Sumitomo Chemical
Sumitomo Chemical
Expanding Local Production of Bed Nets.
BCTA MEMBERSHIP STATUS
Alumni
SECTOR
Chemicals
HEADQUARTERS
Japan
REGION OF INITIATIVE
Africa
SDG CONTRIBUTION
In the last decade, the world has achieved a historic 58% global reduction in the malaria burden, which is now at its lowest point since the dawn of humanity. Yet all malaria partners are aware that we must adopt new approaches with renewed resolve if we are to achieve the ambitious goal to end malaria.
Sumitomo Chemical, a maker of highly durable and long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets, commits to engaging in comprehensive efforts to achieve a world free of malaria within our generation. This commitment builds upon Sumitomo Chemical's dedication to malaria prevention during the Millennium Development Goals era including:
Originating the world's first WHO-recommended long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs) and scaling global manufacturing capacity up to 60 million nets/year;
Providing technology transfer for local manufacturing of LLINs in Tanzania, which has grown to employ more than 7,000 people (90% women), to achieve a production capacity of 30 million nets/year. A 50/50 Joint Venture with A to Z Textile Mills enabled the scale-up.
As we enter the era of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sumitomo Chemical takes note of the call for innovation in vector control tools for malaria outlined in the WHO Global Technical Strategy adopted by the 68th World Health Assembly in May 2015. Sumitomo Chemical underscores its commitment to continuous innovation of vector control tools to eliminate malaria, with five new products currently in the WHOPES process of evaluation and recommendation by WHO. ATRC, our Africa Technical Research Centre, is also a 50/50 Joint Venture with A to Z Textile Mills at which scientists from malaria-endemic countries focus on development of innovative vector control tools for public health and agriculture.