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Kirin

OVERALL

Owned
JPN
Rating
Praises, some criticism

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   email      

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of A
In 2021, 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 (2021)
Social CDP Water Security Score of A
In 2021, 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 (2021)
Business Ethics 41% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
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)
Business Ethics 32/100 S&P Global ESG Score
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)
Social Previous involvement with Burma
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)
Business Ethics 49.8% in Newsweek Green Rankings 2012
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)
Environment Climate action commitments
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)
Environment FSC certification
This company holds Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification, and sells products certified as FSC Mix and FSC Recycled.
Source: FSC (2017)
Social IARD member
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)
Business Ethics CSV claims
This company has Creating Shared Value claims on its website
Source: company website (2015)
Business Ethics UN Global Compact participant
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)
Social 22.7% in Human Rights Benchmark
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)
Social Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website (2020)
Animals Genetic Engineering & Animal Rights
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)

> About the Icons

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 (50% owned) 

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, with the three founders retaining the other 50%.


  - 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.


  - Fermentum Pty Ltd 

Founded in Byron Bay in 2008. Holding company for a few craft breweries including Stone & Wood. Acquired by Kirin-owned Lion in 2021.


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 (50% owned)
Four Pillars Gin
Four Pillars Premix Spirits

Fermentum
Chirpy Seltzer
Fixation Beer
Little Dragon Beer
Two Birds Beer

San Miguel Brewing Intl
San Miguel Beer (imported)


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