| Invested through |
|
|---|---|
| Asset Classes | Listed equity |
| Impact strategy | Impact Equities and Bonds |
| ISIN code | JP3371200001 |
| Industry group | Materials |
| Aligned with SDGs |
Shin-Etsu Chemical is a Japanese producer of PVC, silicones, and specialty chemicals. Silicones for the semiconductor industry account for 35% of total revenues, salt-based PVC products 23%, electronics materials 17%, medical and industrial silicone products 15%, and specialty chemicals account for the remaining 10%. Shin-Etsu is the global market leader in silicon wafers for the development and production of semiconductor devices. PVC products include water and sewage pipes, electric wiring coatings, window frames, and raw materials for soaps, detergents, diapers, and other hygienic products. The company is the global leader in rare earth magnets. Silicone products are used in contact lenses, cosmetics, ion-lithium batteries, and are also widely used as waterproof sealing material on glass windows of buildings and houses. Shin-Etsu Chemical was founded in 1926 and currently employs 23,000 people, of which 14,000 outside Japan. Corporate headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan.
Investment rationale
A wide variety of Shin-Etsu's products helps other companies develop and manufacture sustainable products.
As the global leader in high purity silicon wafers Shin-Etsu is a major supplier to the semiconductor industry. With products like rare earth magnets, separators and anode materials for ion-lithium batteries, Shin-Etsu contributes to the development of electric vehicles. Silicon materials are used in LED lighting, solar power generation and in tires to reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel efficiency. Silicones are also used in contact lenses to provide oxygen permeability.
Compared to alternative resins salt-based PVC of Shin-Etsu has a low dependence on petroleum products and requires 40% less energy in the production process. Furthermore, PVC is easy to recycle.
Alignment with Triodos Transitions:
36% of the revenues of the company is aligned with one or more Triodos Transitions. 17% of revenues is aligned with the Resource Transition, 13% of revenues is aligned with the Wellbeing Transition and 6% of revenues is aligned with the Energy Transition.
The contribution to the Wellbeing Transition comes from 11% of revenues related to the impact objective Safety & Security, and 3% of revenues related to the impact objective Health Care. The contribution to the Resource Transition comes from 17% of revenues related to the impact objective Sustainable Water & Wastewater Management. The contribution to the Energy Transition comes from 5% of revenues related to the impact objective Renewable Energy, and 1% of revenues related to Clean Transport.