Providing Support for Group Companies

In the interests of strengthening group management, we are providing active support for the RC initiatives of our Group companies.

Support for Environment and Safety Activities

RC discussions

The RC Division holds RC discussions every year to promote and improve RC initiatives for Group companies both inside and outside Japan.
In FY2024, discussions were held in-person with six Group companies in Japan and two Group companies outside Japan.
In these discussions, the companies in Japan reported on the planning and achievements of their RC initiatives. And the companies outside Japan reported on the planning and achievements of their RC initiatives, as well as the status of operation of their management systems. We provided them with advice and support.

Environmental and safety audits

The Environment and Safety Department at the Head Office conducts environmental and safety audits at our Group companies in Japan each year to check the environmental and safety management structure and system operation status.
In FY2024, audits were conducted at three Group companies in Japan, and we were able to confirm the status of compliance with legal requirements as well as the status of the establishment and operation of necessary standards for environmental and safety. We also confirmed that environmental and safety management systems are properly implemented.

Environmental and safety exchange meeting

Environmental and safety personnel from our Group companies in Japan gather to introduce their RC initiatives, share information, and exchange opinions to enhance the level of their initiatives.
In FY2024, the meeting was held at NIPPOH CHEMICALS CO., LTD., where discussions focused on each company’s efforts towards carbon neutrality, prevention of occupational injuries such as chemical burns, and measures to prevent heat stroke.

　　　Environmental and safety exchange meeting 2024 for Group companies in Japan at NIPPOH CHEMICALS CO., LTD.

Support for Quality Activities

Support for quality assurance initiatives

For Group companies in Japan, we continued to provide advice and support on their quality activities and quality challenges through the quality roundtable meetings and quality exchange meetings in FY2024.
For Group companies outside Japan, we hold periodical meetings with each site. In FY2024, we worked to enhance the quality-related database with the cooperation of quality members at each site. Additionally, with the aim of providing high-quality and globally consistent SAP, we hold a meeting among quality personnel from SAP manufacturing sites. In FY2024, the meeting was held at Nippon Shokubai Europe N.V. (NSE), with our company and North American site attending in person, and two Asian sites joining online.
We remain committed to providing even more intensive support to our group companies.

Quality audits

In light of the current situation where quality fraud has become serious social issues, we assessed the thoroughness of quality compliance and confirmed there were not any risks that could cause quality fraud in the FY2024 quality audits for the Group companies in Japan. We also shared the audit findings across Group companies to help enhance overall quality levels.
For the Group companies outside Japan, the quality audits are conducted every other year, since they already maintain a very high level of quality management system, similar to the group companies in Japan, except for certain SAP manufacturing sites.
At Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc. (NAII) Houston Plant and NSE, we conduct annual quality audits in response to customer requests and did it in FY2024 as well.

Quality exchange meeting

The annual quality exchange meeting is held by quality personnel from the Group companies in Japan, with each company taking turns holding it. In FY2024, it was held at our Kawasaki Plant (Chidori), with the theme of “Efficiency in Quality Control and Quality Assurance Operations.” Prior to the meeting, a survey was conducted on the theme, and each company shared the implementation status and the challenges during the exchange meeting from each company. Additionally, in the demonstration of the newly introduced quality control system at Quality Control Department in Kawasaki plant, the automatic capture of analytical data was showcased using wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as digital data conversion functions such as OCR. There were lively discussions and exchanges of opinions on system operations, making it a very valuable opportunity for each company.