Kuraray Europe GmbH Sustainability Blog “We want to be prepared” – Sustainability as a strategic success factor
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How Kuraray is preparing for future requirements today – through circular economy-oriented products, ISCC PLUS certification, and active engagement in initiatives such as the Renewable Carbon Initiative.
More than 100 years after its founding and 35 years after establishing a presence in Europe, Kuraray continues to follow a clear guiding principle: combining economic success with responsibility for society and the environment. Today, sustainability is firmly embedded as one of the company’s three strategic pillars – alongside innovation and digitalization – and is increasingly shaping everyday business decisions.
»Sustainability is not an add-on for us. It is a key lever for continuously evolving our products, processes, and business models with a view to the future.«
Dr. Jörg Schappel
Director Safety, Health & Sustainability at Kuraray Europe
»Our goal is to be prepared when demand for bio-based and resource-efficient solutions
picks up again.«
Dr. Anja Laqua
Senior Manager Sustainability & Corporate Sustainable Procurement and
Member of the Board of the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RC)
At Kuraray, sustainability, innovation, and digitalization are closely interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Innovation drives the development of more environmentally friendly solutions, digitalization enhances efficiency and transparency, and sustainability provides the strategic direction.
This approach is reflected in products such as biodegradable starch-based materials and water-soluble polymers for packaging and coatings. At the same time, Kuraray is continuously working to improve the sustainability performance of its products across the entire lifecycle – for example through chemical recycling technologies and the use of recycled feedstocks in line with circular economy principles.
Digital tools play a key role in making progress measurable. In addition to financial indicators, Kuraray increasingly tracks CO2 emissions and other environmental metrics. This enables targeted reduction measures and provides customers with transparent, reliable information.
Market developments currently present a differentiated picture. In industries closer to end consumers, demand for CO2 data and lifecycle assessments is growing significantly. In other sectors, however, cost pressures and economic challenges remain dominant.
“In times of economic uncertainty, the focus shifts more strongly toward profitability,” says Jörg Schappel. “Across industries, we see that some sustainability initiatives are being delayed.”
Against this backdrop, Kuraray continues to set clear priorities and invest in essential long-term capabilities. These include expanding CO2 and LCA data, strengthening sustainable supply chains, and supporting sales and marketing with robust environmental information.
To meet future regulatory and market requirements, Kuraray is systematically building the necessary structures – particularly through the mass balance approach and ISCC PLUS certification.
The mass balance approach enables the use of bio-based or recycled raw materials alongside fossil-based inputs within existing production systems, with their share allocated on a calculated basis. This ensures traceability and transparency regarding the proportion of sustainable feedstocks.
“The ISCC PLUS certification is primarily of strategic importance. It provides the foundation for transparently attributing sustainable raw materials along the entire value chain.”
Dr. Jörg Schappel • Director Safety, Health & Sustainability at Kuraray Europe
Kuraray has already established certified supply chains across multiple sites, positioning the company well for future regulatory developments and evolving market expectations.
Further information on mass balance and ISCC PLUS at Kuraray is available here:
In addition to internal initiatives, Kuraray places strong emphasis on collaboration. Since 2023, the company has been a member of the Renewable Carbon Initiative, which promotes the transition from fossil-based to renewable carbon sources.
"The initiative combines technical exchange with policy dialogue. We actively contribute our perspectives and work together to further develop common positions.”
Dr. Anja Laqua • Senior Manager Sustainability & Corporate Sustainable Procurement and Member of the Board of the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RC)
Since the end of 2025, she has also been serving on the RCI Board. Current focus areas include improving the comparability of sustainability metrics and advancing the regulatory recognition of the mass balance approach.
Further information on the Renewable Carbon Initiative is available here:
Europe continues to play a leading role in shaping environmental and climate regulation. New legislative frameworks are increasing requirements for transparency and product design.
One example is the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will introduce stricter criteria for recyclability, recycled content, and waste reduction. For Kuraray, this reinforces the importance of advancing solutions in design for recycling, circular economy concepts, and sustainable raw materials.
“As a European subsidiary, we are close to these developments. We translate them into concrete areas of action and contribute this perspective to our global strategy.”
Dr. Anja Laqua • Senior Manager Sustainability & Corporate Sustainable Procurement and Member of the Board of the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RC)
For Kuraray, sustainability remains both a long-term commitment and an integral part of daily business. While not every initiative can be implemented immediately, the direction is clear: to be prepared as market conditions and regulatory requirements continue to evolve.
If you would like to learn more about circular economy approaches, mass balance, or ISCC PLUS, or discuss the impact of new regulations such as the PPWR on your materials, the Sustainability team at Kuraray Europe looks forward to engaging with you.
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