Bashikawa Corporation (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yoshio Inoue) has been featured in the July issue of the monthly magazine "Nikkei TRENDY" in the section 'Next Up?! Close-Up TOPICS Frontline' regarding the cellulose fiber composite resin "Green Chip® CMF®." Green Chip® CMF® is a new material that incorporates cellulose fibers from wood pulp, a biomass material, into polypropylene resin (PP). It can reduce the amount of petroleum-derived resin by half, contributing to CO2 reduction. Additionally, it has a flowability comparable to that of PP, achieving high moldability. By improving strength and heat resistance compared to PP, it allows for thinner molded products, enabling weight reduction. Depending on the molding conditions, it can produce a unique texture, and it is also characterized by its designability, allowing for direct printing on the resin surface. * Nikkei Trendy can be purchased at bookstores, convenience stores, station kiosks, and online bookstores nationwide.

Sanwa Paper Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President: Akira Matsunaga), a consolidated subsidiary of Tohkawa Paper Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President: Yoshio Inoue), has developed and is selling a large-capacity, lightweight, and compactly storable simple water tank for drinking water called "Fujikon," aimed at reducing the burden on local governments and disaster victims during emergencies. Sanwa Paper Co., Ltd. has now begun accepting demonstrations of how to use "Fujikon." *For more details, please check the news release in the related materials.

The cellulose microfiber composite resin "Green Chip® CMF®" with 55% cellulose fiber was certified as a biomass mark product on May 24, 2021. In recent years, efforts to address social issues, including the SDGs, have accelerated, and consumer awareness of environmental issues has also increased. "Green Chip® CMF®," which incorporates cellulose fibers as a reinforcing material into polypropylene (PP) resin, not only improves strength and heat resistance but also excels in moldability. The cellulose fiber content and flowability during molding can be adjusted according to applications and needs. Recently, the grade of "Green Chip® CMF®" containing 55% cellulose fiber has been certified as a biomass mark product. When this grade is used without coloring or dilution, the molded products can display the biomass mark as a sign of environmentally friendly products. In the future, we plan to obtain certification for other grades sequentially. Additionally, to expand its applications, we are also developing composite materials of cellulose fibers with polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), rubber, elastomers, and biodegradable resins.