People

Christmas Fantasy Local Park and River Cleanup Activities “Kotori-no-Mori” Certification Ceremony “Kotori-no-Mori”

In 2024, the Kuraray Cup Children’s Association Ball Game Tournament (softball and foot baseball) was held, filling the Kurashiki Plant ground with the cheers of children. The summer festival was also held in the same format as before the COVID-19 pandemic, providing an opportunity for employees and local residents to mingle. During the Christmas Fantasy event, we decorated two Himalayan cedars with 50,000 LED lights at the plant entrance. In addition to local residents, visitors from outside the prefecture also came to enjoy the spectacle, with approximately 5,000 people attending. We also continued to carry out volunteer activities, such as cleaning local parks, rivers, and Certified Children’s Kindergartens, as well as mowing lawns. In the Chemistry Classes for Boys and Girls program, the Fun Chemistry House, a course of chemistry classes that allowed schoolchildren at an elementary school near the plant to enjoy chemistry experiments. As a fundraising activity, we continued our donation matching program, the Kuraray Fureai Fund, through which we donate playground equipment to local elementary schools and children's gardens.
　Furthermore, the “Kotori-no-Mori (little birds’ forest)” established within the Kurashiki Plant has received the highest rank (AAA) in the JHEP* certification, which evaluates initiatives contributing to the biodiversity conservation and restoration, conducted by Ecosystem Conservation Society-Japan (ECSJ). Kurashiki Plant is located in the Mizushima Coastal Industrial Zone, which was reclaimed during the Edo period, the " Kotori-no-Mori" has been maintained as green space since its establishment (believed to be between 1964 and 1966) despite renovations and reconstructions of production facilities within the plant. There are walking paths and information panels for the birds that fly to the site. As part of green space management, maintenance activities such as underbrush cutting on the east side of the site and pruning of trees overhanging the walkways are carried out and will continue in the future. This initiative has been highly evaluated for securing an environment that can function as a habitat for living organisms and a stopover for migratory birds in an industrial area with limited green space. We will continue to maintain the surrounding natural environment to become a part of the ecosystem network, aiming to create a green space that contributes to biodiversity conservation.

*JHEP (Japan Habitat Evaluation and Certification Program): The only certification system in Japan that can objectively and quantitatively evaluate, certify, and visualize contributions to biodiversity conservation, conducted by the Japan Ecosystem Conservation Society. Projects that achieve a "future 50-year natural value" exceeding the "evaluation criteria" through their implementation are certified as contributing to biodiversity enhancement or as having no impact on biodiversity. Certified projects are ranked in six levels (excluding future projection types : AAA, AA+, AA, A+, A, and B+)

Kuraray Cup Citizens Soccer Tournament Stork’s Nesting Tower

The Kashima Plant held the Chemistry Classes for Boys and Girls program, the Fun Chemistry Class for elementary schoolchildren, returning to the lesson format used before the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed our employees to engage closely with the children, introducing them to the fun of chemistry. The Kashima Plant Friendship Volleyball Tournament was also held, reaching the milestone of the 51^st tournament. About 120 local residents took part in what proved to be an exciting event. Through the Kuraray Fureai Fund, we continue donating books to local elementary schools. In recognition of our achievements through the program over the years, we received an award for good deeds from Kamisu City, where the Kashima Plant is located.
　We also revived the Fureai Recreation event in 2024, which had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This event allows our employees to enjoy interacting with the users and staff of local facilities for people with disabilities.
　Among our new initiatives in 2024, we became the main sponsor of the Kuraray Cup Citizens Soccer Tournament for local elementary school students. Approximately 300 students participated, and the total number of attendees, including their parents, was around 900. Moreover, starting in 2025, we plan to hold the Elementary School Student Painting and Calligraphy Contest.
　As part of its efforts to conserve biodiversity, the Kashima Plant supports Kamisu City’s stork protection activities through donations. The stork is an endangered species and a special natural treasure of Japan. It has been confirmed that storks fly into Kamisu City, which has been conducting protection activities such as installing nesting towers to ensure safe nesting and hatching. The fourth artificial nesting tower was constructed, and a ceremony was held in January to unveil the tower and present a letter of appreciation for the donation. In addition to the construction costs of the towers, the donation was also used for the Gonoike Ryokuchi Park Sakura Mori (Cherry Blossom Protection) Project, which is dedicated to the maintenance of cherry trees. We will continue to promote initiatives that contribute to the local community, including the preservation of biodiversity.

Presentation Ceremony Fun Chemistry Class Beach cleanup activities

With a slogan of protecting the richness of the sea and land and creating a city where we can continue living, the Tsurumi Plant newly began a biodiversity conservation initiative from 2023. In 2024, as a Chemical Class & Biodiversity Learning Event for employees and their families, we requested a cleanup of a nearby beach and a special lecture by associate professor Yamamoto of Okayama University of Science. As for community welfare activities, we held three blood donation campaigns at our business sites, in which a total of 84 people participated. In 2024, the Japanese Red Cross Society awarded us the Silver Medal of Merit as an organization that has been conducting blood donation activities for more than 15 years. As part of the Fureai Funding, we donated one-touch tents to a total of 11 certified childcare centers and small-scale childcare facilities in Bizen City. The prefectural road cleanups were held twice a year, in spring and fall, with around 80 employees participating each time as neighborhood cleanup activities.
　In 2025, we will continue to engage in biodiversity conservation activities aligned with the SDGs goals. Our activities including learning events on the necessity of biodiversity preservation, the restoration of eelgrass, which is said to be the cradle of the sea, and the actual state of marine debris near the plant. We are also holding an open chemistry class in collaboration with the local tourism association, which has been held annually since 2019, to encourage children to become interested in chemistry by conducting experiments with their own hands and to let the local residents know about our businesses.

Umeda Yukata Festival

The Osaka Office makes use of its location in the largest office district in western Japan, helping to foster exchange and engagement among people working in the area. Among the events it sponsors are the Umeda Yukata Festival, which aims to bring workers together, and Umeda Meets Heart, an event for rediscovering all that is good about Umeda. It also takes part in events hosted by the company that owns the office building where it is based. The Osaka Plant also serves as a member of the council of the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, Osaka, helping to showcase outstanding technology in traditional crafts. Through the Kuraray Fureai Fund, we are working to contribute widely to the local community through donations to worthy causes in the Kansai region such as social welfare organizations.

Traffic Safety Patrol

Kuraray Noritake Dental’s Miyoshi Plant has participated in traffic safety patrols to prevent traffic accidents as part of its contribution to the local community. The Miyoshi Plant is located in Aichi Prefecture, one of the areas with the highest number of traffic accident fatalities in Japan, and traffic on nearby highways is heavy both day and night, making traffic safety increasingly important. For this reason, once a month, companies with offices in Miyoshi City take turns standing at major intersections to watch over the safety of pedestrians and vehicles on their way to work or school. Miyoshi Plant employees also participate in this program to raise traffic safety awareness. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with local communities and contribute to the creation of a safe and secure city.

Overseas Affiliates

Kuraray Europe

Participating in Malteser Social Day

Kuraray Europe supports projects and initiatives that address social, cultural, biological conservation, and other issues. Employees who actively contribute to society take part in various donation and social activities. Their participation is key to the activities of the Kuraray Group.
　In social activities, as in previous year, many employees worked on the renovation of schools and childcare facilities during the Malta Social Day, which is a volunteer event organized by an NGO in cooperation with educational institutions. Troisdorf employees built Wendy houses, small houses for children to play inside, wooden horses, and Montessori teaching aids, educational toys that foster self-education skills, for local childcare facilities.
　In employees’ donation activities, they contributed a total of EUR 20,000 to 22 organizations and institutions through Christmas Donations, where they recommend the organizations they would like to support.
　Kuraray Europe in Spain donated food worth EUR 555 and also EUR 500 to the Red Cross to support the Valencia region, which was affected by severe flooding caused by a major storm at the end of October 2024.

Kuraray America

Kuraray America is taking concrete actions to uphold its social responsibilities through initiatives focused on revitalizing local communities, advancing education, and fostering sustainability in the environment. To strengthen the adaptability of local communities to social challenges, Kuraray America collaborates with the food banks in Texas, North Carolina, Delaware, and other states, providing and supporting local food banks with groceries and meals. In addition, Kuraray America has participated in the Japan Festival Houston for over 10 years. This event promotes community strengthening, respect for diversity, cultural understanding and enhancing the bond between Japan and the U.S.
　In terms of environmental efforts, Kuraray America emphasizes promoting biodiversity and sustainable activities. Since 2012, we have partnered with organizations such as the Galveston Bay Foundation in Texas, participating in the annual Trash Bash aimed at protecting natural resources and raising environmental awareness. Many of these initiatives are carried out through the Kuraray Foundation of America (KFA), established in 2020. KFA collaborates with Kuraray employees, engaging in volunteer activities, donations, and sponsorships to strengthen local communities.

Support for Food Bank Japan Festival Trash Bash

MonoSol

MonoSol is engaged in various initiatives related to community and environment efforts. In volunteer activities, they prepared and distributed pantry packs filled with nutritious food to support the elderly and children.
　We also actively participated in an environmental project, supporting the Shirley Heinze Land Trust, which is dedicated to protecting the natural environment. Additionally, we contributed to the community and the environment by supporting animal welfare associations, participating in holiday donation drives, and cleaning highways.

Support for Animal Welfare Associations Cleanup Activity

Calgon Carbon

Office Event 2024 United Way - Breast Cancer Awareness

Calgon Carbon values its engagement with local communities and undertakes various initiatives. In 2024, we hosted an event at our Pennsylvania office, inviting approximately 50 children of employees. The attendees ranged from kindergarten to high school age, along with their parents. The Japanese Society of Pennsylvania (JASP) organized a variety of activities related to Japanese culture for the children. The children also enjoyed hands-on science experiments using activated carbon, a product of Calgon Carbon, and participated in an escape room challenge. In September, Calgon Carbon sponsored and participated in the Fall for Your Library event held at Celebrations in Imperial, Pennsylvania, in support of the Western Allegheny Community Library.
　As part of breast cancer awareness activities in October, several Calgon Carbon employees wore pink to support breast cancer survivors and fighters. In addition, we donated to Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel, a local support group dedicated to empowering breast cancer survivors of all ages in the Pittsburgh area. To further spread awareness and support, breast cancer-themed cookies were mailed to all Calgon Carbon Corporation sites.

Kuraray South America

Since 2017, Kuraray South America has partnered with the Brazilian NGO Casa do Zezinho. The organization opens its doors to low-income children and young people, aiming to provide education and food, helping them overcome social and economic barriers and develop independent thinking skills to pursue their goals in life. In addition to donating to this organization, we also promote the sharing of Japanese culture by holding Japanese cooking and origami workshops.
　In the Japanese Cooking Workshop, participants learn about the history and significance of bento in Japanese food and culture, and they get to experience cooking and preparing their own bento boxes. In the Origami Workshop, participants learn about the origins of origami and techniques used in NASA satellites, and they create various items such as frogs and flowers.

Japanese cooking workshop Origami workshop

Kuraray Colombia

Kuraray Colombia works with and donates to the United Way, an NGO foundation, supporting the development of educational programs, primarily in unstable areas. One initiative is the Laboratorio Vivo (Live Laboratory), the first in the Caribbean dedicated to innovation in learning methods, encouraging the creation and experimentation of new educational ideas.

Live Laboratory

Kuraray India

Green Bazar

Starting in 2023, Kuraray India began donating to the United Nations Women’s Association Kindergarten to promote women’s social advancement and provide a place of learning for economically disadvantaged children. These donations are used for children’s stationery, books, and other school supplies for children from impoverished backgrounds. As part of the kindergarten’s activities, the Green Bazaar event was held in 2024, showcasing crafts made by the children.
　Additionally, Kuraray India continues to donate to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara, an organization that provides free kidney dialysis to patients in need. Starting in 2024, Kuraray India also began donating to Akshaya Patra, an NGO named after the "inexhaustible vessel" from Hindu mythology. This organization delivers free meals to public schools attended by children from impoverished backgrounds.

Kuraray Korea

As a local welfare support initiative, Kuraray Korea donates to Mool-Pu-Rae, a single mother facility established in 2006 in Ulsan, where our plant is located. Donations are also collected from supportive Kuraray Korea employees, and a donation ceremony is held. As a token of appreciation for the donations, Mool-Pu-Rae invites us to their Christmas event.

Donate to Mool-Pu-Rae

Plantic Technologies

Plantic Technologies is in the industrial area of Altona, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Every month, employees clean not only their own site but also the surrounding areas and roads. To ensure the activities are safe and efficient, the company provides employees with protective gloves and tools, and collects the gathered trash.

Cleanup activity

As well as the above-mentioned initiatives, the Kuraray Group will continue to carry out social contribution activities in the regions where it has our sites around the world.