Next Generation

Targeting communities where the children who will form the next generation can develop and healthily grow into adulthood, we are implementing career educational programs for elementary, middle and high school as well as tertiary students that leverage the characteristics of our business activities. This initiative is being conducted for children to acquire the knowledge, skills, and approaches that will lead to them living independent lives as members of society. SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group is advancing a wide range of activities such as field trip lessons that include science classes given by Company employees as well as online classes to learn about the SDGs through the Company’s products and manufacturing.

SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group prepares educational materials to help junior high school students learn about the SDGs. Utilizing these materials, the Group conducts online classes that cover efforts to solve social issues through products that enhance sustainability.
Taking into consideration prevailing conditions including the government’s statement clarifying the need to nurture pioneers who will help create a sustainable society, the new training course guidelines implemented in earnest from fiscal 2020 identified the goal of fostering SDG leaders from the field of education. As a result, content related to the SDGs is now included in various subjects in elementary and junior high schools, as well as high schools throughout Japan.
Meanwhile, SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group is working diligently to realize a sustainable society that achieves the SDGs through the creation and market expansion of Products to Enhance Sustainability that provide a significant contribution to solving social issues. Taking advantage of our unique knowledge and experience, we have prepared SDG educational materials that can be used in school classes, with the aim of improving the next generation’s knowledge and ability to take action to solve problems to create a sustainable society, under the theme of the SDGs, for which there is a growing need in schools. As a manufacturing company, the educational materials convey our contribution to solving social issues through sustainable products.
As a preparatory step in supporting school education that address concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted online classes at two schools on a test case basis during the current fiscal year. Looking ahead, we plan to develop this activity as a new Group program of social contribution activities.
As identified under Vision 2030, we support the basis of LIFE and will continue to create peace of mind for the future, in order to realize a sustainable society. To this end, SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group is supporting education of the next generation who will build the future through the aforementioned and other activities.

Shikoku Sekisui Co., Ltd. held a science class for first-year students of Saijo Municipal Nishi Junior High School in Ehime Prefecture. An annual event since 2009, this initiative was suspended last year due to the pandemic. This year, 66 students and seven teachers visited Shikoku Sekisui for a 2.5-hour program that included company presentations, classes, and a factory tour.
On the topic pf distinguishing items, one class called on participants to examine cups made from four different materials (glass, plastic, paper, and metal) and ask: “Where are these cups used?” and “What properties are applied?” An experiment to investigate the properties of plastic was also held. Four kinds of plastic pieces that looked the same were prepared. Students conducted two experiments: one to examine the density of plastic by floating it in water, and another to observe combustion by burning test plastic pieces. Results were then recorded on tablets.
In conclusion, students looked at how to make plastic products and then participated in a factory tour. Based on a comparison with how to make chocolate, student were provided with an explanation of injection molding, one of Shikoku Sekisui’s main manufacturing methods. The tour encompassed every facet of the manufacturing process up to the final product.
Working with local residents, Shikoku Sekisui hopes to continue this activity in the future.

Endorsing the concept of SDG learning events for senior high school students, SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group once again participated as a sponsor and lecturer while also providing learnings materials to the SB Student Ambassador block competition in similar fashion to 2020.
This event is hosted by the Japan Chapter of SB Forum, which operates one of the world’s largest and most visited websites on sustainability.
In addition to deepening the knowledge of high school students, the future leaders of the next generation, on the latest sustainability initiatives, this event serves as a forum for students to share their values and what they want from society, and work toward the co-creation of a sustainable society.
High school students participating in this event learn about the SDGs through keynote speeches by the Company and workshops.
SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group conducts lectures and workshops that encourage participants to think about solving social issues throughout the life cycle of its products. Each initiative was acknowledged favorably with participating high school students commenting: “I was particularly interested in the fact that the Company is backcasting toward 2030 and 2050, considering business goals and processes in detail, while working to achieve the SDGs not only in their products, but also in manufacturing process.” Other comments included: “I was surprised at the safety and environmental friendliness of familiar items such as sewage pipes and sustainable home construction.”
SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group will continue to support the education of the next generation who are responsible for building the future based on the knowledge and experience gained from solving social issues through its products.

SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group also engages in efforts to nurture the next generation at its overseas Group sites.

Ten students from the Southern Columbia School District visited SEKISUI KYDEX for a video shoot on the theme “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing.”
Students were provided with an explanation about future careers in the manufacturing industry while participating in a tour of the plant. This initiative was an opportunity to educate students about monozukuri.