News
2021
July 2021
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Kao’s iconic British brand Molton Brown celebrates 50 years of delivering sustainable luxury
Kao celebrates 50 years of its most recognised British brand, Molton Brown. Founded in London in 1971, and acquired by Kao in 2005, Molton Brown has evolved into a global brand across cities, luxury hotels and airports in over 80 countries, spending the last 50 years delivering quality, innovative and luxurious products to cater to the needs of its international consumers.
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Molton Brown introduce new botanical hair care collection
Inspired by the brand's heritage of creating natural hair care in their original 1970s Mayfair salon, Molton Brown are following in the footsteps of their pioneering founders, whose forward-thinking, holistic approach to hair styling was delivered with a conscious care for the environment. As Molton Brown celebrate their 50th year, they are returning to their past and combining sustainable ingredients with innovative technology.
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Kao Salon Division announces new president - Dominic Pratt to succeed Cory Couts
Kao Salon Division announces that Dominic Pratt, formerly Vice President R&D, Skin Care Products Research, will succeed Cory Couts, Global President, Kao Salon Division in his role leading the Goldwell, KMS, Oribe and VARIS brands worldwide effective September 1, 2021.
June 2021
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Kao Releases Progress Report on its ESG Strategy – the Kirei Lifestyle Plan
Kao has released this year’s progress report on its ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy “Kirei Lifestyle Plan”. The report presents major updates, initiatives and achievements for the total of 19 Key Leadership Actions set out in the Kirei Lifestyle Plan to achieve a sustainable and desirable lifestyle.
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Kao Releases the Kao Integrated Report 2021
This year's report outlines Kao's commitment to "Sustainability as the only path" for solving the increasingly serious issues that are affecting society, which is the vision of the Kao Group Mid-term Plan 2025 (K25), launched in 2021, as well as providing an overview of K25.
May 2021
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Kao Salon Division is launching VARIS in EMEA
With the launch of VARIS, the Kao Salon Division is entering a new business segment in the EMEA region and now offering a collection of professional styling tools designed for stylists by stylists.
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Kao is aiming to reduce its CO2 Emissions to zero by 2040, and to be carbon negative by 2050
Kao has set new targets for realizing a decarbonized society and is aiming to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to zero by 2040, and become a carbon negative company by 2050.
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Kao releases consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021
Consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2021
April 2021
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Kao starts cooperation with sustainability start-up TRASH2TREASURE for the recycling of packaging materials
Kao and TRASH2TREASURE launch innovative pilot project to upcycle unused packaging materials. With Kao as the first external industry partner, TRASH2TREASURE produces keeper boxes from unused PET bottles for the Guhl solid shampoos.
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Kao is driving sustainability in the salon industry
Leading up to this year’s Earth Day, Kao Corporation is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability in the salon industry
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50 years of Molton Brown – the sustainability journey
In recognition of the brand’s 50th anniversary, Molton Brown have issued their ongoing commitments to the planet and the brand’s sustainability journey
March 2021
February 2021
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Kao included in the World’s Most Ethical Companies® List for a record 15th consecutive year
The Ethisphere Institute, a leading US think-tank, has named Kao Corporation one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. Kao is the only Asian company to have made the list every year since Ethisphere began its ranking in 2007.
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Kao recognized as Supplier Engagement Leader by CDP for fourth year in a row
Kao has been recognized, for the fourth consecutive year, as a Supplier Engagement Leader for its initiatives in reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change across its supply chain by international non-profit organization CDP.
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Kao releases consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020
Consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020
January 2021
2020
December 2020
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Kao announces new mid-term plan K25
Kao announces new mid-term plan K25
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Molton Brown launches new Signature Dispenser reducing waste and excess spending
As part of their ongoing sustainable journey, British luxury brand Molton Brown introduces their new Signature Dispenser for Bath, Body, Hand and Hair Care collections.
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Kao receives Triple A score by CDP
Kao has been selected for inclusion in the A List for climate change, forest, and water by CDP, a leading international NPO.
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Molton Brown presents current dispensing programme assortment – new design to be launched soon
In their efforts to reduce plastic consumption and the brand’s environmental footprint, British luxury fragrance experts Molton Brown present their refillable dispensing programme assortment and announce a new design to be revealed soon.
November 2020
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Kao named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for seventh consecutive year
Kao Corporation has been selected for inclusion in the 2020 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index (DJSI Asia Pacific), among the world's most renowned socially responsible investment (SRI) indices.
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Molton Brown launches new Hand Sanitiser Gels
Molton Brown is launching a collection of Hand Sanitiser Gels in three of its most iconic scents, allowing consumers to turn a necessary ritual into a true Molton Brown experience.
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Kao releases consolidated financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020
Consolidated financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
October 2020
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Kao Salon Virtual Experience celebrated with almost 20,000 hairdressers from around the world
For the first time in the history of Kao Salon, the Kao Salon Global Experience event took place digitally. Almost 20,000 stylists from around the globe took the chance to experience 48 hours with artistry and creativity online.
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Kao focuses on sustainable packaging and innovative products with its iconic haircare brand Guhl
With the introduction of solid shampoos for its iconic haircare brand Guhl, Kao is continuing its journey to implement the company’s sustainability goals.
September 2020
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Kao appoints Yoshihiro Hasebe as Representative Director, President and CEO
Today, Kao Corporation announces that its Board of Directors resolved the appointment of Director, Chair, and changes of President and Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director as of January 1, 2021.
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Kao Austria puts new photovoltaic system into operation
Kao Austria has finished constructions on a photovoltaic system on its office rooftop in Linz. A total of 180 solar modules has been installed, collecting twice as much energy as is annually required by the team.
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Kao supports industry-wide project piloting a reusable transportation box in Germany
With the aim of reducing packaging in the supply chain between manufacturers and retail partners, Kao has joined the industry-wide project “Smart-Box” facilitated by GS1 Germany, a specialist organization for business standards across industries and countries.
July 2020
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Kao releases consolidated financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2020
Consolidated financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2020.
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International award-winning stylist, Angelo Seminara, signs on as global ambassador for Goldwell
Goldwell is pleased to introduce their new Global Ambassador, Angelo Seminara. As one of the most globally celebrated hairstylists, Seminara will create limited-edition collections and inspire innovation for Goldwell’s products and services.
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Molton Brown NEW Partnership with Loop
To build on our sustainable journey, we’re excited to announce our new partnership with Loop – a ground-breaking global shopping platform that reduces waste and single-use plastic
June 2020
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Kao honored for supporting work and family balance
For the second time in a row, Kao Germany has been honored for its strategically designed family and life phase conscious company policy.
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The Refill Revolution: Kao’s efforts and innovations on plastic reduction featured in film series by Cosmetics Europe and BBC StoryWorks
Kao has partnered with Cosmetics Europe for the BBC StoryWorks film series “Essentials For Daily Life”, which takes a look at how the cosmetics sector is enhancing people’s lives, supporting the planet and improving products.
May 2020
April 2020
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Kao releases consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2020
Consolidated financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
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Kao releases progress actions on its ESG Strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan
Kao Corporation releases progress actions on its ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, which was first announced in April 2019.
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Kao Salon Division announces Isana Kontsevaya to lead EMEA region
Kao Salon Division has announced the appointment of Isana Kontsevaya to the role of Vice President, Salon Commercial, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and member of the Global Executive Salon Leadership Team.
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Kao Salon Division announces Kao Salon Industry Recovery Initiative
Kao Salon Division, home of the Goldwell, KMS and Oribe brands, introduces the Kao Salon Industry Recovery Initiative, solely focused on helping salons recover and rebuild as they emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.
March 2020
February 2020
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Kao recognized as global leader for engaging its supply chain on climate change
Kao has been identified as a global leader for engaging with its suppliers on climate change, being awarded a position on the Supplier Engagement Leaderboard by global environmental impact non-profit CDP.
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Kao makes 2019 CDP A List Water and Climate Change
Kao is proud to have made the 2019 CDP “A List” for corporate leadership in water security and climate change, recognizing Kao for sustainable management of water resources and environmental transparency and performance.
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Kao included in "World's Most Ethical Companies" List for 14th year in a row
Kao has once again been selected for inclusion in the "World's Most Ethical Companies" list by US think-tank Ethisphere. The 2020 list has been officially released today. Kao has been chosen every year since the Institute began compiling its list in 2007, making Kao a recipient of this recognition 14 years in a row, the only Japanese company with this honor.
January 2020
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Kao is selected for inclusion in the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index
Kao has once again been selected for inclusion in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI), which identifies companies that have demonstrated outstanding performance in the area of gender reporting and measures to advance gender equality, after having been included in the Index in 2019. In 2020, a total of 325 companies from 42 different countries and regions were chosen to be included in the GEI.
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Kao inlcuded in Corporate Knights 2020 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World List
Kao was named one of the Corporate Knights’ Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World (Global 100) for the second year in a row. Selected for the top 100 list from a pool of 7,395 companies chosen for evaluation in 2020, Kao was ranked the #4 out of 42 companies in the Corporate Knights Industry Group’s Personal Care and Cleaning Products category.
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Herbert Tripp appointed President Functions Operations, EMEA
Kao is proud to announce that effective January 1st, Herbert Tripp will take on the new role as President Functions Operations Kao EMEA, leading the corporate functions Accounting & Finance, Supply Chain Management, Legal, HCD and Communications.
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Martin Uellner appointed Vice President, Beauty Research, Europe Research Laboratories
Kao is proud to announce that effective January 1st, 2020, Martin Uellner, currently Director, R&D Molton Brown, Europe Research Laboratories, will be appointed Vice President, Beauty Research, Europe Research Laboratories, succeeding Dominic Pratt who will take over the role as Vice President, Research and Development Skin Care Products Research, Global Executive in the Kao Headquarters in Tokyo.
2019
November 2019
October 2019
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Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Consolidated Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
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Kao, Der Güne Punkt and Linhardt present innovative and sustainable tube packaging
On October 17, Kao, together with Der Grüne Punkt and packaging manufacturer Linhardt, presented an innovative and sustainable tube packaging at plastic and rubber trade fair “K2019”. The tube was developed for cosmetic products and made of recycled plastic waste - its body consists of 96% Systalen HDPE and is easy to recycle.
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Kao receives German Packaging Award
On September 24, Kao received the German Packaging Award 2019 in the category “Functionality & Convenience” for its Goldwell Dualsenses Serum bottle. It was the only beauty care package awarded in this category and the only hair care product to win in this year’s competition.
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John Frieda UK receives „Popai Award” for point of sale initiative
On October 8, John Frieda UK, together with its agency Linney, received the "Point of Purchase Advertising International" Gold Award in the category "Insights". They were awarded for their detailed shopper insight research, which was conducted to refresh its suite of POS trays to simplify the selection process for consumers navigating the category and compete for ‘share of eye’ with other leading haircare and beauty products.
September 2019
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Kao Salon Division announces new Director, Sustainability & Portfolio
Kao Salon Division, home to the Goldwell, KMS and Oribe brands, has announced Dr. Elmar Mussenbrock as Director, Sustainability & Portfolio.
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Kao named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for sixth consecutive year
For the sixth year in a row, Kao Corporation has been selected for inclusion in the 2019 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index (DJSI Asia Pacific), among the world’s most renowned socially responsible investment (SRI) indices.
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Kao Salon Division announces key appointment in Global Leadership Team
Kao Salon Division, home to the Goldwell, KMS and Oribe brands, has recently announced a key appointment to the Kao Salon Division Executive Salon Leadership Team.
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Molton Brown launches new luxury fragrance collection with refill system
On August 28, Molton Brown, London’s leading fragrance experts since 1971, have launched a new high-end Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette Collection, featuring 27 fragrances, created to “spearhead a pioneering new movement in British Perfumery; made by individuals for individuals”.
July 2019
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Kao's GHG reduction target approved by Science Based Targets initiative
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approved Kao Group's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target by 2030.
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Kao included in two global stock indices for ESG engagement
Kao Corporation has been included in global stock indices for its environmental, social and governance (ESG) engagement: the FTSE4Good Index Series for the 12th consecutive year and the FTSE Blossom Japan Index for the third consecutive year.
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Consolidated Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 [IFRS]
Kao Corporation today announced financial results for its first half of 2019 (Jan. 1, 2019 - Jun. 30, 2019)
May 2019
April 2019
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Kao employees celebrate the 30th anniversary of Goldwell’s acquisition with ceremony
30 years ago, the Kao Group laid the foundation for its global expansion and entering the salon business with the acquisition of Darmstadt based Goldwell GmbH. Today, the Kao Salon Division, with its other brands KMS and Oribe, has risen to a strong number 4 in the salon industry worldwide.
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Kao presents sustainable packaging innovation at Sustainable Brands Summit in Paris
From April 23rd to 25th, Sustainable Brands, a global community of brand leaders who are tapping environmental and social challenges to drive innovation, business and brand value, conducted their renowned Sustainable Brands Summit for the first time in Paris.
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Kao launches new ESG Strategy “Kirei Lifestyle Plan” to support consumer lifestyle changes
On April 22, 2019, Kao Corporation announced a new global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, to support consumer lifestyle changes.
March 2019
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Kao recognized by Global Company for its forest-friendly supply chain
In their latest Forest 500 assessment Global Canopy has ranked the most influential 350 corporate powerbrokers globally in forest-risk commodity supply chains.
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Girls' and Boys' Day at the European Research Laboratories in Darmstadt
The R&D team in the EURL in Darmstadt again hosted the Girls & Boys Day, an initiative by the German State to give school children a chance to get some first insights into jobs they might not normally consider for their future career.
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Kao to introduce new sustainable packaging for hair care brand Guhl
For the relaunch of its hair care brand Guhl Kao has chosen a new sustainable packaging concept: Guhl's shampoo bottles consist of 50% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), while the conditioner bottles are made of 100% polypropylene (PP) are completely recyclable.
February 2019
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Kao Makes World’s Most Ethical Companies List for Thirteen Straight Years
Once again, the Ethisphere Institute has named Kao Corporation to its annual list of the world’s most ethical companies.
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Reopening of Kao Salon Academy Vienna
End February the newly refurbished Kao Salon Academy Vienna welcomed guests and customers to celebrate its reopening.
January 2019
2018
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
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Promoting female careers at Kao – Kao Germany contributes to book publication of the Women Careers Index
Kao Germany has been cooperating with the Women's Careers Index since 2014 to analyze and improve the promotion of women´s careers in the company.
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Molton Brown opens first ever store in Denmark
In the light of Molton Brown´s European expansion strategy, the brand opened its first store in Denmark.
September 2018
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Kao named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for fifth consecutive year
Kao Corporation has been selected for inclusion in the 2018 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index (DJSI Asia Pacific) for five years in a row, among the world's most renowned socially responsible investment (SRI) indices.
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Kao Netherlands supports the Hair Wishes Foundation
For many years Kao Netherlands has been supporting the Hair Wishes Foundation, a Dutch charity organization supporting children who have lost their hair due to severe medical circumstances.
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Kao Salon Division announces new leadership roles
Kao Salon Division announced that Trevor Attenborough, General Manager (GM), Kao Salon North America and Mark Giannandrea, General Manager (GM), Kao Salon UK, will fill the newly created leadership roles of Vice President, Salon Commercial, Americas and Vice President, Salon Commercial, EMEA, respectively.
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Kao UK Salon Division supports Bloodwise
The UK Kao Salon Division teamed up with customers to support Bloodwise, a charity organization helping those suffering with Leukaemia and blood cancer.
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Selected among the global top 25 in the Thomson Reuters Diversity & Inclusion Index
Kao Corporation has been ranked 24th overall in the Thomson Reuters Diversity & Inclusion Index.
July 2018
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Goldwell at Berlin Fashion Week 2018
For the first time, Goldwell partnered with the young Austrian fashion designer Marina Haermanseder and styled the models for their Spring / Summer 2019 Fashion Show at this year's Berlin Fashion Week.
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Molton Brown restage their Core Collections
Molton Brown, London’s fragrance experts, have beautifully transformed their signature core collections.
May 2018
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Kao releases Kao Integrated Report 2018
Kao Corporation released the English version of the Kao Integrated Report 2018 sharing Kao's values as a corporation and presenting its capabilities for achieving medium- and long-term growth.
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New John Frieda campaign in the UK
In an age when life demands more from women than ever before, they in turn have higher demands from the products, services and brands they use.
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
March 2018
March 2018
