Leading the way

Complementing the purchase of land in order to create a green corridor, we are erecting bridges made from used fire hoses for orangutans, connecting "oasis" of forest along the river. Orangutans cannot swim and often huge plantations cut orangutans off from the rest of the forest. Six bridges have been erected to allow the orangutan population to migrate freely across river tributaries.

Starting with the elephant that has been chased out of its habitat for the expansion of oil plantations, to the orangutan that lives isolated in fragmented forests, we work together with local residents for the rescue of these animals and their health recovery, to later free them back into the wild. This was the first environmental activity we did in Borneo, one that we continue to this day cooperating with the Sabah Wildlife Department.

SARAYA also collaborated with other Japanese companies in the creation of The Borneo Elephant Sanctuary Programme (BES) launched in 2012 for safer elephant rescue activities, finishing the first part of the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary in September 2013. 

Concerned by our use of palm oil in some of our products, we became members of the Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil since its foundation, as the first Japanese manufacturer to do it. The RSPO is an international non-profit organization that helps to produce, supply and utilize palm oil in a sustainable manner, through the creation of sustainable palm oil policies and a supply chain that adheres to environmental and humanitarian regulations, ensuring an ethical production. Members include stakeholders from all parts of the supply chain and supporters such as farmers, manufacturers, distributors, NGOs and consumers. SARAYA has been developing household detergents and body care products with 100% sustainable palm oil since 2010.

Inspired by the 2025 World Expo that takes place in the same city where our headquarters are located, we are taking our sustainability initiatives to the next level. SARAYA is participating in projects and activities dedicated to preserving the oceans, which you can learn more about below.

Blue Ocean Projects page

In recent years, the impact of plastic waste on marine life and ecosystems has become a major concern, with an estimated 150 million tons of marine plastic waste already in the sea, and an additional 12 million tons entering the oceans every year. SARAYA believes that as a manufacturer, we have the responsibility to use ocean plastic waste in addition to recycled plastic. Therefore, we created the PROTEGATE EXPO 2025 using recycled ocean plastic waste, installed for the first time at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai venue in the rest areas (Rest Area 1 & 2) and inside the BLUE OCEAN DOME.

Since the 1990s, SARAYA has embraced the use of natural essential oil fragrances in its products. In 2018, we established a distillation plant for essential oils in Tunisia. By partnering with local farmers, we’re building a sustainable industry that produces high-quality oils using environmentally friendly distillation methods.

Alongside the development of Tunisian olive oil —from harvesting to extraction —we are committed to addressing key social issues such as supporting sustainable agriculture, creating local jobs, preserving and innovating traditional techniques, and protecting the global environment. Through these efforts, we aim to promote industrial growth and long-term development in Tunisia.

Our jojoba oil—a raw material used mainly in cosmetics—is more than just a product. By cultivating jojoba, a resilient plant that thrives in desert environments, we support desert greening and environmental restoration.

We also collaborate with universities to advance research. This includes developing high-yield jojoba varieties and exploring new applications beyond cosmetics, such as eco-friendly insecticides and machine oils.

At SARAYA, we constantly explore new possibilities to create products that are gentle both on people and the planet. SOFORO is a natural biosurfactant produced through the fermentation of palm oil and sugar by yeast. Although biosurfactants were first discovered in the 1960s, they remained difficult to industrialize, but SARAYA overcame this challenge and successfully brought SOFORO to life.

With low cytotoxicity, powerful cleaning performance, and the ability to suppress ice crystal formation, SOFORO’s potential continues to grow. Its applications already span household cleaning products, medical instrument disinfectants, soil decontamination, and even cell cryopreservation solutions.

Rising ocean temperatures and extreme weather are causing “marine desertification,” threatening Japan’s seaweed beds like kombu in Hokkaido—essential for marine biodiversity and carbon absorption.

SARAYA’s Sea Forest Conservation Project partners with Hakodate City, universities, and companies to restore kelp beds, manage sea urchins, and support biodiversity. A portion of sales from select items supports these efforts. We also use aquaculture-grown kombu in personal care products and fund research into heat-resistant strains to ensure long-term sustainability.