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Mitsui & Co.’s Materiality

Secure sustainable supply of essential products

Ensure the sustainable and stable supply of resources, materials, food and manufactured products that are vital for the development of society.

Recognition of Societal Issues

  • Population growth and expanding demand for resources, energy, raw materials, food, manufactured products, etc.
  • Improvement of production and supply capacity to respond to climate change
  • Safety and security of food and manufactured products

Major Risks and Opportunities

Risks

  • Supply failures of resources, energy, raw materials, food, manufactured products, etc. caused by climate change, COVID-19, etc.
  • Reputational damage resulting from safety and health problems affecting the final consumers of food and manufactured products

Opportunities

  • Improvement of production and supply capacity through responding to the effects of climate change, COVID-19, etc.
  • Enhancement of competitiveness through the establishment of traceability, responsible marketing leading to demand expansion

Materiality Action Plans

Please scroll horizontally to look at table below.

SDGs
targets(s)
Segment Business unit Business field Response to issues Target
(assuming a date by 2030)
Actions and performance indices
for achieving the target
Current status/progress
  • RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Mineral & Metal Resources Mineral & Metal Resources Mineral and metal resources development and recycling We will contribute to the stable supply of mineral and metal resources that support economic growth, society and industry. Improve the stable supply system by expanding mineral and metal resources and promoting recycling businesses.
  • Continue mining business development and improve cost competitiveness.
  • Improve the value chain of recycling businesses.
  • We have acquired new interests in Western Ridge iron deposits owned by BHP in the Australian iron ore business (BHP 85%, Itochu 8%, Mitsui 7%).
  • We have acquired new interests in Grosvenor Coal Mine owned by Anglo American in the Australian coking coal business. Also, we are working to consolidate the adjacent mining areas and improve productivity (Anglo American 88%, our Company 4.75%, others).
  • We have made additional investment in interests in the Collahuasi copper mine in Chile (a 0.97% additional interest acquisition to bring our holding to 12%).
  • AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
  • RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Energy Energy I, Energy II Energy development We will contribute to the stable supply of sustainable energy. Build and enhance a stable energy production and supply portfolio that meets the expectations of customers and society. Maintain, expand and diversify energy supply by developing new projects and enhancing existing projects. We are promoting new energy development projects to steadily meet the needs of consumers around the world. In December 2020, the final investment decision was made (subject to the necessary government approvals) for the development of Stage 2 of the Waitsia Gas Field in Western Australia.
  • AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
Machinery & Infrastructure Infrastructure Projects Centralized power generation/centralized RE/distributed power generation We will carry out business operations in consideration to the stable operation and reduction of environmental burdens, and contribute to local communities through sustainable and stable power supply optimized for each country or region.
  • Complete construction projects and commence commercial operations.
  • Improve operating rate and thermal efficiency.
  • Implement environmental burden reduction measures.
  • Expand our business base as a general energy company that meets diverse customer needs, including environmental and social aspects.
  • Continue to implement PDCA for progress monitoring of projects under construction and improvement of project quality.
  • Verification/demonstration/practice of environmental burden reduction measures.
  • Develop businesses in new countries/regions.
  • Acquire new projects by improving sales structure, promoting digital marketing, and expanding solutions.
Through 88 electric power projects (Net capacity 11.9GW) in 26 countries around the world, we are working on a stable power supply that supports people's lives (as of June 30, 2022). In FY Mar/2022, Thailand gas-fired power plant projects in which we have invested were in operation following their partial completion.
  • INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Machinery & Infrastructure Infrastructure Projects Resource infrastructure (onshore/offshore) business We will fulfill our social mission and social responsibility for the stable supply of resources while fully considering the impact of operations on the environment, and contribute to the sustainable growth of countries and regions.
  • Improve the supply capacity and efficiency of existing businesses.
  • Complete construction projects and commence commercial operations.
  • Steadily operate by utilizing DX.
  • Reduce environmental burdens.
  • Continue to implement PDCA to improve efficiency.
  • Implement measures to improve utilization rates and efficiency.
Off the coast of Brazil, about 20% of the total oil and gas production for the country is produced by FPSOs which are jointly owned by MODEC. Going forward, we will continue to strive to acquire new projects in the global deep-sea oil and gas field areas, mainly off the coast of Brazil, and work to maintain and expand our stable supply base.
  • INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Machinery & Infrastructure Infrastructure Projects Social environment infrastructure business We will contribute to the expansion of global logistics demand by developing, expanding and steadily operating our logistics bases. Expand logistics infrastructure and improve efficiency in the world's growing logistics market.
  • Improve the operating rate and create new added value using DX.
  • Continue to work on improving efficiency, including maintenance.
In our container terminal business in Indonesia, we have maintained the industry's highest level of operational efficiency. We have secured the country's first direct service to the East Coast of North America, and are working to improve global logistics.
We are promoting the expansion of DX functions to further improve efficiency, such as a paperless (online) fee payment process and optimization of truck transportation.
At the end of 2021, a portion of the container yards under the control of Indonesia's state-owned port operator were made available, and is being utilized to meet growing international logistics demand.
  • INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Machinery & Infrastructure Mobility I Passenger vehicle sales and leasing We will respond to growing demand for mobility, resource transportation, and passenger vehicles, where demand is expected to increase (especially in emerging countries).
  • Expand sales and leasing system through our global network partners.
  • Supply vehicles that contribute to sales volume as well as sustainable growth and a reduction in environmental impact.
  • Make more extensive efforts with global partners in each area.
  • Sales volume (especially that of environmentally friendly vehicles), number of leases, sales area.
In addition to sales in Chile, Peru, The Philippines, etc., where demand for passenger and transportation vehicles is expanding with economic growth, we have begun a leasing business in Brazil.
  • INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Machinery & Infrastructure Mobility I Railway freight We will respond to the increase in transportation demand for grains, steel products, industrial products, etc. in Brazil by developing multi-modal transportation with low environmental impact. Create and enhance efficient multi-modal transportation in Brazil. Work with our partner in Brazil to improve the quality and quantity of transportation, such as expanding the range of transportation option, expanding the target cargo, and achieve reliable transportation. We are considering the use of trucks utilizing IT to achieve efficient multi-modal transportation with low environmental impact.
  • AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
  • INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Machinery & Infrastructure Mobility II Shipping We will provide high-quality, environmentally friendly, competitive ships and services to meet the ever-expanding demand for marine transportation as the world economy grows. Use DX to select the optimal shipping routes to save fuel and use new technologies such as new kinds of fuels to help reduce the environmental burden of shipping and enable sustainable growth of maritime industries. Increase our efforts with global partners in each area of the world (shipyards, shipowners, shipowners). Showcase initiatives for utilizing the technological capabilities of Japanese manufacturers. With emission reduction in the shipping industry becoming a global issue, in April 2021 we became a strategic partner of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS), a not-for-profit international research and development center dedicated to the decarbonization of the shipping industry.
  • GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
  • INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Machinery & Infrastructure Mobility II Railways We will promote our environmentally friendly railway transportation business, which serves as a major logistics artery in Europe and the Americas. European environmental policy in the railway field promotes the shift from trucks to railways, promotion of electrification, promotion of regional integration, etc. The policy is to increase the railway modal share from 18% in 2020 to 30% by 2030. By offering electric locomotives and maintenance services that will play a part in this policy, we help to reduce the environmental burden.
  • Phase out diesel locomotives and have only electric ones.
  • Reduce the environmental burden of our locomotives.
Mitsui Rail Capital Europe (MRCE), a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., which is the largest company in the European locomotive leasing industry, is working to reduce the environmental burden through the use of electric locomotives.
  • INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Chemicals Basic Materials Covering all business areas of the Business Unit
(Gas Chemicals Business/Basic Chemicals Business/Performance monomer/Tank Terminal Business)
We will achieve a sustainable society by supporting the steady supply of basic materials and industrial infrastructure. Solidify the production supply system through capacity expansion in the salt and methanol production businesses and tank terminal business, and expansion of trading by expanding logistics. Manage milestone of each project and expand trading based on trends in the oil-to-chemicals businesses. While the frequency of supply chain disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic is increasing, our trading function has made it possible for us to connect chains and give them some spare capacity. We will continue to maintain and improve our functions and presence.
  • RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Chemicals Chemicals Segment Compliance We will build a sustainable supply system in our management of chemical products by maintaining a compliance system and improving quality. Promote a legal compliance system for hazardous chemical substances, improve quality, give employee training for product safety, and participate in initiatives.
  • Provide opportunities for employee training and improve product quality.
  • Update, thoroughly understand, notify, and label hazard information and legal information on chemical substances.
  • Expand specialized human resources for chemical substance management.
We have updated legal information related to chemical substance management to protect the global environment through chemical substance management which is an important trade compliance along with security trade control. We regularly conduct training in the laws relating to chemical substance management to all Mitsui & Co. and group companies that handle chemical substances.
  • INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Chemicals Performance Materials Detergent raw materials, oleochemical business We will contribute to the stable supplies in the detergent raw materials and oleochemical business areas. Establish stable supply systems. Expand manufacturing and stabilize production.
  • We are supporting detergent raw material production in Thailand and marketing it globally.
  • We are promoting oleochemical production in Malaysia and China.
  • ZERO HUNGER
Chemicals Nutrition & Agriculture Agri-science business/Agri-solution business/Agri-innovation business We will achieve sustainable agricultural production through science. Achieve a reduction of environmental burden and agricultural productivity improvement by developing and disseminating agricultural technology.
  • Achieve a reduction of environmental burden and agricultural productivity improvement by developing and disseminating agricultural technology.
  • Develop and disseminate bio-pesticides made from fungi and natural extracts, to reduce the environmental burden and help achieve agricultural production in harmony with the environment.
  • Use soil analysis to help optimize the amount of chemical fertilizer applied and promote the spread of bio-stimulants.
  • Improve the agricultural material supply base in Africa.
  • Establish Ag-tech businesses.
  • We are promoting "IPM" (Integrated Pest Management), which combines biological pesticides and chemical pesticides, to help establish highly productive and sustainable agricultural systems.
  • We are developing a comprehensive agricultural material distribution business, mainly in Latin America.
  • Through the ETG company we are supplying agricultural materials in Africa.
  • We conducted an Ag-tech demonstration test in Hokkaido.
  • We have launched a pilot project of controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
  • ZERO HUNGER
Chemicals Nutrition & Agriculture Animal solutions business We will achieve sustainable agricultural production through science. Achieve a reduction of the environmental burden of livestock, and an improvement of productivity by developing and popularizing feed additives/veterinary drugs/vaccines.
  • Achieve efficient growth of livestock and a reduction of environmental emissions through establishment of a Gut Health (improvement of intestinal flora of livestock) business.
  • Improve livestock productivity and achieve animal welfare through the spread of vaccines and veterinary drugs.
  • We are promoting business reform in Novus, a company in which we have invested, to establish a Gut Health business.
  • We have entered into the animal genetics business. We are pursuing synergies with existing businesses such as animal nutrition and animal health.
  • AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
  • CLIMATE ACTION
Iron & Steel Products Iron & Steel Products GHG reduction promotion in product LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) We will work to build supply chains from the perspective of LCA, for global decarbonization. Together with partners in Japan and overseas, contribute to GHG reduction across the entire supply chain. In product LCA develop projects to help in GHG reduction. In collaboration with SuMPO (Sustainable Management Promotion Organization) which is Japan's only ISO-based carbon footprint certification body, we have developed LCA Plus, a platform that enables the visualization of product LCA throughout the supply chain.
  • ZERO HUNGER
  • RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Lifestyle Food Trading We will contribute to the safe and secure procurement of food, and a sustainable and stable food supply. Thoroughly disseminate our sustainable supply chain policy and, if necessary, formulate individual procurement policies and goals based on this policy, and aim to achieve them. Monitor the implementation status of each Procurement Policy for Specific Commodities.
  • Our Sustainable Supply Chain Policy has been sent to all suppliers and made known.
  • We have created an individual procurement policy for palm oil, which is recognized as a product that has a significant environmental and social impact.
  • ZERO HUNGER
  • RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Lifestyle Retail Food retail We will contribute to the safe and secure procurement of food, also a sustainable and stable food supply. Thoroughly disseminate our sustainable supply chain policy and, if necessary, formulate individual procurement policies and goals based on this policy, and aim to achieve them. Monitor the implementation status of each Procurement Policy for Specific Commodities.
  • Our Sustainable Supply Chain Policy has been sent to all suppliers and been made known.
  • We have created an individual procurement policy for palm oil, which is recognized as a product that has a significant environmental and social impact.
  • GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
  • RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Lifestyle Wellness Contract food services Based on the promotion of health management to curb domestic medical expenses and the growing awareness of people's health, we will help people to achieve a level of health in line with their life stage, by providing a stable supply of food that will support physical and mental wellbeing. Achieve a stable supply of safe and secure food with consideration for reduction of food loss, sustainability and traceability.
  • Actively use foods that take sustainability into consideration (sustainable foods).
  • Increase efforts to achieve local production for local consumption, to improve supply capacity.
  • Reduce food waste by supplying cooking plans for high-quality, traceable food.
  • Despite the effects of the spread of COVID-19, we are helping achieve stable food supplies by providing free special menus to medical institutions.
  • We are implementing local production for local consumption in collaboration with Miyazaki, Miyagi, and Akita prefectures to utilize ingredients that will lead to regional economic development. We have obtained MSC/ASC CoC certification(*1), the first for a food supply business in Japan. We also provide sustainable fishery products (sustainable seafood) at some facilities.
  • We have obtained Rainforest Alliance certification(*2) for production, distribution, and processing processes at our own factory to improve traceability. We offer products using 100% coffee beans produced by certified farms.
  • We are conducting food procurement and menu planning to control food loss using AIM Services' original menu planning system.

  • *1. MSC certification is a certification system for sustainable fisheries that is properly managed in consideration of fishery resources and the environment. ASC certification certifies aquaculture which is approved by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and minimizes the environmental and social burden. MSC/ASC CoC certification ensures that these certified fish products are properly managed and traceable in all processes of manufacturing, processing and distribution.
    *2. Certification of the control standards for production, distribution, and processing at our own food preparation facilities.