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Kao Begins Operation of 5.0MW Photovoltaic Power Generating Facility, the Largest in the Kao Group, at Indonesian Plant
- PT Kao Indonesia begins operation of a 5.004MW photovoltaic power generating facility for on-site power generation, the largest of its kind in the Kao Group, at its Karawang Plant.
- Kao set a goal to increase the share of renewable energy in electricity usage to 100% by 2030. In 2024, the percentage of renewable energy used was 69.4%.
- Aiming to realize a decarbonized society by setting targets of carbon zero by 2040 and carbon negative by 2050.
Tokyo, May 28, 2025—Kao Corporation, a leading manufacturer of personal care and household products, cosmetics and specialty chemicals, commenced operation in May 2025 of the largest photovoltaic power generating facility for on-site power generation in the Kao Group, a 5.004MW facility at PT Kao Indonesia’s Karawang Plant (Karawang International Industrial City, West Java). In order to achieve a decarbonized society, Kao has set targets of carbon zero by 2040 and carbon negative by 2050.
The recently opened photovoltaic power generating facility at PT Kao Indonesia’s Karawang Plant (right) and the photovoltaic power generating facility which began operations in 2024 (left)
PT Kao Indonesia primarily produces and sells consumer products like baby diapers and laundry detergent for the Indonesian market. The Karawang Plant’s building that has the baby diaper production facilities now houses the 5.004MW photovoltaic power generating facility, the largest in the Kao Group. Additionally, a 1.530MW photovoltaic power generating facility that provides on-site power generation has been in operation at the plant since May 2024. Combined, the two facilities are anticipated to cut CO2 emissions by 7,791 tons per year.
The photovoltaic power generating facility introduced this time, as well as the one that became operational in 2024 are both part of on-site corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)*1 and are considered additive*2 , which means they can also help increase the availability of renewable energy across society.
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* 1 With the PPA system, an electricity user purchases renewable energy directly from the power provider at a fixed price over an extended period. The electricity user is able to procure a stable supply of renewable energy, while the power provider benefits from the easier access to financing, which makes it possible to step up investment in new electricity generating facilities.
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* 2 Procuring electricity generated from renewable energy sources to encourage construction of and investment in renewable energy facilities, thereby increasing the renewable energy available.
Kao’s Decarbonization Efforts
To help achieve a decarbonized society and sustainable business, Kao aims to reach carbon zero by 2040 and become carbon negative by 2050. Working toward these goals, Kao is developing innovative technologies and working with stakeholders to reduce CO2 emissions throughout the value chain.
In 2023, Kao purchased 100% of its electricity in Japan from renewable energy sources and, as of 2024, 69.4% of the electricity used by Kao is sourced from renewable energy sources. Moving forward, Kao has established a target of sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.
Related Information
About the Kirei Lifestyle Plan
Over the past 130 years, Kao has worked to improve people’s lives and help them realize more sustainable lifestyles—a Kirei Lifestyle. The Japanese word “kirei” describes something that is clean, well-ordered, and beautiful all at once. For Kao, this concept of “kirei” not only describes appearance but also attitude—a desire to create beauty for oneself, for other people, and for the natural world around us. Aiming to realize a more sustainable way of living, in April 2019, the Kao Group established its ESG strategy known as the Kirei Lifestyle Plan. By 2030, Kao aims to empower at least 1 billion people, to enjoy more beautiful lives. Kao also strives to have 100% of its products leave a full lifecycle environmental footprint that science says our natural world can safely absorb.
Please visit the Kao sustainability website for more information.
About Kao
Kao, a Japan-based manufacturer of personal care and household products, cosmetics, and specialty chemicals creates high-value-added products and services that provide care and enrichment for the life of all people and the planet. Through its brands such as Attack laundry detergent, Bioré and Jergens skin care products, Laurier sanitary products, Curél, SENSAI, and MOLTON BROWN cosmetics, and Oribe hair care products, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people across Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Combined with its chemical business, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,630 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 32,600 people worldwide and has more than 130 years of history in innovation. As an enterprise that provides products people use on a daily basis, the Kao Group takes responsibility to actively reduce the environmental footprint of its products throughout the product lifecycle. This is laid out in Kao’s ESG strategy, the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, which launched in 2019.
Please visit the Kao Group website for additional information.
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