Kirin
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JPN |
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Food, beverage, alcohol and pharmaceuticals manufacturer
Kirin's main businesses include alcohol, soft drinks, pharmaceuticals and food. Japan's largest brewer. Kirin bought Australian dairy & juice company National Foods in 2007, and Dairy Farmers in late 2008, and the 54% of Lion Nathan (Australia's #2 brewer) it didn't already own in 2009. While Kirin is an independent company, it is part of Japan's largest "keiretsu", Mitsubishi Group.
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd | JPN | website |
Company Assessment
PRAISE | CRITICISM | INFORMATION | ||
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd | ||||
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of A.
Source: CDP (2022)
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of A.
Source: CDP (2022)
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Good" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA (2023)
The 2021 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #31/350, with a total score of 41/100.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2021) |
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 32/100 in the Beverages category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 23 Sep 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2022) |
From Dec 2018 to Feb 2021 Kirin appeared on Burma Campaign UK's 'Dirty List' of companies assisting the Burmese military to continue to commit human rights violations and environmental destruction. In Burma Kirin was in a joint venture, Myanmar Breweries, with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, which is controlled by and for the benefit of the military. This subsidiary has also donated money to the Burmese military. Kirin announced they would end their relationship with the Myanmar military after it staged a coup in Feb 2021.
Source: Burma Campaign UK (2021)
This company received a score of 49.8/100 in the Newsweek Green Rankings 2012, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on their environmental footprint, management (policies, programs, initiatives, controversies) and reporting practices, using data from Trucost and Sustainalytics.
Source: Newsweek (2012)
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)
This company holds Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification, and sells products certified as FSC Mix and FSC Recycled.
Source: FSC (2023)
This company is a member of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. IARD is affiliated with the United Nations.
Source: IARD (2021)
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
Source: UN Global Compact (2020)
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website (2020)
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 22.7%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2022)
USA biotech company Hematech Inc. genetically modify cattle for human antibody production. Hematech was previously a subsidiary of Kirin's pharmaceutical division (Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co) until Dec 2012 when it was acquired by Sanford Health and rebranded Sanford Applied Biosciences, LLC.
Source: company website (2012) |
Company Details
Type | Public company |
Revenue | 18.6 billion USD (2019) |
Employees | 31,437 (2019) |
Subsidiaries | Lion Pty Ltd ![]() Beverages Through a series of mergers and acquisitions between 2002 and 2009, this company became Australia's largest dairy company, largest juice company and second largest brewery. Owned by Japan's Kirin since 2007. Sold its dairy and juice business to Bega Cheese in 2021. - Lion Beer, Spirits & Wine Pty Ltd ![]() Alcoholic beverages, especially beer Australia's largest brewer. Formerly known as Lion Nathan Australia. Kirin Holdings of Japan bought the 54% of Lion Nathan it didn't already own in 2009, and then merged it with National Foods to create Lion Nathan National Foods, which became Lion in 2011. - Lion Beer, Spirits & Wine NZ ![]() Alcoholic beverages New Zealand's largest alcohol beverage company. Formerly known as Lion Nathan NZ. - Healesville Distilling Pty Ltd ![]() Craft gin distillery Four Pillars is a small Australian distillery established in Healesville, VIC in 2013. Beverage giant Lion bought a 50% stake in 2019, and the remaining 50% in 2023. - Lion Little World Beverages ![]() Alcoholic beverages, especially craft beer Established in 2015 to focus on growing a portfolio of craft beer in new markets outside Australia, NZ and Japan. They also operate a wine business in USA. Acquired USA's fourth largest craft beer brewery, New Belgium Brewing in 2019, and a second US craft brewery, Bell's Brewery, in 2021. Sold its UK operations in 2022. - Fermentum Pty Ltd ![]() Craft breweries Founded in Byron Bay in 2008. Holding company for a few craft breweries including Stone & Wood and Two Birds. Acquired by Kirin-owned Lion in 2021. In 2023 Two Birds was discontinued and the brewery closed. Blackmores Ltd ![]() Health supplements Founded in Brisbane in 1930 and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1985. Operates in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Acquired by Japanese drinks giant Kirin in 2023. San Miguel Brewery Inc (48% owned) ![]() Brewer Philippines largest beer company, with a 95% market share. San Miguel Brewery Inc. was spun off from San Miguel Corporation in October, 2007. In 2009, Kirin Holdings Co. Ltd. of Japan bought 48.3% of the company from SMC. - San Miguel Brewing International Ltd ![]() Beer Kirin Brewery Company Ltd ![]() Alcoholic beverages |
Contact Details
Address | Tokyo, Japan |
Website | www.kirinholdings.co.jp/english/ |
Products / Brands
Lion Beer Australia
5 Seeds Cider
Amstel Beer Birra Moretti Beer Blue Bitter Beer Boag's Beer Emu Beer Eumundi Lager Beer Furphy Beer Guinness Beer Hahn Beer Heineken Beer Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Ice Beer Beer Iron Jack Beer James Boag's Beer James Squire Beer James Squire Cider James Squire Zero Non-Alcoholic Kilkenny Beer |
Kirin Beer
Kirin Cider Knappstein Beer Kosciuszko Beer Little Creatures Beer Orchard Crush Cider Pipsqueak Cider Red Bitter Beer Rogers Beer Southwark Beer Summer Bright Beer Swan Beer TED Beer Tooheys Beer West End Beer White Rabbit Beer Wizard Smith's Beer XXXX Beer |
Lion New Zealand
Speights Beer (imported)
Steinlager Beer (imported) |
Four Pillars
Four Pillars Gin
Four Pillars Premix Spirits |
Fermentum
Blackmores
Blackmores Vitamins Blackmores Baby Formula |
San Miguel Brewing Intl
San Miguel Beer (imported)
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