Initiatives for Biodiversity
Kumiai Group Basic Policy on the Environment
- The Kumiai Chemical Group strives to reduce its environmental impact by establishing and implementing an environmental management system, and making continuous improvements. Officers and employees make concerted efforts to protect the global environment proactively.
- The Kumiai Chemical Group researches, develops, and produces environmentally friendly products and services and provides them to society. We also promote the development of a recycling-oriented society by using water resources sustainably, conserving resources, and reducing waste.
- The Kumiai Chemical Group contributes to the realization of a low-carbon society by continuously reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the aim of mitigating and adapting to global warming.
- The Kumiai Chemical Group contributes to the realization of a society that coexists with the natural environment by giving consideration to preserving the bounty of nature (the natural environment) and biodiversity.
Participation in the industry - government -university “Satochi-Satoyama Conservation Project”
In collaboration with RIKENGREEN, which is one of our group companies, Utsunomiya University, and the “Satoyama Oogisu wo aisuru kai” association, we participated in the industry - government – university “Satochi-Satoyama Conservation Project” (Cabinet Office certification) that utilizes the corporate version of the hometown tax system in Nasukarasuyama City, Tochigi Prefecture. The increase in unused farmland and decay of forests has resulted erosion due to weeds, and is becoming a serious issue. Currently, weeds are removed using trimmers, but such individual efforts have limitations. Therefore, the “Satochi-Satoyama Project to Eliminate Weeds” was launched as part of the “Satochi-Satoyama Conservation Project.” Kumiai Group is aiming to achieve laborsaving weed control using a “Plant growth regulator” SHORTKEEP. “Satochi-Satoyama” areas (between towns and mountains) are important for the supply of natural resources such as food and timber, beautiful landscapes, replenishing water resources, and national land conservation, and are vital habitats for various plants and animals. We will contribute to promote biodiversity through demonstration tests using our group chemicals and technologies for implementing initiatives to revitalize Satoyama areas.
Activities for Maintaining and Managing Mountain Forests in Hokkaido
In 1974, we purchased approximately 640 hectares of forest in the town of Fukushima, Hokkaido, and made an agreement with the Fukushima Forest Cooperative to maintain and manage the forest, which we have continued to do until today. As a secondary effect of the forest conservation, in recent years water source conservation functions (water purification functions and water storage functions) have improved, which has resulted in sufficient nutrients flowing to nearby oceans via rivers, that benefits squid and seaweed in the area, which are local specialties. We provide the lumber from forest thinning that is done to foster good Japanese cedars to Fukushima, which has resulted in local employment through forest management activities. This has allowed us to contribute toward local revitalization while also promoting biodiversity.
Since FY2022, we have also been supporting the town's forestation tree-planting festival organized by the Hokkaido Fukushima-cho Forest Growing Council and the Fukushima Yoshioka Fishery Cooperative Association Yoshioka Area Women's Club. By cooperating in the maintenance of not only our forests but also neighboring forests, we are protecting the rich natural environment and contributing to the conservation of biodiversity.
The Dongri Project
The Kumiai Group has been involved in "the Dongri Project" since 2013 to contribute to the restoration of coastal disaster prevention forests in Miyagi Prefecture, which was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, as part of its disaster relief efforts.
Until now, we have planted approximately 720 konara oak trees and 770 black pine trees, grown into seedlings in our research institute by collecting acorns in Miyagi Prefecture.
