As sustainability becomes central to how companies design products and manage resources, the focus is increasingly shifting from commitments to measurable action. For companies working closely with natural resources such as water, this responsibility is even more critical. Japan based sanitaryware major TOTO Ltd. has steadily placed sustainability at the centre of its approach, advancing water efficient technologies alongside responsible manufacturing practices. The company’s efforts have earned global recognition, including a place among the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 500 by Time Magazine and inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series.
For TOTO, sustainability is not viewed merely as a compliance requirement. Instead, it must become a driver of innovation that creates both environmental and business value. In this interaction with TheCSRUniverse, Shiozawa Kazuyuki, Managing Director of TOTO India, discusses the company’s sustainability journey, its focus on water efficiency and responsible manufacturing, and how global learnings are being adapted for the Indian market.
Scroll down to read the full interview.
Q&A
Q. With initiatives like energy efficiency and water conservation at the forefront, can you share how TOTO’s sustainability journey began, and how it has evolved over the years to reach its current global and regional standing?
A. Sustainability at TOTO did not begin as a trend response. It is rooted in our identity as a company built around water. Since our founding, this has been our long-term philosophy.
Our global framework, TOTO WILL2030, reflects this commitment. It is a shared value creation strategy designed to simultaneously deliver environmental, social, and economic value. Under this strategy, we focus on three materiality pillars: Cleanliness & Comfort; Wellness, Environment, and Relationships, while contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a company that has been in a business related to "water" since its founding, TOTO also actively promotes activities that contribute to the development of local communities; including the setting up of the TOTO Water Environment Fund. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the TOTO Water Environment Fund this year, we have awarded grants for 353 recipient organizations across 20 countries with a total grant amount of 539.04 million yen.
From a product perspective, the evolution has been significant. Earlier, water usage per flush was approximately 20 liters; today, we have reduced it to as low as 3.8 liters in our latest products — without compromising hygiene or performance. In India, this philosophy is reflected through our water-efficient product portfolio and environmentally responsible manufacturing practices at our Halol plant, including waste minimization and emissions management. Over time, sustainability has evolved from operational efficiency to a fully integrated strategic priority.
Q. The Gujarat plant has implemented strong resource efficiency measures. How are these best practices aligned with global standards?
A. Our Halol facility operates under internationally recognized certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IAPMO & JIS, ensuring both quality and environmental management excellence. We follow a structured approach that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The plant is regarded as one of the cleanest TOTO facilities globally. Since Halol exports to multiple global markets including Japan, the US, Europe, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, and the Middle East, it must consistently meet international production and sustainability benchmarks. This ensures that the learnings and efficiencies achieved in India are not isolated, but fully aligned with TOTO’s global operational standards.
Q. TOTO has been ranked among the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 500. Beyond recognition, how do you measure tangible ESG impact internally?
A. External recognition reinforces direction, but our primary focus is measurable impact. For example, the reduction of flush water from 20 liters to 3.8 liters in our latest products represents a quantifiable environmental outcome. At a strategic level, we measure progress against the pillars of TOTO WILL2030 which define our sustainability materiality across environment, wellness, and relationships. Beyond product innovation, our impact extended through the TOTO Water Environment Fund is also particularly important to us as an organization. Our ESG measurement framework therefore spans product efficiency, manufacturing responsibility, and measurable community impact.
Q. How does TOTO view its role in addressing water scarcity, particularly in markets like India?
A. Water scarcity demands innovation that does not require behavioral compromise. Our approach is to make conservation intuitive and seamless. Utilizing tech for impact our technologies such as Tornado Flush, Rimless design, Cefiontect, Premist, and EWATER+ are engineered to reduce water usage while ensuring superior hygiene and performance. The reduction of water usage per flush demonstrates that sustainability and performance can coexist. Constantly pushing the barrier or R&D and innovation our work with the TOTO Water Environment Fund also allows us to open avenues to support water and sanitation improvement initiatives globally; the learnings from which are then replicated across countries including India. Our role is therefore both technological and societal. Advancing water efficiency while supporting access and awareness.
Q. What global insights have you adapted to the Indian context, especially given varying regulations and cultural expectations?
A. Globally, we have seen a shift from purely functional bathrooms to spaces that reflect wellness, hygiene, and design. In India, we localize our approach through continuous engagement with specifiers, end users, and channel partners, and through periodic market research across regions to understand evolving needs. We are in the continuous process of launching products in varied shapes, designs, and colors to reflect dynamic consumer preferences.
From a regulatory compliance and manufacturing excellence point of view, we ensure to adhere to both Indian and international standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, MIS, TIS, IAPMO, and JIS. Culturally, post-COVID awareness around hygiene has accelerated demand for smart toilets and WASHLET products, reinforcing the relevance of our innovation-led approach.
Q. How does TOTO address embodied carbon across sourcing and manufacturing?
A. TOTO, aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To meet this goal, TOTO is working to reduce CO2 emissions across the entire life cycle of its products.
Our efforts include:
- Expanding the use of water-saving products to counteract the increased CO2 emissions that result from using water.
- Improving energy-saving technologies daily, which contributes to reducing the environmental impact while providing a "clean, comfortable, and healthy lifestyle".
- Working globally as a team to reduce CO2 emissions during the manufacturing of products.
- Focusing on using the next generation of energy sources, such as hydrogen fuel.
Everything the company does today will connect to the future. TOTO's carbon neutrality efforts are directed toward realizing a sustainable society for all.
Q. As Managing Director of TOTO India, what is your long-term vision for promoting sustainable living in India?
A. India represents one of the most dynamic markets in our global portfolio, with immense potential driven by economic growth and demographic strength. Our joint vision is to align TOTO India’s growth with India’s sustainability aspirations, delivering water-efficient, hygiene-driven solutions while expanding responsibly into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. At a global level, through the TOTO Water Environment Fund, we will continue supporting community-rooted water initiatives that contribute to a sustainable society.
Q. With your background in sales and management, how do you ensure sustainability is integrated into core business decisions?
A. Sustainability must create value both environmental and commercial that is a priority on a global scale for the brand.Post-COVID, heightened hygiene awareness accelerated demand, proving that sustainability and market demand are closely linked.
By positioning sustainability as a driver of innovation and consumer value and not treating it as a compliance exercise, we are able to ensure it remains embedded in strategic decisions.
Q. What are TOTO’s most ambitious sustainability goals for the next 5–10 years?
A. Our long-term ambition is guided by TOTO WILL2030, which seeks to realize a sustainable society while delivering clean, comfortable, and healthy lifestyles globally. we will continue advancing water-saving technologies, strengthening environmental governance, and aligning luxury design with measurable sustainability performance. Our leadership in sustainability will not be defined by recognition alone but also by measurable impact across our products, factories and grants.
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