Grade summary

Mitsui Chemical receives a C- score in ChemScore 2023. Mitsui Chemical produces only one SIN List substance, but only 13 per cent of its global production is known, which significantly impacts its score. The company engages with stakeholders but lacks a clear commitment to reduce hazardous chemicals. The company conducts environmental impact assessments and aims to reduce the use of chemicals of concern but clear phase-out plans are missing. It offers some eco-friendly product lines but does not advertise safer alternatives on ChemSec’s Marketplace.

Mitsui Chemical’s circular initiatives lack concrete KPIs, which makes it difficult to assess the company’s level of ambition. The company must provide clearer commitments and phase-out plans for hazardous chemicals and improve transparency in its circular efforts.

How did we come to this score?

Opportunities for improvement

1. Market safer alternatives
   Mitsui Chemical does not have any safer alternatives evaluated by independent third parties in its product portfolio. Safer alternatives replace the use of hazardous substances and are crucial in order to put an end to chemical pollution. The company should, therefore, start producing safer alternatives or market existing ones on an independent third-party platform. A good place to advertise is ChemSec’s Marketplace, where buyers and suppliers can find and market safer alternatives.

2. Increase transparency
   Much is still unknown about Mitsui Chemical‘s production of hazardous chemicals. At least when it comes to public information. In order to allow a comprehensive global evaluation, Mitsui Chemical should disclose the share of revenue and production volume of hazardous chemicals (or products that contain them). This information should cover all operations globally. This is particularly important since only 13 % of the company’s sales are in the EU/US, where some degree of chemical transparency exists.

3. Prevent further controversies
   Over the last five years, Mitsui Chemical has been involved in incidents leading to fatalities and should re-design or dramatically improve its Environment, Health and Safety strategy. This would help the company to better avoid incidents and make sure that controls – functioning even when human errors occur – are in place. If an accident or spill should happen, it is important that Mitsui Chemical identifies the cause and publishes a document on strategies that will be implemented to avoid similar occurrences in the future. It is possible to prevent human suffering and environmental pollution when producing chemicals, but it requires a thorough Environment, Health and Safety system.

Category breakdown