Prevention of Pollution

ITOCHU's Environmental Policy states in item (3) that within its business activities, ITOCHU shall prevent and reduce environmental pollution caused by chemical substances and oils, reduce emissions of air pollutants, and reduce and properly process hazardous waste and wastewater. In addition, as stipulated in item (1) of our Environmental Policy, ITOCHU will fulfil its responsibility by enacting the following statement: We shall comply with international declarations, agreements, and treaties, as well as with the laws and regulations of the countries and regions in which we operate. We shall also comply with any other agreements that we have consented to.

Resource Circulation

"Ensure Stable Procurement and Supply" was one of the important ESG issues identified as a material sustainability topic that ITOCHU identified in its April 2018 assessment. As per item (4) of our Environmental Policy, ITOCHU "contributes to the formation of a circular society by promoting the sustainable use of resources (such as fossil fuels, minerals, food, animals and plants), resource conservation measures, and waste reduction and recycling across our business investments and the supply chain of our products and services," pointing to our commitment to promote resource efficiency in accordance with our various business operations.

Ensuring Legal Compliance by the Chemicals Division

The chemicals handled in the Chemicals Division are those that have potentially serious impacts on human health and the natural environment and have become subject to various laws and regulations that aim to ensure appropriate handling across the supply chain – including during manufacturing, sales, transportation, and storage. Furthermore, the appropriate management of chemicals is crucial from a business perspective for our Chemicals Division as well, as violations and cases of non-compliance can impact the regulatory approvals we require on certain products.
There is an international trend to minimize risks at every level of the entire supply chain of chemicals. Against this background, both advanced nations and developing nations have started to introduce new regulations and to make large-scale revisions to existing regulations. Consequently, the regulatory environment in the handling of chemicals is expected to become ever stricter in the future.
With awareness of the above, we recognize the importance of compliance with laws and ordinances in addition to knowledge of products and the industry as a company that handles chemicals. Our basic policy is that each individual should engage in business in accordance with the requirements of laws and ordinances upon correctly understanding the laws and regulations concerning the products that they are in charge of handling.

Qualitative Targets

Quantitative Targets

• Including domestic and overseas branches and Group companies subject to compliance reporting

Due Diligence Regarding Pollution Prevention and Resource Circulation in Business Investment Projects

We assess in advance the impact on the market, society and the environment by business investment projects in Japan and overseas engaged in by ITOCHU and our Japanese subsidiaries. We do this with the ESG Checklist for Investment, which includes assessment criteria to evaluate performance on pollution prevention and resource circulation among potential investments. We make requests to external specialist organizations to conduct investigations in advance for projects requiring a professional point of view. The project is then only undertaken upon confirming that there are no problems in the results of those investigations.

ITOCHU considers ensuring stable procurement and supply to be a material issue. We work to effectively utilize and to ensure stable procurement and supply of resources according to demand in each country with consideration for the environment (e.g., biodiversity). In doing this, we are aiming for a recycling-oriented society.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations in the Divisions Handling Chemical Substances

At ITOCHU, the Chemicals Division has cross-functional oversight of our management of chemical substances. This includes oversight of the sales departments that handle chemical substances, which sit within the Chemicals Division, as well as relevant subsidiaries that handle chemical substances. In addition, the Chemicals Division has oversight of any sales divisions and subsidiaries outside of their direct control if chemical substances are used.
We strive to comply with laws and regulations through a management method based on a combination of thorough inquiries to specialized external consulting organizations and the use of a centralized management system to track environmental legal compliance. The management system was developed internally in 2016 and allows us to confirm and record applicable laws and measures at the chemical substance level for each product. We also provide training and educational opportunities to relevant sales staffs, supplemented by e-learning materials and handbooks that summarize the main points of relevant laws.
The external consulting organization that we currently employ for chemical substance management is Techno Hill Co., Ltd. (Headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Kazuyuki Suzuki). Techno Hill has comprehensive knowledge regarding the field of chemical substances and provides us with informed advice on management systems, applicable laws and regulations for each product, and general trends movements in the industry.

Management Structure for Emergency Response and Accident Response

ITOCHU responds as below in accordance with our accident and emergency response regulations.
If an accident occurs during the handling or storage of toxic or hazardous substances, we respond as follows in line with the Pharmaceutical Key Toxic and Hazardous Substance Risk Prevention Procedures Manual.

• We will make reports as necessary according to the emergency contact network in the above manual. In addition, we will take prompt action to limit the risks caused by toxic and hazardous substances.
• In the event of splashing, leaking, outflow, seepage or penetration underground, we will immediately notify the health care center, police station or fire department to that effect when there is a fear of a risk to the health of an unspecified or large number of people. At the same time, we will take measures to prevent risks to health.

RENU ® Project Aims to Realize Circular Economy

In the spring of 2019, we launched a project called "the RENU ^® project", which aims to address the issue of excessive waste in the fashion industry and realize circular economy. As its first product, we are developing recycled polyester made from textiles such as waste leftover fabric and used clothing. We will contribute to realize circular economy by developing this project through the entire supply chain of the fashion industry from raw materials to consumers.

• RENU ^® project website

ITOCHU Announces Development of Garbage Bag Made From Marine Debris

ITOCHU Corporation and Sanipak Company Of Japan, Ltd., our subsidiary and Japan's largest garbage bag maker developed the world's first^*1 garbage bag including raw materials made from marine debris.^*2 ITOCHU believes that marine debris is a significant social challenge and has been engaging in material recycling businesses recycling marine debris and turning it into products that are commercialized. In cooperation with Tsushima city, we have succeeded in the recycling. In addition, Sanipak Japan, leveraging the knowledge and technology it possesses as Japan's largest garbage bag maker, has developed the world's first*1 garbage bag made in part with raw materials made from marine debris.
ITOCHU and Sanipak Japan plan to provide some of these new garbage bags free of charge to Tsushima city and other areas that need garbage cleaning activities on their coastlines, and will establish a recycling economy-oriented business model to resolve the problem of marine debris that society faces.

1. According to research by ITOCHU
2. Debris that has already flowed into the marine environment

Introduction of Shopping Baskets Made Using Marine Plastic Waste as the Raw Material in FamilyMart Stores in Tsushima in Nagasaki Prefecture and Elsewhere

ITOCHU has developed shopping baskets made using marine plastic waste washed ashore in Tsushima in Nagasaki Prefecture as part of the raw materials together with FamilyMart Co., Ltd. and TerraCycle Japan GK. We have introduced these shopping baskets into a total of four FamilyMart stores in Tsushima and Iki in Nagasaki Prefecture in February 2021 to promote community-based SDGs activities.

Waste Reduction Initiatives

Under our environmental management system, ITOCHU adheres to all applicable laws and regulations (Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act, Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging, Food Recycling Law, etc.) and strives to reduce waste generated through its business activities, as well as maintain a high recycling rate by committing to thorough waste sorting. In recent years, in order to further promote waste reduction initiatives within the company, a small number of employees have been given the opportunity to experience sorting.

Food Recycling

ITOCHU makes regular reports on the amount of food we discard and the amount we recycle in Japan to comply with the Food Recycling Law. We are striving to suppress the generation of waste and to promote recycling (e.g. conversion into feed) in line with the reference rate (recycling rate target).

• In FYE 2018, 1,001.0 tons were discarded due to a warehouse fire.
• FYE 2022 recycling rate target: 80.0％

Number One Trader in the World for the Cement Substitute of Blast Furnace Slag

Blast furnace slag is a by-product of the steelmaking process. Mixing and using it with cement as a cement substitute makes it possible to save natural resources (e.g., limestone – the raw material of cement). It is an environmentally friendly product that can reduce the CO₂ generated during manufacturing by about 40%* compared with when making concrete only with cement.
It is highly durable against seawater and the steel material in it is less likely to suffer corrosion over a long period of time. Therefore, it is widely used in large civil engineering projects at ports.
We have been selling blast furnace slag produced in Japan and overseas in around 10 countries since about 20 years ago. We handle of volume of blast furnace slag that makes us the number one trader in the world for it. In the future, value for blast furnace slag will be expected to rise affected by trend of decarbonization around the world. Therefore, we moreover focus to build continuous and stable distribution channels and consider investing and participating in the slag business.

* Calculated at a 55:45 ratio for cement and blast furnace slag

Compliance with the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law

ITOCHU understands our own manufacturing and import volume of containers and packaging every year to recycle containers and packaging. We then pay a recycling fee to the Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association. The aim of this is to contribute to promoting the formation of a recycling-orientated society as a specified business operator prescribed by the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law.

The recycling fee we pay every year is as below.

Initiative Participation (Activities Through Business and Industry Groups)

We are participating in the Global Environment Subcommittee of the Committee on Environment and Safety – an environment and energy related committee of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren). We are working to realize an environmental policy compatible with the economy (e.g., through promotion of voluntary action plans, and measures for global warming, waste and recycling and environmental risks including water management). We are also participating in the Global Environment Committee of the Japan Foreign Trade Council. We are striving to build a low-carbon society, construct a recycling-orientated society, and to support environmental related laws and regulations. The goals set by the Global Environment Committee are as follows.

Promotion of Resource Recycling in Collaboration with Other Companies

ITOCHU is working to save resources and promote recycling by reducing fossil fuel consumption in collaboration with companies with advanced technologies in Japan and overseas regarding plastics and chemical fiber materials. ITOCHU is working to save resources and promote recycling by reducing fossil fuel consumption in collaboration with companies with advanced technologies in Japan and overseas regarding plastics and chemical fiber materials.

Pollution Prevention

Emissions of NOx, SOx, and VOC (Air Pollutants)

Resource Circulation

Waste Volume and Waste Recycling Rate

The table below gives the waste volume generated in the Tokyo Headquarters, Osaka headquarters, branches and business facilities in Japan group companies in Japan, overseas offices and overseas group companies from FYE 2017 to FYE 2021. ITOCHU promotes the separation of garbage. Our Tokyo Headquarters has set a single year target of reducing its waste volume by 6% compared with FYE 2019 levels. We are working to reduce our waste volume through initiatives such as 2-in-1 and double-sided printing. The Tokyo Headquarters won the Minato Ward Waste Reducing Business Operator Commendation in FYE 2015.

Hazardous Waste

Waste Disposal Cost

Paper Consumption

The table below gives our paper consumption for FYE 2017 to FYE 2021 (This is for the total of all ITOCHU bases in Japan). ITOCHU has set a target of reducing its paper consumption by 3% compared with FYE 2019 levels. We are working on reducing our paper consumption by going paperless and ending the use of unnecessary paper.

E-learning Concerning Compliance with Chemicals-related Laws and Regulations

Handbook on Chemical-related Regulations

The first edition was issued in 2012, and a revised edition was released in 2016 and is currently being distributed. There are 32 laws and regulations covered in this handbook, each of which outlines important aspects of compliance requirements. The purpose of this handbook is to educate our employees, especially new recruits and sales personnel, on the laws and regulations specific to the chemical industry.

Scope of Aggregation

1. The other business facilities cover business facilities owned or leased by ITOCHU (except facilities for residences).
2. The group companies in Japan and overseas cover consolidated subsidiaries directly invested in by ITOCHU (as of March 31, 2017) for FYE 2017. All consolidated subsidiaries are covered since FYE 2018 (coverage 100%).

Independent Assurance

Independent Assurance Report (2.3MB): The data below marked with a ★ is independently assured through KPMG AZSA Sustainability Co., Ltd. This assurance conforms to the International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3000 and 3410 of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).
★: Total electricity consumption and total CO₂ emissions attributable to the domestic bases of ITOCHU corporation (business facilities of the Tokyo Headquarters, the Osaka Headquarters, branches in Japan, domestic branches and other business facilities), and the waste volume, waste non-recycled, waste recycled, recycling rate, water consumption, gray water production volume and wastewater volume for the Tokyo Headquarters.