Sustainability Activities
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES REPORT
Introduction
We live in an era when companies are strongly called upon to take concrete actions on environmental challenges such as carbon neutrality and resource circulation. Environmental stewardship has become an essential condition for maintaining long-term trust.
In 2024, our company celebrated its 75th anniversary as a specialized technical trading firm. With roots in the United Kingdom, we have served as a “catalyst,” connecting suppliers and customers through advanced technologies and delivering value from Europe and North America to Asia. Going forward, precisely because we are a trading company without our own factories, we will leverage our cross-industry and cross-regional network and proposal capabilities to promote the adoption of environmentally responsive products, aiming to enhance environmental value across the entire supply chain.
Furthermore, in our own operations, we will continue striving for the ongoing improvement of our Environmental Management System while engaging in activities that drive social sustainability.
We appreciate your continued understanding and support of the AR Brown Group’s initiatives.
Management philosophy:
“Having adventurer spirit in mind, through trading activities with cutting-edged technologies, contribute to new value creation”W
AR Brown Co., Ltd. Environmental Policy
Our corporate philosophy is to contribute to the creation of new value through cutting-edge trading activities. As a specialized technical trading company, we recognize our role in preserving the global environment and, in accordance with the following policies, we will contribute to realizing a sustainable and prosperous society:
- Continual improve our Environmental Management System.
- Comply with environmental laws, regulations, ordinances, agreements, and other requirements to which we adhere.
- Actively promote the sale of environmentally responsive products.
- Effectively utilize the latest information equipment and systems.
- Communicate this environmental declaration to all employees and make it available to the public.
To achieve these policies, we will set targets and regularly review them and advance our Environmental Management System.
June 1, 2024
AR Brown Co., Ltd.
President Hirotaka Shimada
Reporting Organization & Business Scope
Reporting Locations
TOKYO
Address
Ginza Mitsui Bldg., 13-1, Ginza 8-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
OSAKA
Address
Grand Front Osaka Tower B 16F, 3-1 Ofukacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0011
NAGOYA
Address
NBF NAGOYA HIROKOJI Bldg., 3-6, Sakae 2-chome, Naka-ku,Nagoya 460-0008
Changes in Business Environment
Electricity
Compared with 2019, electricity consumption increased by 17%, yet CO2 emissions were reduced by 64%
Initiatives:
Participated in building energy-saving programs, including the use of green electricity.
Made green power initiatives as one of the selection criteria when relocating for office expansion.
Improved work efficiency and productivity through workstyle reforms and digital transformation (DX).
Aiming for Carbon Neutrality
HumiSeal® Manufacturing Plant Starts Solar Power Generation to Achieve Carbon Neutrality
In October 2024, our Electronic Materials Department launched a new solar power generation system at one of our domestic HumiSeal® manufacturing plants.
As part of our commitment to achieve carbon neutrality across our entire supply chain, we invested in solar power generation equipment. The installed solar modules have a capacity of approximately 154 kW and are expected to generate about 150,000 kWh annually.
This initiative is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 70 tons per year.※(*Estimated based on a simulation conducted at the time of installation.)
We will continue to work with our customers who use HumiSeal® products and all stakeholders to improve environmental value throughout the entire supply chain.
Paper
Compared with 2019, we reduced printer output by 60%
Initiatives:
Eliminated paper output for incoming FAX and switched to electronic data.
Digitalized slip outputs from the core system, eliminating paper use.
Migrated invoice exchanges from paper to electronic data, achieving paperless operations.
Waste
Compared with 2019, we reduced waste emissions by 59%
Initiatives:
Promoted proper inventory management within business divisions to suppress product disposal.
Enforced thorough workplace organization and tidiness.
【Social Contribution】Support for environmental projects using the Corporate ‘Furusato Nozei’ program
This project aims to harness untapped energy by promoting H-UCG (Hybrid Underground Coal Gasification), which combines traditional coal gasification with subsurface conversion. CO2 generated during hydrogen production is sequestered for agricultural use or stored via CCUS in underground and surface reservoirs—leveraging carbon capture, utilization, and storage—to both utilize local resources and foster new industries.
Ongoing donations since 2023.
Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
Corporate ‘Furusato Nozei’ – Shunan City, Yamaguchi
Green Biomass Production Model Project
Transitioning municipal forests of sugi (cedar) and hinoki (cypress) from conventional mature-tree harvesting to fast-growing varieties, this project establishes a low-cost, circular forest resource model to promote wood biomass utilization, enhance industrialization, increase CO2 sequestration through forest management, and balance forestry development with carbon neutrality.
Ongoing donations since 2022.
Blue Carbon Promotion Project
Through the conservation of tidal flats, this initiative seeks to expand blue carbon ecosystems—marine habitats that absorb and store CO2. It advances marine environmental protection, regional economic revitalization, and raises blue carbon awareness, centered around the Ōshima–Chishima area.
Ongoing donations since 2024.
Setouchi Town, Kagoshima Prefecture
Ōshima Strait Zero-Carbon Promotion Project - Setouchi Town, Kagoshima Prefecture
Ōshima Strait Zero-Carbon Promotion Project
Declaring a goal of net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2025, Setouchi Town—renowned for its pristine environment—has launched a fisher-led zero-carbon initiative leveraging blue carbon through seaweed cultivation and mangrove planting in the Ōshima Strait. In collaboration with fisheries stakeholders, the project develops marine spawning and nursery grounds to enrich the marine ecosystem. Additionally, approximately 800 mangrove saplings have been planted in the Kojimase area as blue carbon stock, contributing to biodiversity conservation and CO₂ sequestration.
A donation was made in 2025.
Social Contribution — Voluntary Environmental Activities by Employees
Beautification of Local Communities
We joined the cleanup efforts of the non-profit organization greenbird.
We will continue to participate in community clean-up events in FY2025 as part of our efforts to contribute to urban beautification.
Tokyo Headquarters
In November 2024, eight employees from the Tokyo Headquarters participated in the green bird clean-up initiative, cleaning the Omotesando area of Shibuya.
Osaka Branch
In March 2025, four employees from the Osaka Branch cleaned the Umeda district in Osaka City.
Contribution to Marine Ecosystem Conservation
AR BROWN (THAILAND) Co., Ltd.
At AR BROWN (THAILAND) Co., Ltd., eight employees assisted in cleaning multiple pools at the Turtles Conservation Center, supporting the healthy growth of baby sea turtles.
Employee-Led Social Contribution Activities
AR Brown Group is also engaged in social contribution activities beyond the environmental field. Below is a summary of the projects we have consistently undertaken and plan to continue into fiscal year 2025.
Support for Children
AR BROWN Co., Ltd.
We participated in BOOK Santa, selecting and donating 1,000 books of 91 different titles.
AR BROWN (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
In Shanghai, a public welfare foundation provided free surgery and medical care for 11 seriously ill children from Daguan County, Zhaotong, Yunnan. During this time, three of our employees delivered daily necessities to the children. Our goal was to help them feel more at ease throughout their treatment.
Preserving the Cultural Value of the Meiji Maru, an Important Cultural Property
AR BROWN Co., Ltd.
The Meiji Maru, which is our company’s roots, and our management philosophy, is a valuable cultural asset. Through guided volunteer and operational support activities at the Meiji Maru Museum, our employees are actively working to pass on this precious cultural value to the next generation.
AR Brown Co., Ltd. Environmental Contribution Activities Report
Publication Date: May 1, 2025
Issued & Inquiries: AR Brown Co., Ltd.
Quality Management Office