Grade summary

Nitto Denko scores two points less than last year, dropping from place 21 to 32 in the ranking. Although the company has no hazardous substances in its product portfolio, we only have information about nine percent of Nitto Denko’s production – the revenue from EU and US markets, where information is available in public records. Due to this low transparency regarding chemical content, the company scores poorly in the Product Portfolio category. Nitto Denko’s performance is low in the following two categories as well; the company doesn’t assess the environmental impact of its products, lacks a clear strategy for phasing out hazardous substances, and doesn’t offer a circular product or process. It is, however, developing self-proclaimed eco-friendly products, for example a double-sided tape without organic solvents. Still, the only thing saving Nitto Denko from receiving a total score in the single digits is the fact that they have not been involved in any major controversies over the past decade.

How did we come to this score?

Opportunities for improvement

1. Increase transparency
   Not much is known about Nitto Denko’s production of hazardous chemicals. We have requested that the company disclose information about its chemicals management, but unlike last year, Nitto Denko has not responded to that request this time. In order to be more transparent, the company should disclose the full list of hazardous chemicals that it produces, including the volume of each of these chemicals as well as its percentage of the total revenue. It would also be wise to specify which chemicals are intended for end products and for intermediate use. Generally speaking, information about chemicals sold in EU and US markets is available through public records, which is not the case in other parts of the world. For that reason, Nitto Denko should make the details of its revenue generated outside of these regions public to ensure chemical transparency and allow for a comprehensive global evaluation.
2. Increase circularity
   The chemical industry finds itself at the beginning of the value chain. Therefore, it has a responsibility to act fast and ambitiously against the ever-growing scarcity of our planet’s resources. But Nitto Denko receives zero points for circularity, since we were unable to identify any circular products, processes or strategies. Nor did we see a decrease in hazardous waste or commenced/increased use of recycled hazard-free feedstock or biobased material. For these reasons, it is important that Nitto Denko starts by identifying its current production and use of circular products and processes, and then specifies how many percent of its total revenue comes from circular products. The company should also develop and present a strategy, which includes an activity plan, with clear indicators for how to expand the area of circular products and processes.
3. Market safer alternatives
   We did identify safer alternatives in Nitto Denkos product portfolio, but these are not marketed on any independent third-party platform. Therefore, they are hard to find for downstream users looking to substitute hazardous chemicals. A good place to advertise is ChemSec’s Marketplace, where buyers and suppliers can find and market safer alternatives.

Category breakdown