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Kao Moves Up Its Target Year for Seeing 100% of Electricity the Company Purchases in Japan and Globally Sourced from Renewable Energy
Kao Corporation is working actively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main cause of global warming, and has set itself the target of reducing its global greenhouse gas emissions, from all global Kao business sites, by 22% by the year 2030 (compared to 2017)*1. As part of the measures being taken to achieve this goal, Kao has been installing photovoltaic (solar power) electricity generating facilities for its own use, and is also shifting over to renewable energy for the electric power that the company purchases from suppliers.
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* 1 This target has been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative.
Solar power electricity generation introduced in 2020 for captive consumption at Pilipinas Kao in the Philippines (left) and the Kao plant in Shanghai, China, where 100% of purchased electricity comes from renewable energy sources (right)
In 2020, Kao began introducing solar power generation for captive consumption at its Sumida Complex in Japan, at Pilipinas Kao in the Philippines, and at Kao Austria. Today, these systems are in operation at 13Kao Group sites*2.
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* 2 Ten sites including the Tochigi Plant in Japan, Toyohashi Plant in Japan, Kao Sanitary Products Ehime in Japan, Atsugi Logistics Center in Japan, Sumida Kita Logistics Center in Japan, Wakayama Complex in Japan, Kao Industrial Thailand, Kao Corporation Shanghai, Kao Penang Group (Malaysia) and Kao USA Inc., with an additional three sites starting operation in 2020, including the Sumida Complex, Pilipinas Kao in the Philippines, and Kao Austria, for a total of 13 sites.
Kao set forth and has been working toward the target of having all of its electricity purchases come from renewable energy, first in Japan by 2025, then globally by 2030. To accelerate decarbonization, however, Kao has moved those target years forward to 2023 for Japan and 2025 across the globe.
As of the end of 2020, the ratio of electricity purchased from renewable energy sources reached 65% in Japan and 41% globally*3. Further, a total of 18 additional plants reached a renewable energy ratio of 100% in 2020, including four in China*4, four in Japan*5, all nine in EMEA*6 and one in the U.S.*7
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* 3 The corresponding figures for December 2019 were 50% in Japan and 31% globally.
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* 4 This figure includes two plants in Shanghai, one plant in Hefei and one plant in Huludao.
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* 5 The Ehime Plant, Kawasaki Plant, Toyohashi Plant and Fuji Plant.
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* 6 This figure includes one plant in the UK (Bishop's Stortford), six plants in Spain (Barberà del Vallès, Olesa de Montserrat, Mollet del Vallès, Rubí, Madrid and Valencia) and two plants in Germany (Darmstadt and Emmerich).
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* 7 The Cincinnati Plant.
In April 2019, Kao launched the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, its ESG (environmental, social and governance) strategy, which incorporates 19 key leadership actions. The introduction of solar power generation for captive consumption and the shift to purchasing electricity from renewable energy sources are activities that contribute to decarbonization, one of those key leadership actions. In the future, the Kao Group will continue to implement its unique ESG activities globally, so as to deliver satisfaction and enriched lives for people around the world, and contribute to the sustainability of society.
About Kao
Kao creates high-value-added products that enrich the lives of consumers around the world. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries, and Molton Brown, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America, and Europe. Combined with its chemical division, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,400 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 33,000 people worldwide and has 130 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Group website for updated information.
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