.
In order to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, Kyowa has been implementing energy-saving measures, such as installing high-efficiency boilers at our U.S. manufacturing facility in 2020, resulting in an approximate 8% reduction in annual natural gas consumption.
Kyowa is also committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy across all operations by 2040. The company has begun introducing Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) at its overseas sites and is leasing unused land to large-scale solar power generation companies, actively contributing the spread of clean energy.
Kyowa’s Commitment to Reduce Water Use and Contamination
At Kyowa, we use water to produce amino acids and other organic compounds through fermentation and are committed to the sustainable use of water resources.
Kyowa actively mitigates water consumption through various conservation initiatives, such as installing water-saving equipment and implementing a cooling system for recycling and reusing water. As a result of these endeavors, we have successfully reduced water usage by 51.7% since 2015.
Dedicated to keeping natural waterways clean, Kyowa has established voluntary wastewater standards that surpass the requirements mandated by regional regulations. Additionally, we repurpose excess sludge for composting and other beneficial applications at our overseas facilities.
Kyowa’s Commitment to Sustainable Use of Biological Resources
In alignment with our commitment to a carbon-free society, the Kirin Group is dedicated to fostering a circular economy and preserving ecosystems. At Kyowa, we are actively striving to sustainably manage raw materials vulnerable to deforestation, setting a goal to achieve 100% utilization of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified or recycled paper for packaging materials by 2030. Meanwhile, four out of the company’s five sites have already reached this milestone.
Kyowa’s CSV Progress Report
Kyowa is dedicated to environmental transparency and continuously conducts risk assessments to gauge the impact of our business activities on both people and the planet.
Our 2023 CSV Progress Report comprehensively outlines the company's vision, environmental and operational policies, management strategies, target objectives and progress to-date in our sustainability endeavors.
In order to deliver unwavering trust and peace of mind to our customers around the world, we are aware of our responsibility for safety, hygiene and the environment throughout the product lifecycle. We will continue to take on the challenge of improving the quality and impact of our entire value chain.
Kyowa Hakko Bio Receives EcoVadis Silver Sustainability Rating
The Kyowa Hakko Bio Group has been awarded a Silver Sustainability Rating by EcoVadis, a trusted global provider of sustainability ratings.
EcoVadis provides a service to companies in over 200 industries in more than 175 countries to assess their sustainability efforts. The Sustainability Rating covers seven management indicators, across 21 sustainability criteria, in four core themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. The 'Silver Medal' indicates that the company is in the top 25% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis.
The Kyowa Hakko Bio Group will continue to promote sustainability initiatives and strive to become a leading global CSV (Creating Shared Value) company that creates both social and corporate value.