Initiatives for Biodiversity

Kumiai Group’s corporate philosophy ’s overriding theme is “Protecting and fostering life and nature,” and the conservation of biodiversity is an important management issue closely related to the Agricultural Chemicals and Agriculture-Related Business. As a chemical manufacturer, we manage water resources and waste appropriately and conduct business activities while taking steps to ensure we do not negatively impact biodiversity. Moreover, we are actively engaged in “nature positive” activities that will positively impact biodiversity.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

30by30 is an initiative led by the Ministry of the Environment to effectively conserve at least 30% of the land and sea as healthy ecosystems by 2030, thereby achieving the goals of halting biodiversity loss and restoring biodiversity. In December 2023, Kumiai joined the 30by30 Alliance, eager to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in support of its goals.
Based on the concept of refugia, that is, places where relict populations of species are able to exist, thus avoiding extinction, as certain species did during the Ice Age for example, Kumiai has established a nature reserve in the town of Fukushima, Hokkaido, and will create another nature reserve in Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture, to conserve the biodiversity and rich natural environments of those regions.

Formation of a 3,030-square-meter biotope will be completed in 2025 on land adjacent to Kumiai’s Life Science Research Institute in Kikugawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture, recreating a satoyama landscape in an urbanized area. The biotope will feature streams, wetlands, ponds, grasslands, and wooded areas and we will protect the rare creatures that inhabit the area (fireflies, Japanese pond turtles, etc.), thereby contributing to the conservation of biodiversity. The biotope will also be a venue for local children to learn about biodiversity and environmental conservation.

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.
In 2024, we received a letter of appreciation from the city of Sendai for our contributions to greening.

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.