GRI Content Index

Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) Content Index

We are on an important journey related to our sustainability reporting metrics, with a mission of aligning with global reporting initiatives (GRI) standards. GRI is the most widely used set of standards for sustainability reporting worldwide. It helps organizations assess and take actions that create economic, environmental, and social benefits while providing a common global language to communicate progress and impacts.   

Please review the information below for an important framework designed to bring consistency, clarity, and rigor to our sustainability strategies, goal setting, performance monitoring, and reporting.

2-1 Organizational details
Valent Biosciences, is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical. See our website for leadership areas within the company. Please refer to the company’s website: https://www.valentbiosciences.com/about/.

Also check our parent company’s website at https://www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp/english/company/.

2-2 Entities included in the organization’s sustainability reporting
Valent BioSciences. Mycorrhizal Applications, and FBSciences Inc.

2-3 Reporting period, frequency and contact point
Data presented in this report relates to our 2025 fiscal year (April 01, 2025 to March 31, 2026) unless otherwise specified.

2-4 Restatements of information
Not applicable

2-5 External assurance
Consolidated with Sumitomo Chemical Group.

2-6 Activities, value chain and other business relationships
Valent BioSciences has partnerships with universities, research institutes, and pertinent associations. Examples are the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, EcoVadis, Field to Market.

2-7 Employees
Refer to 2025 Sustainability Report. Employee Safety, Employee Engagement and DEI. Approximately 340 employees are employed across Valent BioSciences.

2-8 Workers who are not employees
Approximately 3.6% of our workforce is contractors, who are either contracted through an agency or support us via our payroll (limited).

2-9 Governance structure and composition
The governance structure follows what is needed for an LLC, comprising of the senior leadership team, which operates under the oversight of the board of directors. https://www.valentbiosciences.com/leadership/

2-10 Nomination and selection of the highest governance body
The board of directors is selected by Sumitomo Chemical America, Inc. Other senior leadership team members are selected by the CEO in consultation with the board of directors.

2-11 Chair of the highest governance body
Nobuaki Mito

2-12 Role of the highest governance body in overseeing the management of impacts
The senior leadership team monitors all operations and is alerted when topics are not following our ethics and compliance codes. The CEO decides when a critical topic needs to be discussed with the board of directors.

2-13 Delegation of responsibility for managing impacts
Delegation of responsibility for managing impacts is structured based on the severity of the issue, starting with the board of directors for high-impact situations. For moderate impacts, the senior leadership team takes charge, while the management team handles day-to-day operations and corrective actions for lower-level impacts.

2-14 Role of the highest governance body in sustainability reporting
The senior leadership team reviews sustainability reports to ensure they align with the organization’s strategic goals and accurately reflect its environmental and social impacts. This review process helps validate the integrity and completeness of the reporting before it is finalized and presented to the board of directors and other stakeholders.

2-15 Conflicts of interest
Valent Group Code of Ethics (2023). 3. Conflict of Interest.

2-16 Communication of critical concerns
Valent Group Code of Ethics (2023). Speak Up Policy and Open Door Policy.

2-17 Collective knowledge of the highest governance body
Information Unavailable

2-18 Evaluation of the performance of the highest governance body
The performance of the senior executives is reviewed annually.

2-19 Remuneration policies
Valent group of companies has a Total Rewards program.

2-20 Process to determine remuneration
Established partnership with a leading global provider to utilize market compensation data for informed and competitive remuneration decision-making

2-21 Annual total compensation ratio
This is reviewed annually during merit planning.

2-22 Statement on sustainable development strategy
Refer to 2025 Sustainability Report: Sustainability Strategy

2-23 Policy commitments
The Valent group of companies has established clear and accessible policies for all employees, covering the code of ethics, guidelines for pay and time off, provisions for contingent workers, policies regarding leave of absence, procedures for sick time, regulations concerning substance abuse and testing, protocols for handling reasonable suspicion incidents, a structured profit-sharing plan, and a company bonus plan. These policies reflect the Valent group of companies’ commitment to transparency, fairness, and employee well-being across its operations. These are all in line with our parent company, Sumitomo Chemical Co.

2-24 Process to remediate negative impacts
The Group Company Compliance Officer, in collaboration with the Compliance Committee, is responsible for embedding policy commitments across the organization. This partnership ensures that regulatory standards are consistently met and that any compliance issues are effectively addressed.

2-25 Processes to remediate negative impacts
To remediate negative impacts, the Compliance Committee first reviews the details of the of violation.

2-26 Mechanisms for seeking advice and raising concerns
The Compliance Committee oversees mechanisms for seeking advice and raising concerns, ensuring that all negative impacts, including ethics violations and chemical exposure issues, are addressed. Employees can utilize various channels such as the “Open Door Policy” or the “Speak Up Policy” to raise concerns, with assurances that there will be no adverse consequences for those who report issues.

2-27 Compliance with laws and regulations
We are in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, ensuring that our operations adhere to legal and regulatory standards.

2-28 Membership associations
We are a member of the Biological Products Industry Alliance, CropLife America, Field to Market and International Platform for Insetting.

2-29 Approach to stakeholder engagement
Our approach to stakeholder engagement ensures that all public interactions are conducted in full compliance with external regulations and internal policies, maintaining transparency and upholding our organizational standards.

2-30 Collective bargaining agreements
None

3-1 Process to determine material topics
An internal materiality assessment was conducted reported in our 2024 report. Due to company structure changes announced in 2025, we will conduct a multi-stakeholder assessment in 2026.

3-2 List of material topics
Refer to 2025 Sustainability Report: Sustainability Reporting.

3-3 Management of material topics
Current improvements in company work efficiencies, R&D and manufacturing have been the focus to manage our material topics.

201-1 Direct economic value generated and distributed
Valent BioSciences’ financial results are consolidated into Sumitomo Chemical Co.’s overall financial results.

201-2 Financial implications and other risks and opportunities due to climate change
Climate change directly impacts agriculture, forestry, and public health, so it can potentially impact our business in a positive or negative way, depending on how plant diseases, pests, crops, and insect vectors of disease respond to climate adaptation.

201-3 Defined benefit plan obligations and other retirement plans
Details are described to employees at the hiring orientation.

201-4 Financial assistance received from government
None

202-1 Ratios of standard entry level wage by gender compared to local minimum wage
Information unavailable

202-2 Proportion of senior management hired from the local community
Information unavailable

203-1 Infrastructure investments and services supported
We maintained the investments since 2024 in a new plant in White City, OR.

203-2 Significant indirect economic impacts
In a few less populated locations like Osage, IA, and Grants Pass, OR, USA, our operations directly impact local jobs and education opportunities in a positive manner.

204-1 Proportion of spending on local suppliers
Domestic suppliers account for 71% of our total expenditure.

205-1 Operations assessed for risks related to corruption
Valent Group Code of Ethics (2023). 10. Anti-Corruption.

205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures
Valent Group Code of Ethics (2023). 10. Anti-Corruption. E-learning and in-person training.

205-3 Confirmed incidents of corruption and actions taken
None

206-1 Legal actions for anti-competitive behavior, anti-trust, and monopoly practices
None

207-1 Approach to tax
Our approach to tax is to fully comply with all relevant laws and regulations.

207-2 Tax governance, control, and risk management
Our approach to tax is to fully comply with all relevant laws and regulations.

207-3 Stakeholder engagement and management of concerns related to tax
None

207-4 Country-by-country reporting
In accordance to country by country tax laws.

301-1 Materials used by weight or volume
The organization has comprehensive data on materials used by weight or volume and will convert this information into percentage calculations for FY25, enhancing clarity and insight.

301-2 Recycled input materials used
The organization estimates that its corrugated boxes and other corrugated paper materials, such as partitions and slip sheets, have an average recycled content of 52%.

301-3 Reclaimed products and their packaging materials
Information unavailable

302-1 Energy consumption within the organization 
Our energy consumption data is collected by the environmental, health, and safety team and submitted to the Sumitomo Chemical Co. for the ESG report. This year we started using a new platform for data collection and documentation, called WayCarbon, which has strong scientific backing and is 3rd party validated. This allows distinct emplyees to add data relevant to emissions, as well as supporting documentation.

302-2 Energy consumption outside of the organization
Information unavailable

302-3 Energy intensity
Information unavailable

302-4 Reduction of energy consumption
Refer to Valent BioSciences 2025 Sustainability Report – Sustainability Goals.

302-5 Reductions in energy requirements of products and services
Information unavailable

303-1 Interactions with water as a shared resource
Information Unavailable 

303-2 Management of water discharge-related impacts
We have established a pre-treatment agreement with the city of Osage, IA. This agreement outlines the protocols and standards for pre-treating water before discharge, ensuring that our operations comply with local regulations and minimize environmental impact.

303-3 Water withdrawal
Information unavailable

303-4 Water discharge
Not applicable

303-5 Water consumption
Information unavailable

304-1 Operational sites owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas
None

304-2 Significant impacts of activities, products and services on biodiversity
The company’s biological products, ranging from crop protection to crop enhancement solutions, influence biodiversity in various ways. These products can impact ecosystems through their effects on plant health, pest populations, and soil quality. By enhancing crop resilience and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, the company contributes positively to biodiversity.

304-3 Habitats protected or restored
Valent BioSciences 2025 Sustainability Report, Corporate Social Value.

304-4 IUCN Red List species and national conservation list species with habitats in areas affected by operations
None

305-1 Direct (Scope 1) GHG emissions
Refer to the Valent BioSciences 2025 Sustainability report for sections on Sustainability Goals. Our GHG emissions data, collected by our environmental, health, and safety team, is consolidated into the Sumitomo Chemical Co. ESG report. We are also reporting here first time on the results from WayCarbon Platform. Scope 1: 11.673 .62 tCO2e. Reporting period: January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

305-2 Energy indirect (Scope 2) GHG emissions
22,466.99 tCO2e. Reporting period: January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

305-3 Other indirect (Scope 3) GHG emissions
We are reporting partial scope 3 emission this year, covers 3.3,3.4,3.5,3.6, and 3.8. Scope 3 emission: 55485.94 tCO2e. Reporting period: January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

305-4 GHG emissions intensity
Information unavailable

305-5 Reduction of GHG emissions
Information unavailable

305-6 Emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODS)
Information unavailable

305-7 Nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and other significant air emissions
Information Unavailable

306-1 Waste generation and significant waste-related impacts
Completion of expansion projects reduced overall amount of landfilled waste.

306-2 Management of significant waste-related impacts
Waste is managed through various streams, including external vendors and our wastewater treatment system.

306-3 Waste generated
Waste is managed through various streams, including external vendors and our wastewater treatment system.

306-4 Waste diverted from disposal
Waste is managed through various streams, including external vendors and our wastewater treatment system.

306-5 Waste directed to disposal
Waste is managed through various streams, including external vendors and our wastewater treatment system.

308-1 New suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria
Suppliers undergo environmental performance screening via a third-party sustainability assessment platform as part of our qualification process.

401-1 New employee hires and employee turnover
Given the size of our employee population, new employee hires and employee turnover are tracked monthly.

401-2 Benefits provided to full-time employees that are not provided to temporary or part-time employees
In most cases, temporary and part-time employees are not qualified for the same benefits provided to full-time employees.

401-3 Parental leave
The information is listed in the employee polices on leave.

402-1 Minimum notice periods regarding operational changes
We have very few changes to this scale that require a notice period.

403-1 Occupational health and safety management system
VGC-POL-RC-001 Responsible Care Policy & VGC-POL-RC-002 Occupational Health and Safety Management Policy. All employees are required to participate in our Responsible Care software and track on their personal scorecard. We provide training and track all engagement in RC Activities.

403-2 Hazard identification, risk assessment, and incident investigation
VGC-POL-RC-001 When incidents are reported in the RC software, a risk matrix determines if an investigation is required. The EHS manager for the site, leads the investagation and creates appropriate corrective actions. This ensures that we don’t stop the investigation at a causal factor and that we take it all the way to root causes.

403-3 Occupational health services
VGC-POL-RC-001 & 002. We have arrangements in our emergency plans for all hospitals, urgent care providers and emergency contacts.

403-4 Worker participation, consultation, and communication on occupational health and safety
VGC-POL-RC-001 & 002 Same as 403-5

403-5 Worker training on occupational health and safety
VGC-POL-RC-001 & 002 Includes training from Vector Solutions, our Responsible Care software.

403-6 Promotion of worker health
VGC-POL-RC-001 & 002. Promoted at least monthly in various emails, events and articles.

403-7 Prevention and mitigation of occupational health and safety impacts directly linked by business relationships
VGC-POL-RC-001 & 002. Includes use of inspections and observations to meet our requirement of continuous improvement and tracking corrective actions and tasks.

403-8 Workers covered by an occupational health and safety management system
VGC-POL-RC-001 & 002

403-9 Work-related injuries
Work Comp is coordinated with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group. Employees required to visit our healthcare center for evaluation, treatment & return to work.

403-10 Work-related ill health
Work Comp is coordinated with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group. Employees required to visit our healthcare center for evaluation, treatment & return to work.

404-1 Average hours of training per year per employee
This is tracked formally in Navex and our internal learning management system.

404-2 Programs for upgrading employee skills and transition assistance programs
We have a formal mentorship program and individual development plans.

404-3 Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews
All employees have set goals and receive performance reviews.

405-1 Diversity of governance bodies and employees
Refer to 2025 Sustainability Report – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

405-2 Ratio of basic salary and remuneration of women to men
Pay Equity Study

406-1 Incidents of discrimination and corrective actions taken
None

407-1 Operations and suppliers in which the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining may be at risk
None

408-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of child labor
None

409-1 Operations and suppliers at significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor
None

410-1 Security personnel trained in human rights policies or procedures
Not truly applicable but security is covered by our team and includes VGC-POL-RC008 Physical Security Policy and VGC-POL-RC-009 Access Control and Visitor Management Policy.

411-1 Incidents of violations involving rights of indigenous peoples
None

413-1 Operations with local community engagement, impact assessments, and development programs
Refer to 2025 Sustainability Report – Corporate Social Value

413-2 Operations with significant actual and potential negative impacts on local communities
None

414-1 New suppliers that were screened using social criteria
None

414-2 Negative social impacts in the supply chain and actions taken
None

415-1 Political contributions
None

416-1 Assessment of the health and safety impacts of product and service categories
Studies conducted for the safety of employees, workers and the public. Assessment through SDS writing.

416-2 Incidents of non-compliance concerning the health and safety impacts of products and services
Quality assurance picks-up non-compliant products before sales happen. Company also evaluates customer complaints twice a year, in addition to addressing them as they occur. This is focused on the agriculture division, which is the largest.

417-1 Requirements for product and service information and labeling
Follow regulations in each country with product sales.

417-2 Incidents of non-compliance concerning product and service information and labeling
None

417-3 Incidents of non-compliance concerning marketing communications
None

418-1 Substantiated complaints concerning breaches of customer privacy and losses of customer data
None to date as we avoid taking personal information from customers. Reporting on our website.