The origins of Sumitomo Chemical can be traced back to 1913, whenthe company used sulfur dioxide emissions from a copper mine in theShikoku region of Japan to produce calcium superphosphatefertilisers. In addition to helping preserve the environment by preventing theemission of pollutants, the company was thereby also able tocontribute toward increasing the harvest of agricultural products.Sumitomo Chemical thus found its start with the solving ofenvironmental problems and the goal of improving livingstandards.Although Sumitomo Chemical has diversified its operations over theyears to keep abreast of the changing times, the company maintainsthe basic policy that its operations must not only profit itselfbut must also benefit society at large.Today, the Sumitomo Chemical Group employs 24,600 people in 135subsidiaries and 67 affiliates operating around the world. Thecompany invests heavily in research and development, holding thepatents for some of the worldâs most advanced petrochemicaltechnology. Â