Shin-Etsu

Shin-Etsu Chemical is one of the largest chemical companies in Japan. The company produces and distributes synthetic resins and other chemical products such as fertilisers. Shin-Etsu also manufactures electronic materials such as semiconductor silicon and synthetic and rare earth quartz. Its US-based subsidiary – Shintech – is the world’s largest producer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Total score

13 / 48

Grade summary

Shin-Etsu produces five SIN List substances (including two persistent chemicals), three of which are officially recognised as chemicals of high concern by the EU. However, data is available for less than one fifth of Shin-Etsu’s production, as the…

Product Portfolio

3 / 18

Shin-Etsu Chemical produces five SIN List substances, three of which are included on the REACH Candidate List and one of which is also found on the REACH Authorisation List. The Japanese company produces two persistent chemicals. Persistent chemicals are particularly problematic since they do not break down, but instead accumulate in humans and/or the environment. Because of this, persistent chemicals should be of extra concern for investors. Substances which are not considered a problem today could become huge liabilities in the future.

Development of Safer Chemicals

1 / 12

Shin-Etsu Chemical does not have a method in place to screen and assess the sustainability of its products and, therefore, does not investigate the intrinsic hazards of ingredients. The company does not make use of the GreenScreen assessment tool nor does it follow the principles of green chemistry or exclude substances with toxic properties from new products. The company does, however, actively market safer alternatives on its website.

Management & Transparency

3 / 12

The company shares chemical safety information on its website but does not have a phase-out strategy for hazardous substances. Shin-Etsu is a member of Responsible Care and follows a Code of Conduct.