AGC Group Company PT Asahimas Chemical Achieves ISCC PLUS Certification, Marking a Major Sustainability Milestone in Southeast Asia
AGC Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President: Yoshinori Hirai) (TOKYO: 5201), a global leader in glass, chemicals, and advanced materials, proudly announces that one of its key group companies in Southeast Asia, PT Asahimas Chemical (ASC), has obtained the ISCC PLUS Certification—a globally recognized sustainability certification system. This major achievement signifies AGC’s accelerating commitment to sustainable business practices and responsible resource management throughout its international operations.
PT Asahimas Chemical, headquartered in Indonesia, is a critical production and supply hub within AGC’s Chemical Segment. The newly acquired ISCC PLUS Certification confirms that ASC has implemented a robust and traceable system for handling biomass-derived and renewable raw materials. These materials are processed in a manner that aligns with strict sustainability standards across the entire supply chain—from raw material procurement through to final product delivery.
What Is ISCC PLUS?
The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system is a globally applicable framework that certifies biomass and circular materials in various industries, including food, feed, energy, and chemicals. ISCC PLUS is an extension of the ISCC family that targets non-energy sectors, especially focusing on chemicals, plastics, packaging, textiles, and consumer goods. The certification ensures that sustainable raw materials are used responsibly and that traceability is maintained across the supply chain.
To be ISCC PLUS-certified, a company must demonstrate full compliance with environmental, social, and traceability criteria. It must also implement a mass balance approach that ensures the accounting of certified materials at each stage of production and distribution. By receiving this certification, ASC confirms it has met these high standards and can now offer certified sustainable products with verified traceability.
Products Now Covered Under the Certification
With the successful certification, ASC is now authorized to produce and distribute ISCC PLUS-certified products, including:
- Caustic Soda
- Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM)
- Polyvinyl Chloride Resin (PVC)
These products, foundational in various manufacturing industries such as construction, automotive, and consumer goods, can now be offered with assurance that their production contributes to a more sustainable global economy. The ISCC PLUS certification enhances ASC’s product portfolio by allowing the company to cater to clients that prioritize environmental responsibility and adherence to international sustainability standards.
The certification also enables ASC to partner more effectively with businesses focused on reducing their carbon footprint. As sustainability increasingly becomes a purchasing criterion for global customers, offering ISCC PLUS-certified chemicals provides AGC with a competitive advantage in both emerging and mature markets.
A Strategic Move Aligned With AGC’s Vision 2030
This milestone is part of AGC Group’s broader vision for the future. Under its long-term management strategy “Vision 2030,” the Group has placed “Sustainability Management” at the core of its business operations. This strategy outlines a path to growth that harmonizes economic development with environmental responsibility, aiming to realize a sustainable society while maintaining corporate resilience.
AGC’s Vision 2030 has several pillars, and one of the most critical is its effort to reduce environmental impact across the value chain. The company intends to achieve this by:
- Promoting the use of renewable and low-carbon raw materials.
- Enhancing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Developing products and technologies that help customers lower their own environmental impact.
- Increasing the circularity of resources by encouraging recycling and reuse wherever possible.
By integrating ISCC PLUS-certified materials into its supply chain, ASC is not only contributing to these corporate goals but also setting an example for other AGC subsidiaries and partners around the world.
Expanding Market Demand for Sustainable Materials
In recent years, market expectations for sustainability have increased dramatically. From regulatory bodies and governments to consumers and end users, the demand for environmentally responsible products and transparent supply chains has never been greater. Industries that rely heavily on chemicals, such as plastics, construction, textiles, and automotive manufacturing, are under pressure to decarbonize and shift towards renewable feedstocks.
AGC’s move to certify ASC’s chemical products positions the company ahead of regulatory trends and market dynamics. It allows AGC to meet the evolving needs of its customers—particularly those that have made sustainability commitments under global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) strategies.
By enabling the delivery of certified sustainable products, AGC not only supports its customers’ goals but also contributes to broader industry efforts to create climate-resilient and resource-efficient production systems.
Ensuring Transparency and Traceability
One of the key benefits of ISCC PLUS Certification is its focus on traceability—the ability to track sustainable materials throughout the production process and supply chain. For companies like ASC, this means implementing a mass balance system, where certified materials are recorded, balanced, and reported in alignment with the amount of certified product output.
This system allows ASC to demonstrate that every kilogram of certified product can be traced back to a corresponding amount of certified input material. It ensures transparency, accountability, and compliance with international regulations and audit processes.
This level of detail builds trust with stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, investors, and customers, and confirms that AGC is operating not just in compliance with the law, but as a proactive leader in sustainable manufacturing.
