Our Approach to Sustainability
ShareOur Sustainability Vision
Sustainability Compass
Aluminum is an essential material that supports our daily lives.
It is a material that is freely transformable in its shape and has unlimited potential.
It can be infinitely recycled as the same product, which is a unique characteristic that differentiates aluminum from other materials.
Simply put, aluminum is the sustainable material of choice.
The UACJ Group has both cutting-edge technologies and seasoned expertise to realize aluminum’s full potential as a material. This wisdom and passion has been built up over 100 years, and with it, UACJ seeks a future in which the Earth will continue to be beautiful and bountiful.
We are resolved to grow businesses that are environmentally friendly, and committed to solve the various challenges of society that we face across the globe.
We contribute to create a healthy and harmonious society where everyone can feel Well-being. Our employees value diversity inherent in society, and we look to harness this diversity to create synergies with our stakeholders and local communities.
A lighter tomorrow with aluminum.
A beautiful planet and a sustainable society for the next generation of the future.
These principles are what the UACJ Group believes the “Lighter World” is all about.
Our Sustainability Philosophy
Our approach to sustainability is rooted in our Group Philosophy. We regard sustainability activities as a core element that has a direct bearing on the very meaning and purpose of our business. We believe it is essential for our employees—the main actors in these activities—to engage with a variety of stakeholders within society and undertake these activities as one, driven by the principle: "Passing down a 'Lighter World' over the next century."
We have formalized this thinking as our "Sustainability Basic Policy." Furthermore, we have created our "Sustainability Compass" to ensure that employees and diverse stakeholders share a common vision for achieving "A 'Lighter World' over the next century."
We are acutely aware that our business cannot continue into the future unless we eliminate the various challenges facing modern society—including environmental problems—to ensure future generations can live in a lighter and more enjoyable world than today. We must become a company that actively contributes to building a sustainable society. Therefore, we are advancing highly effective sustainability activities under a strong sense of crisis and mission.
UACJ Group Sustainability Policy
1. Contribute to sustainability through technologies and innovation
The UACJ Group shall contribute to the sustainability of society and the global environment by applying the technologies and expertise it has accumulated over its history to offer innovative solutions.
2. Work together with stakeholders
The UACJ Group shall forge partnerships and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and people across society in its efforts to help make the world more sustainable through its business activities.
3. Respect the individuality of diverse members
The UACJ Group shall take steps to ensure that the individuality of its diverse members is respected, regardless of their nationality, gender, age, disabilities, or other characteristics, and provide them with opportunities to apply their individual knowledge and skills to help devise innovative solutions.
Framework for Promoting Sustainability
We have built a sustainability promotion structure to clarify responsibilities and accelerate decision-making in sustainability activities. Specifically, we designate a responsible person and supervising department for each Materiality and track progress based on the set KPIs. Furthermore, we share and examine progress at regular reporting meetings for each field, thereby heightening the effectiveness of the initiatives. Centered on the Corporate Sustainability Division, we pursue value provision and the creation of new business models that start from the resolution of social issues.
| Materiality Issues | Officers in Charge | Organization in Charge | KPI Monitoring (Reporting Body) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Frequency | |||
| Leading a Circular Economy in Aluminum | Executive Officer in charge of Climate Change Countermeasures | Environmental Sustainability Department Safety & Environment Department |
Environmental Committee | Three times annually (June, October, February) |
| Measures to address Climate Change | ||||
| Supporting Environmental Health and Nature (Nature Positive) | ||||
| Respecting Human Rights | Chief Executive of the Business Support Division | Legal Department | Compliance Committee | Once annually (March) |
| Promoting Dei-ay | Chief Executive of the Corporate Sustainability Division Chief Executive of the Business Support Division | Well-being Design Department Human Resources Department |
Human Resources Committee | Twice annually (July, November) |
Responsibilities to and Methods for Communicating with Stakeholders
| Key Responsibilities | Communication Methods | |
|---|---|---|
| Customers |
Maintain and improve the quality of products and services Provide products and services that are good for society Use a wide variety of technologies and expertise to solve customers’ problems |
Dialogue in daily business dealings Website Dialogue through technology exhibits Customer satisfaction surveys |
| Suppliers |
Build sound relationships through fair transactions respecting laws and ordinances Fulfill CSRs throughout the supply chain |
Dialogue in daily business dealings |
| Environment |
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Promote energy efficiency and recycling Protect biodiversity Reduce industrial waste Manage and reduce harmful chemical substances |
Operate within laws and regulations Support the Kyoto Protocol on fighting global warming, the Nagoya Protocol on biodiversity, and other international agreements Support environmental activities advanced by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and others |
| Investors |
Provide appropriate returns Make timely and appropriate disclosures Increase corporate value |
General meeting of shareholders Shareholder communications Results briefings Telephone conferences One-on-one meetings Shareholder plant tours Website |
| Employees |
Respect human rights Develop personnel, and provide fair evaluations and compensation Protect worker safety and health (including mental health) Support diverse working styles, and employee efforts to meet work and personal responsibilities |
Company Newsletter Intranet |
| Local Communities |
Support sports and cultural activities, and efforts to nurture future generations Participate in and support traditional events Support and work with local and other NPOs |
Plant tours Local events Neighborhood clean-up and other social contribution activities by employees |
Message through our Sustainability Logo
This logo represents our commitment to solving social problems through our business activities, which are based on the UACJ Group Philosophy. The logo is composed of two main elements. The three circles on the left symbolize the UACJ Group Philosophy, which consists of Our Purpose, Our Vision, and Our Values, while the colored dots on the right represent the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This design embodies our core belief: "Our business activities and sustainability promotion activities, guided by the Group Philosophy, will lead to the solution of social problems."