Announcements
Tokyo, JAPAN (July 8, 2026) — Suntory Holdings and EF Polymer, a Japan-based environmental technology startup, today announced a strategic partnership to support sustainable procurement of raw ingredients and to stabilize agricultural production in the face of climate change. Under the partnership, the companies launched a joint pilot program in June 2026 to evaluate how enhanced soil water retention using EF Polymer's super absorbent polymer can contribute to more stable crop yield and quality. This partnership marks EF Polymer's first strategic collaboration with a beverage company. *1
Climate change is placing increasing pressure on agricultural systems worldwide. More frequent droughts combined with reduced rainfall and higher temperatures are depleting soil moisture, resulting in reduced crop yields and quality. This has become a critical issue not only for farmers, but also for beverage companies, as it directly impacts raw ingredient procurement and business continuity.
Throughout its entire supply chain, Suntory Group has advanced sustainable procurement by strengthening initiatives worldwide, including regenerativeagriculture and agricultural support programs, while collaborating with companies and organizations that are leaders in sustainable agriculture.
“In today's increasingly uncertain business environment, strengthening supply chain resilience, particularly by enhancing agricultural sustainability through collaboration with suppliers are essential to ensuring a stable supply of high-quality and trusted products for our customers,” said Masaaki Fujiwara, Managing Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Supply Chain Division, Suntory Holdings. “By working together with EF Polymer, whose proprietary technology offers unique capabilities, we hope to identify effective solutions and further accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture.”
Find Suntory Group’s approach to sustainable procurement here: https://www.suntory.co.jp/sustainability/soc_procurement/
Meanwhile, EF Polymer has developed “EF Polymer,” the world's first*2 commercially produced super absorbent polymer made entirely from naturally
derived resources, upcycled from fruit residues such as orange and banana peels. The company has been tackling global environmental challenges including
water scarcity, by developing proprietary, nature-based materials that help stabilize agricultural production.
Leveraging their respective strengths, the companies are conducting the pilot test by applying “EF Polymer” in yuzu cultivation. Yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit, is one of the key agricultural ingredients used by Suntory Group and is particularly susceptible to changes in rainfall and soil moisture conditions. It will assess improvements in soil water retention, impacts on crop yield stability and quality, and potential reductions in irrigation requirements.
The pilot test is being conducted with the support of yuzu farmers in Kochi Prefecture, southwestern Shikoku, under the framework of the comprehensive partnership agreement concluded in April 2025 between Suntory Holdings, Kochi Prefecture, and Kochi University.
“We are delighted to partner with Suntory Holdings,” said Narayan Lal Gurjar, Founder & CEO, EF Polymer. “By combining the strengths of our two companies, we are confident that we can create greater value in addressing our shared challenge of conserving water resources. Through this partnership, we hope to further unlock the potential of circular materials made entirely from organic resources and contribute to the realization of a more sustainable society.”
Through this strategic partnership and pilot test, the two companies aim to develop
new agricultural practices that can help mitigate climate-related risks such as drought.
Over time, they will explore expanding this approach to other crops sourced by
Suntory around the world, supporting sustainable agriculture and the long-term
stability of raw ingredient procurement.
*1 According to EF Polymer.
*2 According to EF Polymer.
About Suntory Group
As a global leader in the beverage industry, Suntory Group aims to inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Sustained by the gifts of nature and water, the Group offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products across more than 80 countries, from award-winning Japanese whiskies Yamazaki and Hibiki, iconic American whiskies Jim Beam and Maker's Mark, canned ready-to-drink -196 (minus one-nine-six), The Premium Malt’s beer, Japanese wine Tomi, and the world-famous Château Lagrange. Its brand collection also includes non-alcoholic favorites Orangina, Lucozade, Oasis, BOSS coffee, Suntory Tennensui water, TEA+ Oolong Tea, and V energy drink, as well as popular health and wellness product Sesamin EX.
Founded as a family-owned business in 1899 in Osaka, Japan, Suntory Group has grown into a global company operating throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania, with approximately 40,000 employees worldwide drawn upon the unique blend of Japanese artisanship and global tastes to explore new product categories and markets.
For more information, visit www.suntory.com and Drink Smart.
About EF Polymer
EF Polymer is a deep-tech startup born in India and nurtured in Japan. By upcycling agricultural residues such as orange and banana peels into 100% bio-based super absorbent polymers, EF Polymer provides sustainable solutions for agriculture and beyond. The company also promotes applications in cosmetics, personal care products, and ice-packs, helping industries achieve green transformation (GX). Through its technology, EF Polymer strives to solve global environmental challenges, particularly water scarcity.
https://efpolymer.com/
