Unicharm Australasia
Makers of nappies and incontinence pads
The Company was owned by entities associated with Gresham Private Equity Pty Ltd in conjunction with senior management of APPP. Gresham sold the company to Japanese company Unicharm in 2008.

Overall

Owned JPN
Rating C
About the Ratings

Company Ownership

Unicharm Australasia Pty Ltd
AUS
Unicharm Corporation
owns 100% of Unicharm Australasia Pty Ltd
JPN
Makers of personal paper products

Company Assessment

(Last updated Aug 2024)
Unicharm Australasia Pty Ltd
Praise
5/5 for packaging performance
This company received the highest packaging performance level of 5 (Beyond Best Practice) in its 2024 APCO Annual Report. Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is a not-for-profit organisation leading the development of a circular economy for packaging in Australia. Each year, APCO Members are required to submit an APCO Annual Report and Action Plan, which includes an overall performance level from 1 (Getting Started) to 5 (Beyond Best Practice).
Source: APCO (2024)
Information
Breaching advertising codes
This company has been criticised for offensive advertising. In 2009 the Advertising Standards Bureau upheld complaints about an ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified.
Charitable donations
This company supports Miracle Babies Foundation, which assists families of premature and sick newborns and the hospitals that care for them.
No tax paid in 2019-20
According to data released by the Australian Tax Office in Jan 2022, this company was one of many local and foreign-based companies that paid no tax in Australia in 2019-20. Please note however that companies pay income tax on profits, not revenue (total income). While some companies use tax havens and loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of tax in Australia, other companies that paid no tax have perfectly legitimate reasons.
Source: ATO (2022)
Unicharm Corporation
Praise
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, 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 (2023)
CDP Forests score of A
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of A.
Source: CDP (2023)
CDP Water Security score of A
In 2023, 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 (2023)
Criticism
3/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2024 and received a score of 3/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
Supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 18.68/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE (2023)
33.2% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 33.2%.
32/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 32/100 in the Household Products 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.
19.6% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2024 and is ranked #268/816, with a total score of 19.6/100.
Information
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.
Gender equality
This company appears on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, signifying a commitment to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation, and transparency.
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website including nappy recycling efforts and community support.
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Company Details

Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Employees:
65 (2012)

Contact Details

Address:
1 Hargrave Place, Mentone, VIC, 3194, Australia
Phone:
03 9552 1222
Website:
www.unicharm.com.au

Products / Brands

Unicharm Australasia
BabyLove Baby Wipes
BabyLove Nappies
Beyond Nappies
Sleepy Nights Nappies
Sofy Incontinence Needs
Sofy Feminine Hygiene