Yupo Corporation (Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda, Tokyo; Masashi Watanabe, President, "Yupo") has utilized its proprietary technology to develop a new product, reduced plastic YUPO, capable of massively reducing the amount of plastic used in the synthetic paper for labels, primarily for food, cosmetic products and the like. At the 23rd Interphex Japan (host: RX Japan) hosted in Japan, we held a reference exhibit with our aim to introduce the product in markets during the 2021 fiscal year.

In terms of the total amount of annual waste of plastic per person, Japan is number four in the world^*1. Under the present circumstances in which a large amount of waste of disposable plastic products, we started cooperating with the Ministry of the Environment and local governments to tackle reducing the use of one-way plastics.

1. *1Source "Charles D, Kimman L, & Saran N 2021, The Plastic Waste Makers Index, Minderoo Foundation" 2019 waste of disposal plastics by country

Since Yupo's establishment in 1969, we have expanded our business intending to create a sustainable recycling-orientated society along with our mission to solve social problems. We strive every day to develop and improve the quality of products according to the needs of our customers and take initiatives to perform R&D and make improvements according to social problems and the needs of consumers. Development of the product has contributed to activities concerning the resource circulation of plastics, which is a global initiative to reduce the burden on the environment.

The reduced plastic YUPO synthetic paper for labels in our reference exhibit, developed using Yupo's proprietary technology, successfully reduced large a amount of use of plastic. This largely contributes to the mass reduction of one-way plastics.

We also proactively tackle the promotion of the recycling materials, which is a social responsibility of companies that handle synthetic resins. We will continue working on R&D and expanding our product lineup based on our mission of "improving people's lives" as stated in our corporate philosophy.

Characteristics of reduced plastic YUPO

• Approx. 46% reduction in plastic compared to general PP film products^*2 and approx. 20% reduction in Yupo's current products^*3.
• Provides the same durability and water resistance as conventional Yupo products and is appropriate for stickers on products that are used outdoors or near water.
• Has the same printing suitability, for labels, as the current, highly successful products of Yupo (SGS 80).

*2 General PP film (80 µm), *3 Compared with existing Yupo product (SGS 80)

In terms of the total amount of annual waste on disposable plastic products, Japan is number four in the world.

Japan is number four in the world in terms of the total amount of annual waste on disposable plastic products.

• *Source "Charles D, Kimman L, & Saran N 2021, The Plastic Waste Makers Index, Minderoo Foundation" 2019 waste of disposal plastics by country (created by Yupo according to the contents printed therein)

About Reduction of Plastic Use/Comparison Between Other Products and Yupo Products

Approx. 46% reduction in plastic compared to general PP film products (80 µm) and approx. 20% reduction in plastic compared to Yupo's existing products (SGS 80).

• *Comparative study of general PP film^*4 and products of Yupo in the same surface area

1. *4PP film (polypropylene film)

Measurement Date

October 2021

Measured products

reduced plastic YUPO, SGS 80, general PP film

• *Using the following method to calculate the amount of plastic used

• SGS 80 calculated according to the Yupo ratio
• General PP film (80 µm) was calculated as a density of 0.9 g/cm³

Product overview

Product name	Reduced plastic YUPO
Grade	Undetermined
Texture	Printing surface: Matte, Adhesive processed surface: Semi-gloss
Thickness/basis weight	80µm
Product features	Approx. 46% reduction in plastic compared to general PP film products (80 µm) and approx. 20% reduction in plastic compared to Yupo's current products (SGS 80).
Printing method	Compatible with gravure printing, flexo printing, UV offset rotation, and letterpress printing
Product applications	Environmentally-friendly label
Test sample	As the product is currently under development, this information will be published once the product has entered the market.
Start of sales	During the fiscal year 2021 (scheduled)

Expected industries

• Food industry (food product labels)
• Beverage industry (labels for drinking plastic bottles)
• Household products, daily use industries, etc.
  (Labels for cosmetics, toiletries, etc.)

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