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Marubeni official website. This page offers you information about our Supply Chain.

Society > Supply Chain > Policy > Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy

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Policy

Our Basic Idea on Supply Chain

Our diverse global business operations are based on relationships with thousands of Marubeni Group business partners. The importance of building sustainable supply chains has increased in recent years. Both internally and in partnership with business partners, the Group is engaged in initiatives to conserve the global environment while promoting sustainable development of society throughout supply chains. We see such efforts contributing directly to the enhanced competitiveness and differentiation of the Marubeni Group.
Respect for human rights is an essential element of building sustainable supply chains. By building sustainable and resilient supply chains, the Group aims to foster stakeholder confidence in Marubeni and expand business opportunities.

Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy

Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy (Revised January 2019)

  1. The Marubeni Group, not being satisfied with simply strengthening its own sustainability initiatives, supports strengthening sustainability throughout its supply chain with the objective of building an environmentally friendly, healthy and sustainable society.
  2. Having set out the Supply Chain Sustainability Guidelines below, the Marubeni Group asks for the understanding and cooperation of its business partners in observing the Guidelines, to promote, together with its business partners, highly effective sustainability initiatives. Further, when calling on its business partners, the Marubeni Group will communicate the Guidelines so that they are fully aware of the Guidelines and will assist business partners’ capacity building by making recommendations, requests or providing guidance as necessary and by sharing examples of good practices.
  3. Supply Chain Sustainability Guidelines
    1. 1)Observance of Laws:
      • Observe the laws of the countries where business is conducted and laws relating to business transactions.
    2. 2)Respect for Human Rights:
      • Respect human rights without discrimination, harassment of any kind, abuse or other inhumane treatment.
      • No child labor or forced labor.
      • Proper management of employees’ work hours, breaks and holidays and prohibition of excessive overtime work.
      • Payment of the legally mandated minimum wage and endeavoring to pay at least a living wage. No inappropriate wage abatement.
      • Respect for employees’ right to unionize for the purpose of labor-management negotiations and right to collective bargaining.
    3. 3)Conservation of the Environment:
      • Recognize that climate change issues are important and respond appropriately.
      • Protect the natural environment.
      • Reduce environmental negative impact, prevent pollution.
    4. 4)Fair Transactions:
      • Conduct fair transactions and do not inhibit free competition.
      • Prevent corruption; offer no bribes or illegal contributions.
    5. 5)Safety and Health:
      • Ensure safe and healthy workplaces and maintain a good working environment.
    6. 6)Quality Control:
      • Maintain the quality and safety of products and services.
    7. 7)Information Disclosure:
      • Timely and appropriate disclosure of information
  4. As part of this Policy, the Marubeni Group has set out the following procedures for dealing with vendors that do not meet labor standards.
    1. (i) When it comes to light that a vendor has failed to meet labor standards relating to 1) Observance of Laws, 2) Respect for Human Rights or 5) Safety and Health, we will as necessary, ask the vendor to:
      • Ascertain the facts, and
      • If the facts are true, prepare a report on the background of the issue and improvement measures.
      Depending on circumstances, we may also inspect the vendor.
    2. (ii) If we determine that improvement measures are insufficient, we will request that further measures be taken.
    3. (iii) If, despite implementing steps (i) and (ii) above, the situation does not improve, we will examine whether to continue our relationship with the vendor.

The term of “human rights” in the Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy as used herein shall include the fundamental human rights provided for by the Constitution, the Labor Standards Law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
In addition, the term shall include human rights with regard to equal employment, prohibition of forced labor and child labor, freedom of association and protection of collective bargaining rights, as prescribed by the International Labor Standards of International Labor Organization (ILO).

Conservation of the environment in Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy includes energy consumption, climate change, water consumption, impact on biodiversity, environmental issues, pollution, waste, and resource use.

Marubeni aims to have all its long-term business partners*1understand and cooperate with the Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy, and we have been working to disseminate the policy to them.
Specifically, we are building a structure to deal with any revision to the Policy, by providing our existing and potential long-term business partners with a detailed explanation of each revision via a number of means, including briefing sessions, personal communications, and written communications to ensure our business partners have a full understanding of and are able to comply with our most updated Policy.

  • “Long-term business partners” include Group companies, suppliers, service providers, contractors, third-party manufacturers, JV partners and outsourcing partners.

Policies for Individual Commodities

Based on the “Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy”, Marubeni has formulated individual procurement policies for certain commodities to be more specific.

Forest-derived Products
Palm Oil
Beef
Marine Products
Coffee Beans

Basic Policy on Contribution to Local Communities

The Marubeni Group recognizes that contribution to local communities is vital for conducting and growing business. Our sales activities contribute to the establishment and expansion of economic and social infrastructure in each country and region, and social investment via business activities and various regional support activities contribute to the development of local communities. Specifically, we help to address wealth inequality and regional unemployment by creating employment in the areas where we do business. We also help to stimulate local economies by procuring goods and services within the region as far as possible. Furthermore, we engage proactively with the community to promote regional development as we conduct business activities that promote mutual growth of the Marubeni Group and the region.

Group-wide Initiatives

Measures to Counteract Noncompliance with Labor Standards under the Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy

Marubeni has formulated measures and procedures to counteract noncompliance with the labor standards set forth in the Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy, and effect improvements. The measures and procedures are as described below. There were no business partners that did not comply with the supply chain labor standards for FYE 3/2023.

Measures against Noncompliance with Labor Standards under the Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy[13KB]

Supply Chain Management Education/Training

To implement supply chain management, Marubeni holds webinar programs for the Company’s executives and employees to provide a better understanding of risks to human rights in the supply chain and other important issues.
Marubeni will continue to update the content every year and conduct the education and training programs.

Capacity Building of the Suppliers

To ensure that our suppliers are informed of the Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy and deepen their understanding on environmental, social issues and occupational health and safety, where necessary, advice, requests, or instructions are given and good examples are shared by the Marubeni’s sales personnel when visiting the suppliers, in our capacity building efforts with our suppliers.

Development of Sustainability Assessment Methods

The Marubeni Group is developing methods for assessing the potential risks from a business sustainability perspective as part of managing the risks involved in building supply chains that are sustainable and resilient. Incorporating the advice of an external consultant with specialized knowledge in the field, the definition of risk evaluation criteria takes into consideration relevant laws and regulations, international standards, and case studies taken from similar businesses.

Specifically, the approach involves evaluating the degree of potential risk for each type of risk in the three categories of “Environmental,” “Occupational Health and Safety,” and “Social,” taking into account (1) the sector and type of each business and (2) the country/region where each business has its operations. The degree of risk is judged based on the impact due to specific factors such as scale, range and irremediable character. We are introducing sustainability assessments in sustainability surveys sent to consolidated subsidiaries and suppliers, and as part of the risk analysis conducted for new investments.

Risk Assessment Items by Category
Environmental Climate change / Environmental pollution / Biodiversity / Resource management / Mitigation measures and administrative procedures (environmental)
Occupational Health and Safety Machine safety / Fires and explosions / Toxic substance exposure / Infection / Hazardous operations / Mitigation measures and administrative procedures (occupational health and safety)
Social Forced labor and human trafficking / Child labor / Working hours / Wages and employment contracts / Discrimination / Harassment at work and disciplinary measures / Respect for Diversity / Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining / Land issues / Negative societal impact on local communities/ Indigenous peoples and cultural heritage / Conflict minerals / Privacy / Animal welfare / Responsible marketing / Mitigation measures and administrative procedures (social)

Sustainability Surveys for Consolidated Subsidiaries

The Marubeni Group consolidated subsidiaries around the world are the starting point for the supply chains with which we provide products and services. We recognize that safeguarding the sustainability of these business operations is a first step and a critical element of building sustainable and resilient supply chains.
With this recognition, the Marubeni Group has instituted sustainability surveys for our consolidated subsidiaries from FYE 3/2020 to FYE 3/2021. All of the Group's consolidated subsidiaries, which are approximately 400, are included in the subject of the survey, and of these, approximately 200 subsidiaries, which are considered that they are necessary to have detailed confirmation of the potential risks, are surveyed. For these 200 subsidiaries, we first assessed the potential risk level of each company using the sustainability assessment method. After, taking into account the characteristics of subsidiaries' industries, we selected those consolidated subsidiaries with a certain level of potential risk or higher, as candidates for the on-site survey, while we conducted a written survey of the other consolidated subsidiaries. We visited five of our domestic consolidated subsidiaries together with external consultants with specialized knowledge to conduct on-site investigations to confirm that the business is operated appropriately in terms of environmental, Occupational health and safety, and social aspects. As a result of the document and on-site investigations, we did not identify problems that require immediate action.
Since then, we have continued to monitor risk factors, including the presence or absence of changes in their business models that could affect their sustainability risk profile, as follow-up activities for the sustainability survey of our consolidated subsidiaries (survey for managing sustainability-related points of change at consolidated subsidiaries) mentioned above. This survey is aimed at confirming that, when certain points of change in their businesses or services were confirmed in the last one year, our consolidated subsidiaries have fully enhanced their management in the environmental, occupational health and safety including labor standards, and social aspects in response to those changes. If any problems are discovered in this survey, we take actions to improve the management, such as giving advice or recommendations about necessary improvement measures. In the survey conducted in FYE 3/2023, we found points of change at 15 consolidated subsidiaries. Each had strengthened their management in response to the changes, and we found no problem requiring immediate additional measures.

Sustainability Surveys for Consolidated Subsidiaries

【On-site Inspection of Shinko Chemical Terminal Co., Ltd. (Headquarter and Kobe Office) in November 2020】

We conducted an on-site inspection of the Headquarter and Kobe Office of Shinko Chemical Terminal Co., Ltd., which has bases in Kobe, Nagoya, and Hakata, and which operates and manages liquid chemical tank bases. Together with outside consultants, we confirmed the status of business operations in terms of its environmental, occupational health and safety, and social aspects, by interviewing management and on-site personnel and observing on-site operational conditions. Through the three-day survey, we confirmed the excellent initiatives which should be continued regarding environmental management, occupational health and safety, and disaster preparedness by Shinko Chemical Terminal Co., Ltd. and also discussed opportunities for improvement and completed the follow-up items.

  • On-site inspection in progress
    On-site inspection in progress
  • Kobe Office
    Kobe Office

Sustainability Surveys to Suppliers

In accordance with the Sustainability Guidelines of the Basic Supply Chain Sustainability Policy (hereinafter referred to as “Basic Policy”), Marubeni conducts on-site surveys for suppliers at their manufacturing and production sites to see their initiatives in relation to our Basic Policy.

Multifaceted surveys suitable for the business situation and regional characteristics are conducted on-site, covering areas such as human rights (including child labor or forced labor), observance of law, fair trade, health and safety, quality control, environment, and disclosure of information. The issues of the survey and the survey methods are constantly being reviewed, including third-party opinions, in an effort to always be relevant to the current situations. Survey results are also reported back to the visited sites, so that the information can be shared and utilized for further improvement. If there are cases that do not meet our rules, are non-compliant, or are confirmed to have negative impact, we encourage the suppliers to report by their own initiative and take actions to lessen the effects, in our effort to reduce environmental and social impact throughout the entire supply chain.

For any non-compliance, we handle it through actions for improvement towards the supplier. We give training, enlightenment activities, support, and corrective instructions to the suppliers to promote environmental and social countermeasures. If no improvements are made after these activities, we warn the supplier that we may stop doing business with them.

From FY2011 to FY2018, we conducted on-site inspections of 18 suppliers.
On-site inspections were not conducted between FY2019 and FY2021 due to the impact of the new coronavirus, but they were resumed in November 2022, and during FY2022 we visited three factories which handle products that are considered to be relatively high risk from a supply chain sustainability perspective. (Cumulative total from FY2011 to FY2022: 21 companies)
We will continue to strive to promote understanding of sustainability by holding training sessions for suppliers on environmental, social, and other sustainability issues, and promote initiatives to reduce environmental and social impacts throughout the supply chain, in order to create a sustainable and resilient supply chain.

Visit to the Vietnam Sewing Factories in February 2023

In February 2023, we visited two of our suppliers in Vietnam, the sewing factories BAC GIANG LGG GARMENT CORPORATION and Haivina Kim Lien Factory, to investigate the status of their sustainability initiatives.
During the survey, in accordance with our “Basic Policy on Sustainability in the Supply Chain”, we confirmed the status of compliance with laws applicable to the apparel manufacturing process, respect for human rights, occupational health and safety, and environmental protection, and found no serious violations.

BAC GIANG LGG GARMENT CORPORATION

General Observance of Laws

  • We confirmed that the company has established a special department to identify, understand, and comply with laws and regulations relating to the factory operations. The applicable legislation is displayed in the factory to inform employees of the laws and regulations.
Human Rights (Child Labor, Forced Labor, Contact Point, Labor Conditions, etc.)
  • The company concludes employment contracts with all employees, which include the terms and conditions of employment such as working hours, wages, overtime pay, and holiday entitlement.
  • The minimum wage is in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and overtime pay is paid as appropriate.
  • A labor union has been formed and all employees are members.
  • An employee grievance mechanism has been developed and is in operation. Employees can file a grievance with the company through the suggestion box, web chat app, or website.
Occupational Health and Safety
  • The company has established a policy on occupational health and safety, which is communicated to all employees.
  • The company has introduced a monitoring system to identify potential risks in its factory operations.
  • In addition to medical examinations for all employees, surveillance is conducted for employees who may be exposed to occupational diseases or occupational illnesses.
  • First aid kits are installed in each section of the factory, and a first aid team is assigned to every shift.
  • The company has a medical room staffed by doctors and nurses. Transportation by ambulance for emergency treatment is possible in case of an emergency.
  • The company manages chemical substances in accordance with local laws and regulations.
  • Fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, and other fire and disaster prevention systems have been installed in the factory, and periodic inspections are conducted.
  • The company has evacuation maps in place and conducts regular evacuation drills with the cooperation of the fire department.
  • Drinking water dispensers for employees are located throughout the factory.
Preservation of the Environment
  • The company has a written environmental policy which is disseminated to employees.
  • The company regularly monitors wastewater and exhaust emissions to ensure that they are within the limits prescribed under local laws.
  • The company employs qualified waste disposal contractors to properly dispose of waste.
  • First Aid Kit
    First Aid Kit
  • Fire extinguishers, inspected periodically
    Fire extinguishers, inspected periodically
  • Grievance Box
    Grievance Box

Haivina Kim Lien Factory

General Observance of Laws

  • We confirmed that the company has established a special department to identify, understand, and comply with laws and regulations relating to the factory operations. The applicable legislation is displayed in the factory to inform employees of the laws and regulations.
Human Rights (Child Labor, Forced Labor, Contact Point, Labor Conditions, etc.)
  • In order to prevent child labor, when hiring employees the company conducts age verification by means of ID cards and other identification documents.
  • The company concludes employment contracts with all employees that include working hours, wages, overtime pay, holiday entitlement, and other employment conditions.
  • The company appropriately manages employee working hours, including overtime hours, in accordance with laws and regulations.
  • The company's labor rules prohibit unfair treatment in relation to hiring, promotion, and compensation of any particular groups based on race, gender, religion, or other factors, as well as physical abuse and humiliating punishment.
  • The company has developed and operates a grievance mechanism for employees. Employees may file a grievance using the suggestion box or the hotline provided by the company.
  • The minimum wage is in compliance with the legal minimum wage requirements, and overtime is paid as appropriate.
  • Employees are guaranteed paid holiday and are encouraged to use it.
  • Labor unions are organized and the right to collective bargaining is recognized.
Occupational Health and Safety
  • The company has formulated a policy on occupational health and safety, which is displayed in the factory to inform employees of the policy.
  • Environmental, health, and safety risk assessments are conducted on a regular basis. The results of the most recent assessments indicated no particular problems.
  • In addition to medical examinations for all employees, surveillance is conducted for employees who may be exposed to occupational or work-related diseases.
  • Chemical substances are managed in accordance with local laws and regulations.
  • The company has established protective equipment regulations to ensure the occupational safety of its employees, who are regularly provided with protective equipment.
  • Fire and disaster prevention systems such as fire extinguishers and fire hydrants are installed in the factory, and periodic inspections are conducted.
  • Evacuation maps are placed in designated locations, and evacuation drills are conducted regularly with the cooperation of the fire department.
  • There is a medical room staffed by doctors and nurses and transportation by ambulance for emergency treatment is possible.
  • Drinking water dispensers for employees are located throughout the plant.
  • First aid kits are installed in each section of the plant, and a first aid team is assigned to every shift.
Preservation of the Environment
  • The environmental policy is communicated to employees and published on the company's website.
  • A dedicated team including qualified specialists is responsible for the factory's wastewater treatment system and waste disposal.
  • The company conducts monitoring of wastewater on a regular basis to ensure that they are operating within the limits prescribed under local laws.
  • The company is regularly audited by a third-party organization, and no specific problems have been identified.
  • First aid instructions on display
    First aid instructions on display
  • Water station
    Water station
  • Attendance management time card system
    Attendance management time card system

Click here for “Visited the Côte d'Ivoire Natural Rubber Processing Plant in November 2022”

Working with Our Supply-chain Partners

Starting in FYE 3/2022, we are working on surveying our Tier 1 (direct) suppliers to identify sustainability risks in our supply chains. Specifically, we plan to focus mainly on the supply chains for commercial products where we believe there are major potential risks relating to sustainability. From FYE 3/2021 to FYE 3/2023, we reaffirmed the Marubeni Group’s policy on sustainability to the Group's approximately 23,000 Tier 1 suppliers in writing and requested their understanding and cooperation. In FYE 3/2023, based on the use of surveys and monitoring, we will request cooperation from Tier 1 suppliers to identify and address the sustainability risks in supply chains for commercial products where we see major potential risks relating to this issue. Where surveys identify specific issues, we aim to take steps to improve and enhance management systems in cooperation with suppliers.

Initiatives for Individual Commodities

Marubeni Group Meat (Beef) Supply Initiatives

The Marubeni Group is committed to procuring beef with an emphasis on ensuring food safety to meet the increasing demand for high quality beef in countries around the world.

For imported beef, we select suppliers from beef producing areas around the world, including North America, Australia, and South America, on the precondition that they handle beef that can be traced not only in terms of quality, production processes, and hygiene management, but also to the farms from which the live cattle are shipped.

The Group' s two major beef-related businesses are Rangers Valley Cattle Station Pty, Ltd. ("Rangers Valley"), a feedlot in Australia, and Creekstone Farms Premium Beef LLC ("Creekstone"), a beef processing business in the United States. The two companies produce, process, and sell premium beef with high quality considering sustainability.

  • Creekstone
    Creekstone
  • Rangers Valley
    Rangers Valley
  • Rangers Valley (Aerial photo)
    Rangers Valley (Aerial photo)
Our Policy

The Marubeni Group is committed to maintaining food safety, and to expanding the sale of high-quality, sustainable premium beef, as outlined in the policy below:

1. Ensuring Traceability

    The Marubeni Group’s beef-related businesses ensure traceability of beef to the herd at farms and/or feedlots. We also aim to secure traceability of imported beef to the herd at farms and/or feedlots.

2. Initiatives to Reduce Environmental Impact

    The Group's beef-related businesses regularly assess the impact of their operations on the environment and aim to reduce their environmental footprint.

3. Animal Welfare and Food Safety Initiatives

    During the production of our beef products, in addition to ensuring food safety, we engage in business operations that give consideration to animal welfare.

  • Black Angus cattle (Photo: Creekstone)
    Black Angus cattle (Photo: Creekstone)
  • Black Angus cattle (Photo: Rangers Valley)
    Black Angus cattle (Photo: Rangers Valley)
Initiative Example

1. Initiatives to Ensure Traceability

In the procurement of Group's beef-related business, we have ensured traceability for each living cattle to the shipping farms at Rangers Valley, and to the feedlots at Creekstone, as detailed below. For imported beef that we purchase, we are also aiming to establish traceability to the shipping farms and/or feedlots. The number of cattle shipped and the traceability rate for each beef-related group’s business are as follows:

Head of Cattle Shipped and Traceability

  2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Rangers Valley 58,859 54,147 56,615 50,968 53,380
Creekstone 297,075 338,782 447,573 489,408 525,296
Traceability
Rangers Valley: For each living cattle to the shipping farms
Creekstone: To the feedlots
100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Beef (grain-fed) Supply Chain

Beef (grain-fed) Supply Chain

The Australian feedlot operator Rangers Valley ensures the traceability of its cattle based on the National Livestock Identification System*2. All animals are given electronic radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for tracking birth dates and breeding history. In addition, the company has built a close relationship with more than 400 breeding and rearing farms, and procures live cattle after ascertaining genetic information and birth records. Rangers Valley ensures the supply of beef with a focus on food safety through individual controls and traceability.

  • Australia’s system for identification and traceability of livestock.

2. Initiatives to Reduce Environmental Impact

<Initiatives at Rangers Valley>
Rangers Valley uses life cycle assessment (LCA) to check the impact of their business on the environment. Additionally, the company aims to increase animal size efficiently by voluntarily reviewing feed formulation and feeding/fattening methods. Rangers Valley continually strives to reduce the environmental impact of its feedlot operations.

<Initiatives at Creekstone>
Creekstone is working to reduce the volume of water it consumes by, for example, reusing wastewater from its plant to use as cleaning water for live cattle holding pens.

Through both businesses, we will continue our efforts to reduce our environmental impact.

3. Other Initiatives Related to Animal Welfare and Food Safety

<Initiatives at Rangers Valley>
Rangers Valley is committed to raising healthy cattle to guarantee food safety. In particular, the company blends plant-derived feed ingredients that it procures in-house for each stage of fattening and fattens the cattle without the use of growth hormones. The company also places an emphasis on ensuring the safety of feed ingredients by requiring feed ingredient suppliers to submit a Commodity Vendor Declaration.

<Initiatives at Creekstone>
To meet market needs, Creekstone has established a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) certification program to provide “Creekstone Farms Natural Black Angus Beef,” raised without the use of growth hormones, antibiotics, or animal-derived feed. The Creekstone Farms Natural Black Angus Beef program obtained the “Certified Humane” certification from the HFAC (Humane Farm Animal Care*3) organization, a third-party certification body, since September 2015.

Creekstone's live cattle holding facility is an indoor facility—a rarity in the U.S.—that was designed to reduce stress on live cattle based on the opinions of Dr. Temple Grandin, a leading expert on animal welfare in the U.S. The facility is designed to avoid cattle being exposed to direct sunlight and maintains a constant temperature inside the facility, its exterior walls helping to maintain an environment with less external stress on the animals.

Creekstone conducts a series of animal welfare e-learning training courses designed specifically for animal handlers by Intertek Alchemy and the North American Meat Institute, for all employees who may handle live cattle to raise awareness of the importance of animal welfare.

  • Humane Farm Animal Care: A non-profit organization established to promote and administer the “Certified Humane® Raised & Handled” certification and labeling program for meat, dairy, eggs and poultry raised in accordance with U.S. animal welfare standards.

To see more initiatives of Creekstone and Rangers Valley, Click the link below.

Creekstone

Rangers Valley

Environmentally Conscious Marine Product Procurement Initiatives

The Marubeni Group is committed to procuring marine products that have received MSC certification*4, which certifies that the products are wild-caught in consideration of marine resources and the environment, and ASC certification*5 and BAP certification*6, which certify that the products are produced through responsible aquaculture.
The status of the certified marine products handled by the operating companies is as follows:

Seafood Procurement Performance Data

Danish Salmon A/S – Landed quantity of inshore farmed salmon and percentage of landings that are ASC certified

FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022
Landings (tons) 1,010 1,170 1,100 867 938
ASC certification acquisition rate 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Eastern Fish Company – Percentage of MSC, ASC, and BAP certifications in terms of purchase volume

FY2018 FY2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022
Purchase (tons) 36,078 40,277 37,853 40,354 32,996
Certified quantity (tons) 24,577 28,021 28,596 29,544 26,967
Certification acquisition rate 68% 70% 76% 73% 82%
  • MSC: A certification system for sustainable fisheries to protect the world's marine resources, administered by the Marine Stewardship Council.
  • ASC: An international certification program for environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture products, administered by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
  • BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices): An international certification system for environmentally and socially responsible farmed seafood, administered by the Global Seafood Alliance.

Textiles-related Business: Initiatives to Procure Textile Raw Materials in Consideration of the Environment

Enhancing the Handling of Environmentally Friendly Fiber Materials

In recent years, sustainability has become a trend in the global fashion market, and awareness of this trend, in both producers and consumers, has been increasing.
As such, Marubeni is expanding and enhancing its handling of environmentally friendly textile raw materials as one of its initiatives to contribute to sustainability.
Marubeni will continue to stably procure and supply GOTS-certified organic cotton from India.
In addition, from FY2023, Marubeni started to supply polyester raw materials and cellulose fiber raw materials recycled from cotton and polyester products by utilizing the textile recycling technology of Circ, Inc., a United States-based company in which Marubeni invested in 2019. By combining this initiative with Marubeni's global network, Marubeni will not only supply recycled fiber raw materials, but also aim to establish a global circular supply chain in the Americas, Europe, and Asia―a market with great future potential.

Click here for more details on the initiatives of Circ, Inc.

Procurement of Organic Cotton

Marubeni has partnered with an Indian textile company to supply organic cotton yarn to domestic and foreign weaving and knitting factories.
This textile company selects farms with organic certification and purchase raw cotton which is certified by GOTS from the ginning (the post-harvest process for separating the cotton seeds from the fibers) factories.
The company itself also has GOTS certification, so the organic cotton Marubeni handles is 100% traceable.

Performance data

  FY2020 FY2021 FY2022
Organic cotton handling volume (tonnes) 1,162 1,947 772
Proportion to overall cotton traded 10% 20% 15.2%
Traceability 100% 100% 100%
GOTS certification 100% 100% 100%

Stakeholder Engagement Initiatives in Vietnam

In December 2023, Marubeni met with SIMEXCO DAKLAK LTD. (SIMEXCO) in Vietnam as part of the stakeholder engagement initiatives of both parties from an ESG perspective with the aim of further enhancing the value of the coffee bean supply-chain in which both companies are involved. In addition to each business department, the sustainability department of both companies participated in constructive discussions to deepen mutual understanding of existing initiatives implemented by each company, and also to consider future areas to focus on, confirming our mutual recognition as to the importance of addressing climate change and environmental issues, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, and international salient social and human rights issues, such as eliminating forced labor and child labor, and ensuring occupational health and safety and basic workers’ rights.

Marubeni and SIMEXCO recognize that all operators involved in the coffee bean value chain, including the farms and each step in production, including the farmers at the production sites and factory workers, are all important stakeholders in this value chain. Prior to the meeting above, we together visited farms and factories to engage in direct dialogue with operators and workers involved in the coffee farming and production process. Based on these continuous efforts to ensure face to face dialogue with all stakeholders, SIMEXCO has provided voluntary support that will contribute to improving the living standards and wellbeing of these operators, for example by providing medical supplies, protective clothing and equipment and training on best practices.

Marubeni are committed to continue our stakeholder engagement initiatives with SIMEXCO to work together to build a sustainable and ethical coffee value chain.

Other Initiatives of the Marubeni Group

<Initiatives with edish>

Marubeni used LCA in the planning and development of “edish”, a circular economy tableware range made from food waste, that can be reborn again and again.

Click here to view a detailed explanation of how LCA was used and our initiatives with “edish”.

Through the above business, we will continue to promote efforts to reduce impact on the environment.

Participation in International Initiatives

Sedex

Cia. Iguaçu de Café Solúvel and Marubeni Foods Corporation, Marubeni’s subsidiary companies, take part in the platform of Sedex*7 for coffee and other beverage raw materials, and collaborates with suppliers on respect for human rights, occupational health and safety, reduction of environmental impact, and quality assurance in the supply chain.

  • Sedex: A global ethical trading service provider dedicated to improving working conditions in global supply chains.

EcoVadis

Marubeni America Corporation, Marubeni International (Europe) GmbH, a subsidiary company of Marubeni Europe plc, and operating companies (Marubeni Intex Co., Ltd. and Marubeni Techno Rubber Corporation) are subscribed to EcoVadis*8.
Marubeni will build sustainable supply chains, strengthen risk management, and expand ethical business practices.

  • EcoVadis: A global cloud-based SaaS platform that provides comprehensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) assessment services.

RSPO

Marubeni Corporation joined RSPO in 2015 to procure certified oil sustainably.

ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification)

Marubeni Corporation, Marubeni America Corporation, Marubeni International (Europe) GmbH, Marubeni ASEAN Pte. Ltd., Marubeni Plax Corporation, Marubeni Petroleum Co. Ltd. and Marubeni Energy Europe Limited (hereinafter referred to as the seven Marubeni Group companies), have obtained accreditation from the ISCC regarding promotion of the sustainable production of biomass (fuels, agricultural products, forest materials, waste and residues, non-living biomass, and recycled carbon materials) in their supply chains, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as sustainable land use, conserving biodiversity, and progress towards a sustainable society.
The seven Marubeni Group companies commit and declare their compliance with the ISCC requirements in accordance with the latest ISCC regulations.

Marubeni Corporation