Sustainability / Social Report Contribution to Local Communities and Society

Participation in DSSE <TALENTS FOR COMPANIES>

For the fourth time, Daicel Safety Systems Europe Sp. z o. o. (DSSE) had the honor of mentoring a team participating in the prestigious technical competition "TALENTS FOR COMPANIES." On October 10, 2024, the local 4th edition of this exceptional event took place at the headquarters of the Sudecka Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Świdnica. DSSE’s team included students and teachers from the in Świdnica, and DSSE’s employees. The DSSE’s team performed exceptionally well, earning first place at the local level, which secured their advancement to the second stage of the competition in the Czech Republic.
On November 15, 2024, the DSSE’s team traveled to Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic to participate in the second, international stage of the TALENTS FOR COMPANIES competition. The task was to construct a miniature model of a wind power plant. The DSSE’s team successfully completed their assignment and advanced to the grand international final. On June 17, 2025, the DSSE’s team participated in the grand international final in Prague.
Although they didn’t make it to the podium, our DSSE team stood out by scoring the highest number of points in the first stage of the competition. As a result, DSSE team received special congratulations from the Dakar team (the construction of an mini off-road vehicle was the subject of a competition), along with an exclusive invitation to visit the factory where off-road rally vehicles are manufactured.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to DSSE’s team for their dedication, creativity, and expect their future success.

Two Consecutive Years of High School Student Visits to Fuji Plant and TSC from Taiwan

In May 2024, a total of 38 teachers and students from a high school in Taiwan visited the Fuji Plant and the Technical Solution Center (TSC) of Polyplastics Co., Ltd. The visit focused on the F-BASE (office building) and control room of the Fuji Plant, as well as the showroom, molding room, and laboratory of the TSC. Participants commented, “We were surprised to learn that engineering plastics are used in so many products around us.” We will continue to provide opportunities for the next generation to gain real knowledge and understanding of the chemical industry through such activities.

Support for Independent Research Activities of Junior and High School Students

We established the “Science Castle Research Fund 2024 Value Co-Creation Award” to provide funding for research themes proposed by junior and senior high school students and to foster value co-creation with the next generation of researchers through opinion exchange with researchers in Daicel. In FY2025/3, we received numerous applications from across Japan and selected four outstanding proposals based on their originality and feasibility. Our employees served as research coaches, providing support for six months to facilitate the students' research activities. At the results presentation event held on February 14, 2025, each team presented their six-month research process and findings, engaging in lively discussions with our officers and employees. Students who completed their presentations commented, “Through this program, we received invaluable advice from our research coach on how to formulate hypotheses, verify them, and structure our presentations.” Furthermore, on January 12, 2025, we collaborated with Kobe University’s “ROOT Program,” a next-generation talent development initiative with which we had a comprehensive partnership agreement, to provide program participants with the opportunity to learn about the research and development environment in a corporate setting and how it connects to products and businesses. The participants, who were full of curiosity and a strong awareness of social issues, asked many questions while handling actual products, leading to a lively exchange of ideas. We will continue to actively support the bold challenges of future researchers who will drive innovation.

*The Science Castle Research Fund is operated by Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.

Held “Daicel Blind Football^® Japan Cup 2024 in Osaka”

We hosted the “Daicel Blind Football^® Japan Cup 2024 in Osaka” for four days from July 4 to July 7, 2024.
Blind football is a 5-a-side football game played with eye masks and a ball that makes a sound when it rolls. As the title sponsor, we supported this tournament, competed with Japan, Morocco, Mexico, and Malaysia fiercely.
The event was held at Umekita Plaza in front of Osaka Station, attracting many passersby, including those on their way home from work and shoppers, who packed the grand staircase every day to watch the game.
Our employee, Hiroto Takahashi, also participated as a member of the Japanese national team in this tournament. A trophy made with 3D printing using our CAFBLO^® was presented to Masaki Goto, a member of the Japanese national team selected as a MIP player. More than 90 members of our Group participated as volunteers, contributing to the event’s success by helping both inside and outside the venue with tasks such as setting up the venue, operating the competition, and cleaning up afterward.
In addition, we held “Daicel Family Day” on July 6 and soccer classes by Gamba Osaka on July 7, providing a good opportunity for our employees and their families to interact.

1. *1Former professional soccer player for the Japan national team
2. *2Player for the Japan Women’s Blind Football  national team

Handmade Products and Bread Sales by Vocational Support Facility for People with Disabilities

From November 20 to 22, 2024, as part of our “Sustainable Week” activities, we sold handmade bread from vocational support facilities for people with disabilities at four locations: Tokyo Head Office, Osaka Head Office, Harima Plant, and Kanzaki Plant. At the Tokyo Head Office, we collaborated with Shinjuku Welfare Workshop to sell handmade bread to our employees. The Shinjuku Welfare Workshop provides employment support for people who have difficulty finding employment in general companies and provides opportunities to have fulfilling lives in the community. This activity provided a valuable learning experience for our employees to consider how various people are working in society and how society and companies can collaborate to offer support to people with disabilities.

Communication with Local Residents at the Fuji Plant in Japan

Polyplastics Co., Ltd.’s Fuji Plant has been regularly inviting local residents for 50 years, since 1974, to exchange opinions on environmental, health, and safety matters.
In June 2024, the plant held an opinion exchange meeting attended by 13 local residents. It explained the Fuji Plant’s environmental initiatives and engaged in lively discussions, as well as holding a tour of the plant focusing on environmental facilities. Participants shared positive feedback, such as, “Hearing about the initiatives eased my concerns.”
Polyplastics will continue to communicate with local residents to deepen mutual understanding and build a relationship of trust.

“Mottainai Challenge” by Volunteer Teams at Domestic Group Sites

In conjunction with our Sustainable Week 2024 initiatives held from late November, volunteer teams at domestic Group sites conducted the “Mottainai Challenge 2024”.
This involved collecting unwanted or unused items from employees’ homes at each location and donating them to NPO Mottainai Japan, which then distributes them to disaster victims, people in need, single mothers, and facilities supporting people with disabilities both in Japan and internationally. Our Group has been undertaking this initiative collectively during Sustainable Week since FY2023/3.
With the cooperation of the Administration department, Daicel Worker’s Union, and SDGs ambassadors at each location, awareness within the company has increased, and participation in this activity is growing year after year. In FY2025/3, we expanded the range of accepted items, collecting over 7,600 items across the Group, including clothing, daily necessities, food, books, stationery, and accessories.
Moving forward, our Group will continue this activity to contribute to both waste reduction and the resolution of social issues.