Merck Performance Materials LLC will be exhibiting at the 10th Cosmetics Industry Technology Exhibition (CITE JAPAN 2021), scheduled to be held in May. ◆◇Highlights of the Exhibition◆◇ We will introduce a wide range of raw materials for applications from makeup to skincare and haircare. We can accommodate various global standards such as ISO 16128, halal certification, and COSMOS certification, aligning with the globally trending clean beauty concept. Please feel free to consult us at our booth. ■High Brightness and High Chroma Pearl Pigments We will showcase high-chroma pearl pigments based on alumina flakes, including the Ronastar Lights series. ■Functional Fillers We will introduce various functional fillers along with proposals for alternatives to microplastics. ■Functional Ingredients for Skincare and Haircare We will provide data updates on the RonaCare series for skincare applications, including hygiene purposes.

Merck Performance Materials LLC will be exhibiting at TOKYO PACK 2022 - Tokyo International Packaging Exhibition 2022, scheduled for October. ◆◇ Highlights of the Exhibition ◆◇ Reset Future = Rebirth of the Future = - Proposals for pearl designs in resins considering the environment and recycling - Introduction of pearl pigments compliant with food packaging regulations - Introduction of laser marking materials - Presentation of the latest pearl color trends As a leading supplier of "pearl pigments" that add color and functionality to various products, we provide luminescent materials and functional materials. This exhibition will showcase products focused on packaging applications. ◆◇ Exhibition Categories ◆◇ Plastic films and containers Plastic molded products Inks, pigments, and coating agents Environmentally friendly packaging and containers Design ◆◇ Inquiry Contact for the Exhibition ◆◇ https://www.tokyo-pack.jp/appointment/index.php?id=1149

We would like to inform you about the Merck Web Seminar scheduled for February. This time, we will focus on Meoxal, an aluminum-based pigment characterized by high brightness and high chroma. Meoxal product introduction web page: https://www.merckgroup.com/jp-ja/brands/pm/meoxal.html ■ Title: Meoxal Travel Book (Introduction of Meoxal series products and styling examples) ■ Overview: Merck's aluminum-based pigment Meoxal not only features high brightness and high chroma but also has the advantage of being easy to handle in water-based paint systems. We will introduce 26 types of styling using photos and videos. ■ Date and Time: February 22, 2022 (Tuesday) from 15:00 to 15:45 (including Q&A) ■ Format: Microsoft Teams ■ How to Participate: Please register using the link below. After completing your registration, we will send you the Teams meeting link.

We would like to inform you about a seminar on plastic recycling. (Language: English) We look forward to your participation. ■ Date: November 30, 2021 (Tuesday) 15:30 - 16:30 (Japan Time) ■ Title: Recycling Plastic with Pearlescent Color ■ Overview: Sustainability is an important topic for all of us! We will introduce the 3Rs and management methods using pearl pigments in recycled plastics. ■ How to Participate: Please register in advance using the application URL. Steps for pre-registration: 1. Access the application URL 2. Register on the Registration Form 3. After completing your registration, we will send the seminar access URL via email.

We would like to inform you about the Merck web seminar scheduled for November. This time, we would like to discuss how Merck's effect pigments (pearl pigments) can contribute from the perspective of sustainability, as well as our initiatives. ■ Title: Effect Pigments from the Perspective of Sustainability ■ Program: 1) Effect Pigments and Recycling Discussion on effect pigments and "recycling," "3R," and "environment" Proposal for an environmentally clean marking method (laser marking) Safety of effect pigments 2) Merck's Commitment to SDGs Overview of Merck's initiatives regarding SDGs 3) Announcements from Merck We would like to introduce a newly released special web page for pearl pigments. 4) Q&A ■ Date and Time: Thursday, November 11, 2021, 15:00 - 15:45 (including Q&A) ■ Format: Microsoft Teams ■ How to Participate: Please register using the link below. After registration is complete, we will send you the Teams meeting link.

Durazane is a material that can impart functions such as scratch resistance, water repellency, stain resistance, corrosion resistance, and high heat resistance to coatings. For more details, please refer to the following webpage. Durazane introduction webpage: https://www.merckgroup.com/jp-ja/brands/pm/durazane.html ■Title: Introduction and Application Examples of Functional Material Durazane ■Overview: Merck's functional material Durazane includes organic polysilazanes and inorganic polysilazanes that can be used as binders in coatings, as well as polymer-modified core-shell structured nano SiO2 particles as additives to improve scratch resistance. In this seminar, we will introduce various materials and application examples, including cases of adding to clear coats and performance examples as glass coatings in the aftermarket. ■Date and Time: October 14, 2021 (Thursday) 15:00 - 16:00 (including Q&A) ■Format: Microsoft Teams ■Participation Method: Please register for participation via the application link. After registration is complete, we will send you the Teams meeting link.

We would like to inform you about a seminar on plastic recycling. (Language: English) We look forward to your participation. ■ Date: September 22, 2021 (Wednesday) 17:00 - 19:00 (Japan Time) ■ Title: TURNING TRASH INTO TREASURE ■ Overview: Sustainability is an important topic for all of us! Five major industry players are working together to transform the way we view plastic recycling globally. From Merck, we will propose a method to identify and track waste using laser marking technology and Iriotec pigments. For more details about the seminar, please check the webpage. https://www.merckgroup.com/en/s/r-cycle.html ■ How to participate: Please pre-register using the application URL. Pre-registration process: 1. After accessing the application URL, click the "REGISTER NOW" button. 2. Please fill out the Registration Form. 3. After completing your registration, we will send the seminar access URL via email.

Merck Performance Materials LLC will be exhibiting at the Optics & PHOTONICS International Exhibition (OPIE '21) scheduled for June. ◆◇ Highlights of the Exhibition ◆◇ As a leading supplier of "vacuum deposition materials" and a global supplier of "pearl pigments" that add color and functionality to various products, as well as wet coating materials used for oxygen and water vapor barriers and transparent insulating films, we provide functional materials. This exhibition will focus on showcasing functional materials. ■ Polycarbosilane Durazane ■ Vacuum deposition material Substance H4 HD Patinal ■ Vacuum deposition material Substance WR4-SF HD Patinal ■ Pigment for laser marking IlioTech 8000 ■ Fluorinated surfactant Tivida ■ High-purity materials for single crystal manufacturing Optipur

We would like to invite you to a webinar on effect pigments (pearl pigments) handled by Merck. The Xirallic NXT series we will introduce this time achieves a unique brightness and flop effect, making it suitable for printing and plastic applications. We will present product introductions themed around Miraval and Xirallic, as well as points to consider when processing for customers in the plastic applications sector. We look forward to your participation. ■ Date: June 28, 2021 (Monday) 15:00 - 15:30 (including Q&A) ■ Title: Applications of Miraval & Xirallic in Plastics ■ Overview: We will explain the product introduction of Miraval and Xirallic and points to consider when using them in thermoplastic plastics. ■ Instructor: Kazuhisa Higashi / Surface Solutions Development and Application Technology Department ■ Organizer: Merck Performance Materials LLC ■ Format: Microsoft Teams ■ Participation Method: Please register for participation using the application URL. After registration is complete, we will send the Teams meeting link by the day before the event.

We will introduce Merck's effect pigments (pearl pigments) "Xirallic NXT Series" in a web seminar. The Xirallic NXT series we are presenting this time is a product that has been further improved at our headquarters in Germany, based on a thorough understanding of market needs and the features of the traditional excellent Xirallic products. Our research team has developed a product that excels in brilliance and texture. The Xirallic NXT series, specially developed for automotive coatings, achieves a rare sense of brightness and flop, and can also be used for printing and plastic applications. On the day of the seminar, we will provide an introduction to the Xirallic NXT series. We look forward to your participation. ■ Format: Microsoft Teams ■ Title: Xirallic NXT Series ■ Overview: We will explain the product introduction of the Xirallic NXT series and the magnetic effects of Amur Black based on the following content. ■ Instructor: Merck Performance Materials LLC ■ Participation Method: Pre-registration via the link. After registration is complete, we will send the Teams meeting link via email by the day before the seminar.

We would like to inform you about the joint online seminar scheduled for November, featuring three companies. In this seminar, we will introduce the basics of pearl pigments from Merck Performance Materials LLC, present the "CM-M6" spectrophotometer equipped with one-directional lighting and six-directional receiving optics from Konica Minolta Japan Co., Ltd., and propose color designs using pearl pigments based on current trends from Yamamoto Tsusan Co., Ltd. ■ Date and Time: November 2, 2022 (Wednesday) 13:00 - 15:55 ■ Schedule: Lecture 1: Understanding Pearl Pigments Kazuhisa Higashi, Merck Performance Materials LLC Lecture 2: Enjoying Colors and Expanding Possibilities Mami Hashimoto, Yamamoto Tsusan Co., Ltd. Lecture 3: Color Measurement of Coating Boards Containing Pearl Pigments Takashi Komatsu, Konica Minolta Japan Co., Ltd. ■ Method of Holding: Microsoft Teams ■ How to Participate: Please register using the link below. After registration is complete, we will send you the Teams meeting link.

Dear Sir/Madam, I would like to express my congratulations on the continued prosperity of your company. I am sincerely grateful for your exceptional support. I would like to inform you that we are planning a webinar on the theme of "Fundamentals of Pearl Pigments" on May 29th (Monday). This webinar will cover a wide range of topics, from the principles of color development of pearl pigments to various product lineups, which have been frequently requested by our customers every year. We welcome participants from all fields, including coatings, inks, and plastics, whether they are new employees or those who wish to learn more about pearl pigments. We look forward to your participation. ■ Date and Time: May 29, 2023 (Monday) 15:00 - 16:00 ■ Format: Microsoft Teams ■ How to Participate: Please register using the link below. After completing your registration, we will send you the Teams meeting link. https://forms.office.com/e/6R3EuvmMDW ■ Organized by: Merck Performance Materials LLC We look forward to your participation.

Merck will exhibit at "OPIE'25," one of the largest optical-related specialized exhibitions in Japan, held at Pacifico Yokohama from April 23 to 25. Merck's deposition material, Patinal, has over 30 years of production experience and outstanding expertise as a deposition material for manufacturing optical thin films. Optipur is used in scintillators and optical lenses as a raw material for high-purity single crystal production. We will introduce our strengths, including the composite oxide Substance H/M/L series, water-repellent/oil-repellent agent Substance WR4, and coloring composite oxide Black A. We will be distributing gold fabric markers to visitors. We look forward to seeing you there. Event Dates: April 23-25, 2025, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Venue: Pacifico Yokohama (1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012) Merck Booth: Q-56

Featured products include... - The ultimate functional filler "RonaFlair Infinity" achieved through the fusion of unique technologies - "Xirona Le Coeur," which realizes a deep bluish-red color - The UV absorber "Eusolex EHT/BEMT," launching this spring - Oil-soluble poppy extract "RonaCare Poppy SE" Additionally, we will be showcasing a wide range of materials, including concept proposals using the "Ronastar Lights" series, various functional fillers gaining attention as alternatives to talc, and skincare ingredients with abundant data. We look forward to seeing you at booth "A18-01"! Event dates: May 14-16, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Venue: Pacifico Yokohama (1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012) Booth: Exhibition Hall A18-01 Please register in advance using the link below. https://registnet.jp/citejapan2025/

Today, surfaces not only shape appearances but also influence emotions, perceptions, and how people experience brands. Join the exciting session hosted by SUSONITY, where we will introduce global CMF (Color, Material, Finish) trends and new material ideas across industries. Discover how RoboChromatics and Xirallic NXT Leopard White achieve futuristic styling with solid-like, matte, and intense neutral sparkle finishes. This webinar offers new perspectives on shaping the future of surfaces for anyone involved in design, CMF, technology development, or formulation.

Merck Performance Materials LLC, which handles pearl pigments, cosmetic raw materials, and vacuum deposition materials, has launched an Instagram account called SURFACE SOLUTIONS JAPAN. We will be sharing information about new products, announcements for events such as exhibitions and webinars, and introductions to Surface Japan. Please follow us to stay updated on the latest news from Merck! https://www.instagram.com/merckjapan_surface/

Merck will exhibit at "OPIE'25," one of the largest optical-related specialized exhibitions in Japan, held at Pacifico Yokohama from April 23 to 25. Merck's deposition material, Patinal, has over 30 years of production experience and outstanding expertise as a deposition material for manufacturing optical thin films. Optipur is used in scintillators and optical lenses as a raw material for high-purity single crystal production. We will introduce our strengths, including the composite oxide Substance H/M/L series, water-repellent/oil-repellent agent Substance WR4, and coloring composite oxide Black A. We will be distributing gold fabric markers to visitors. We look forward to your visit. Event Dates: April 23-25, 2025, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Venue: Pacifico Yokohama (1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012) Merck Booth: Q-56

Featured products include... * The ultimate functional filler "RonaFlair Infinity" achieved through the fusion of unique technologies * "Xirona Le Coeur," which realizes a deep bluish-red color * The UV absorber "Eusolex EHT/BEMT," launching this spring * Oil-soluble poppy extract "RonaCare Poppy SE" Additionally, we will be introducing a wide range of materials, including concept proposals using the "Ronastar Lights" series, various functional fillers gaining attention as alternatives to talc, and skincare ingredients with abundant data. We look forward to seeing you at booth "A18-01"! Event dates: May 14-16, 2025, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Venue: Pacifico Yokohama (1-1-1 Minatomirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012) Booth: Exhibition Hall A18-01 Please register in advance using the link below. https://registnet.jp/citejapan2025/

We will evolve into a more innovative global partner with the widest portfolio in the world for industrial and cosmetic pearl pigments and functional materials. Although the name will change, our exceptional quality and professional services will remain the same. = Brands such as Iriodin, Xirallic, RonaCare, and Timiron will be inherited. = There will be no changes to manufacturing plants, quality control, or other services. = Our global experts and local staff will work together with you to pave the way for the future. Welcome to infinite possibilities. Welcome to SUSONITY.