Unicharm Corporation (CEO & President, Mr. Takahisa Takahara) is pleased to announce the collaboration with HAVIX Corporation (President, Mr. Kazuhiko Yoshimura /hereinafter as HAVIX) to develop processing technology for paper pants raw material from recycled pulp to enhance supply capacity. The commercial utilization is set to begin in January 2024.

In 2015, our company initiated the RefF project* with the aim of recycling used paper pants. Through the use of ozone-based sterilization technology, we successfully generated "recycled pulp" that is hygienic and safe, equivalent in quality to unused pulp. In 2022, we manufactured adult paper pants branded "LIFREE" that incorporated recycled pulp into the absorbent paper, and began testing them in care facilities primarily in the South Kyushu area. We have received positive feedback from these care facilities, stating that the product maintains the same quality as regular items and allows for easy participation in solving the environmental problems.

Based on these achievements, we have decided to collaborate with HAVIX to develop processing technology for paper pants raw materials using recycled pulp, in order to expand the supply of horizontally recycled products. Commercial utilization of this technology is set to begin in January 2024.

*RefF abbreviates for "Recycle for the Future." Unicharm aims to achieve the realization of "non-consumable consumables," which is essential for a sustainable future, and as part of this effort, we are committed to recycling used paper pants.

Unicharm believes that this act will contribute to the following goal of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015.

3．Good Health and Well-Being　　　12．Responsible Consumption and Production　　　　　15．Life on Land

We will continue to the achievement of the SDGs by solving environmental and social issues through our business activities, including the provision of products and services.

<Related Information>

Unicharm Sustainability Site             https://www.unicharm.co.jp/en/csr-eco.html

Unicharm Kyo-sei Life vision 2030    https://www.unicharm.co.jp/en/csr-eco/kyoseilifevision.html