Sustainability / Social Report Contribution to Local Communities and Society
Basic Approach
The Daicel Group respects the customs and cultures of the local communities connected to the Group through its business activities, and it maintains and enhances its good relationships with those local communities by providing relevant information, carrying out appropriate dialogues, and contributing to local community developments.
These efforts are in keeping with the Ethical Standards of Daicel Group (3) Sustainability, environmental conservation, and social responsibility, (v) Contribution to local communities: Engaging with local communities is essential to being responsible corporate citizens. Daicel builds relationships with various local communities to understand their needs and priorities, to collaborate with community members and organizations, to help align our contributions with the communities’ specific needs, and to foster meaningful partnerships that drive positive change. Based on this code, we communicate with the local communities where we are located, as well as engage in a wide range of activities such as fostering the next generation and volunteering, in order to symbiotically contribute to the development of the community.
Supporting Future Generations
Taiwanese High School Students Visit Daicel Group Company’s Plant and Research Center
In May 2023, a total of 35 teachers and students from Kaohsiung Municipal Linyuan Senior High School in Taiwan visited the Fuji Plant and Technical Solution Center of Polyplastics Co., Ltd. The purpose of the visit was to provide career education by deepening knowledge and understanding of the chemical industry.
They were shown the plant control room and product showroom, told that Polyplastics aims to realize environmentally friendly, safe and stable production, and that engineering plastics support all the latest technologies in society. The students were attentive throughout and actively asked questions.
Daicel Family Day Held at the Osaka Head Office
In August 2023, Daicel held Daicel Family Day at its Osaka Head Office, which included a company tour, a chemistry experiment corner for children, and games for employees' families. Twenty-five families of employees participated in the event, and children enjoyed working as a Daicel employee, making colorful beads in chemical experiments, and winning game prizes. This was the first time that the event was held at the Osaka Head Office and served as an opportunity for employees' families to get to know about the company.
Local High School Students Were Invited to Innovation Park for Science Camp
In December 2023, we invited 16 first-year students from Hyogo Prefectural Tatsuno Senior High School to our Innovation Park and held a science camp.
The participants were divided into four groups and conducted research activities on different themes, such as the current state of microplastics, and social contributions using membrane separation technology. After the two-days training course, participating students commented that it was a meaningful experience.
Daicel Held a Workshop with Next-Generation Researchers
In January 2024, we invited five junior and senior high school students who are taking on the challenge of research and development to the Osaka Head Office, and held a workshop with our employees on research that keeps people in step with nature.
We participated as a project partner in the Science Castle 2023 Kansai Conference, an academic conference held for junior and senior high school students in December 2023, and at the workshop, we invited students who presented their research results at that conference, as well as students who submitted ideas for “technology for melting wood” that were solicited at the Daicel booth.
The participating students had a variety of research themes, from sociology to natural sciences and engineering, and on the day of the event, they thought about “the world in 2050” and “actions to keep people in step with nature,” which is also the mission of our Biomass Innovation Center, before giving presentations.
After that, we divided the participants into teams and held a workshop with our employees to discuss “research themes for realizing a world where people are in step with nature by 2050” and create research plans.
Some students commented that it was a valuable experience to freely exchange ideas and opinions regardless of age, affiliation, or title, and that they felt a sense of increased motivation and confidence in research.
Interaction with the Local Community
Communication with Local Residents at Fuji Plant in Japan
In June 2023, an environmental monitoring meeting was held at the Fuji Plant of Polyplastics Co., Ltd. Sixteen representatives from six neighboring districts participated in the meeting and the plant tour focused on environment-related equipment.
On the day, the Fuji Plant's environmental initiatives were explained, and a lively exchange of opinions took place.
Participants gave positive feedback, such as feeling relieved and having their concerns eliminated after hearing about the initiatives.
For 48 years since 1974, the Fuji Plant has regularly invited local residents to exchange opinions on the environment, health, and safety. Polyplastics will continue to communicate with local residents to deepen mutual understanding and build a relationship of trust.
Daicel Held Daicel Sports Park in Harima 2023
In November 2023, Daicel held a sports experience class at the Daicel Harima Koto Soccer Stadium, and about 350 local residents, including Daicel Group employees and their families, participated.
On the day, a soccer, baseball and blind soccer experience class was held, and the children who participated all enjoyed playing sports with former Gamba Osaka players Ryuji Bando and Akira Kaji, former Hanshin Tigers player Ryota Imanari, the YouTubers Taka-san and Shige-san (LISEM CHANNEL), Makoto Kamiya of the Japan Blind Football Association, and Kazuyuki Tsuji of the Japanese Partially-sighted Football team. In addition, we set up a health check booth and conducted a stamp rally to raise awareness of health.
We will continue to promote employee exchanges, benefits, and community contributions through such events.
Voluntary Activities
Daicel Held Run for Love! Health and Public Welfare Running Event
In June 2023, 13 Daicel Group companies in China held the “Run for Love! Health and Public Welfare Running Event” to strengthen the Group's solidarity through sports and to raise funds for children in Shengli Village (see below). More than 60 people participated in the event.
Shengli Village is located in a remote mountainous area in the northern part of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and is supported by the government because it is difficult to cultivate crops and has limited resources. There is only one teacher in the village school, and we donated school supplies and scholarships to help the children in the village get a better education. The Daicel Group will continue to support the children of Shengli Village in a variety of ways.
Daicel Conducts Charity Lunch Box Activity
In June 2023, the Guangzhou Branch of Polyplastics (Shanghai) Ltd. held a charity lunch box activity as part of its social contribution activities.
Participating employees prepared lunch boxes for 80 people and distributed them free of charge to homeless people and local residents in need of assistance. Employees who participated in the activity commented that they were very happy to see people enjoying the lunches, and that it was a good opportunity to carry out such activities through the company.
Local Community Exchange Through Food Aid Activity “Food Donation”
In November 2023, Daicel (Asia) Pte. Ltd. (“Daicel Asia”) conducted a food aid activity “Food Donation” in conjunction with Daicel Group Sustainable Week 2023. Following last year, this is the second time that this activity has been held to purchase food from a non-profit organization and donate to elderly residents of welfare facilities and their families. Employees who participated in this project not only donated food, but also played games and listened to stories, and through interacting with elderly residents in welfare facilities, raised awareness of food insecurity and food loss in addition to realizing the importance of listening to and understanding the problems faced by the elderly.
Daicel Asia will continue this activity next year and beyond.
