Environmental Management
Basic Approach to Environmental Issues
Environmental issues such as climate change and nature loss are serious global challenges that threaten human health and well-being. Sumitomo Pharma uses energy, water resources, and various chemicals in the research, development, and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.
Recognizing our responsibility for the environmental impacts associated with our business operations, we are committed to reducing environmental impacts across all aspects of our business.
Item 6 of our “Declaration of Conduct” states that we will “Positively address global environmental issues.” To contribute to building a sustainable society as well as the sustained growth of Sumitomo Pharma Group, we have identified “Promotion of environmental initiatives” as one of our Material Issues.
With approval from the Board of Directors, we have established our “Basic Environmental Policy,” which outlines our vision and approach, and promote environmental initiatives across the company.
For more information, please see "Basic Environmental Policy."
We position environmental initiatives as a way to contribute to the sustainability of society and strengthen the management foundation that supports sustainable business operations. Through environmental initiatives, we strive to ensure a stable supply of products, strengthen resilience, and secure business continuity, thereby sustaining the Value Creation Cycle and enhancing corporate value over the medium to long term.
Environmental Management Structure
We have the Environmental and Safety Committee, which meets annually, to promote environmental initiatives across the company under the Basic Environmental Policy. Chaired by the Executive Officer in charge of Environmental and Safety, the committee consists of the environmental management supervisors of each site, the Head of Human Resources, and the Head of Corporate Governance. In addition, we hold the Environmental and Safety Managers' Conference, chaired by the Head of Corporate Governance, twice a year to discuss practical issues related to environmental initiatives. Each site has also established its own environmental and safety management system, including the regular holding of Site Environmental and Safety Committee meetings to promote site-level oversight and management.
Important environmental matters are reported to the President, who provides instructions on how to address them, and matters deemed necessary are submitted to the Management Committee. Furthermore, our environmental initiatives, as one aspect of our sustainability efforts, are reported to the Board of Directors at least once a year and advanced under its supervision.
Environmental Management Structure
Environmental Management System
The company and its sites have established environmental management systems with reference to ISO 14001, comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations, identify and assess significant environmental impacts and risks, and work to mitigate them. Based on the Basic Environmental Policy, the Environmental and Safety Committee establishes Medium- to Long-term Environmental Goals, Medium-term Environmental Plans, and Annual Implementation Plans, and regularly reviews progress toward their achievement. We also continuously monitor environmental performance and disclose both environmental performance data and progress against environmental goals on an annual basis.
For more information, please see "Environmental Goals and Performance" and "ESG Data Table."
We also conduct regular audits and compliance evaluations to verify compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and the effectiveness of our management systems. Based on the results of these evaluations, we implement corrective and preventive actions to promote continual improvement of our environmental management systems.
To support the achievement of environmental goals, the proper operation of environmental management systems, and greater environmental awareness, we provide education and awareness programs for employees every year.
For more information, please see "Environmental Communications."
Environmental information is shared with employees through the Environmental and Safety Committee, the Environmental and Safety Managers' Conference, and environmental management structures at each site, promoting environmental initiatives across the company. We also disclose information on our environmental initiatives and performance through our Integrated Report and sustainability website and maintain ongoing dialogue with stakeholders.
Suzuka Plant and Oita Plant have obtained ISO 14001 certification and operate their environmental management systems in accordance with the international standard.
ISO 14001 Certified Facilities
| Company | Facility |
|---|---|
| Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. | Suzuka Plant |
| Oita Plant |
ISO 14001 certification rate at production sites (based on fiscal 2025 energy consumption)
・Non-consolidated: 100%
・Consolidated Group: 93.7%
Environmental and Safety Audits
We conduct regular environmental and safety audits at all business sites to verify the effectiveness of our environmental management systems, compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, and environmental performance. At ISO 14001-certified sites, internal audits are conducted in addition to external audits performed by certification bodies.
Through these activities, we strengthen regulatory compliance and continually improve environmental management standards.
Environmental Accidents and Legal Violations
In fiscal 2025, there were no environmental accidents or significant violations of environmental laws and regulations. In addition, no significant environmental fines or penalties have been imposed on the company during the past five years.
Development of Environmental Conservation Systems
To minimize environmental impact throughout the entire product lifecycle (procurement, production, marketing, logistics, usage, disposal, and transportation), we have established policies and guidelines and actively promote green procurement, logistics, product development, and facilities design.
Green Procurement
In line with our Green Procurement Basic Policy, we operate the Sumitomo Pharma's Green Procurement Guidelines for office supplies and other items, prioritizing the selection of environmentally friendly products. In fiscal 2025, the green procurement ratio of office supplies was 52%. We will continue to promote the use of environmentally friendly products by encouraging green purchasing among employees and expanding the range of applicable items.
Green Logistics
Based on our Green Logistics Guidelines, we are working to reduce environmental impact during transportation and storage processes at our distribution centers and production sites. In fiscal 2025, we implemented a total of 44 initiatives, including promoting idling reduction through the provision of external power supplies for refrigerated trucks, reusing cardboard boxes and recycling packaging materials (Kobe and Tokyo Distribution Centers*), improving transportation efficiency through enhanced truck loading rates and optimized delivery planning (Suzuka Plant), and reducing CO₂ emissions through maritime transportation and consolidated shipments (Oita Plant).
- *Kobe and Tokyo Distribution Centers were closed in January 2026 following the outsourcing of logistics operations.
Green Product Development
We have established rules and procedures for green product development and promote environmentally conscious product design and manufacturing within the R&D Division and the Supply Chain Division. In fiscal 2025, we implemented a total of 33 initiatives, including reducing solvent consumption through the use of high-speed analytical methods, promoting efficient resource use through the reuse of chromatography columns and analytical components (R&D Division), reducing intermediate-product waste through manufacturing process improvements, decreasing ink consumption through the adoption of digital printing, reducing silica gel usage through packaging process improvements (Suzuka Plant), and reducing packaging material usage through the standardization of packaging specifications (Oita Plant).
Green Facilities Design
We apply our guidelines for green facilities design at the Supply Chain Division, Central Research Laboratories, Osaka Research Center, and Osaka Head Office to enhance energy efficiency and promote effective resource utilization in our facilities. In fiscal 2025, we implemented a total of 20 initiatives, including upgrades to tablet pneumatic conveying systems and replacement of blister-pack tablet inspection equipment (Suzuka Plant), conversion of water for injection (WFI) production to a membrane-based process (Oita Plant), replacement of air-conditioning systems and total heat exchange systems and maintenance of gas absorption chillers (Central Research Laboratories), conversion to LED lighting and replacement of absorption chillers (Osaka Research Center), and renewal of air-conditioning systems (Osaka Head Office).