News Release

HighChem Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Ushio Taka) has announced that its plant-derived biodegradable plastic, PLA (Polylactic Acid), has been adopted by FANCL Corporation (Headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture; President and CEO: Kazuyuki Shimada, hereafter referred to as FANCL) for use in their makeup display units. These display units, made entirely from PLA, showcase an environmentally friendly approach and will be progressively installed in all direct-operated stores starting from April 3rd.

Because PLA uses biomass such as corn as its raw material, it absorbs CO2 (carbon dioxide) during the plant growth process, and is a carbon-neutral material that does not increase atmospheric CO2 even when incinerated. In addition, CO2 emissions during raw material manufacturing are a 1/7th compared to polyester, so it can be expected to reduce CO2 emissions during raw material manufacturing. Furthermore, it is biodegradable, decomposing into water and carbon dioxide under certain conditions, creating an ideal cycle in which it returns to nature after use.

In 2018, FANCL Corporation unveiled the "FANCL Group Sustainable Declaration," setting its sights on fostering a sustainable society that brings smiles to the faces of both current and future generations. With a focused commitment on "Environment," "Healthy Living," and "Community and Employees," FANCL is actively contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of its dedication to environmental stewardship, FANCL has initiated the use of biodegradable plastics in its store fixtures. This move is complemented by the adoption of "MAPKA®," an eco-friendly fixture material primarily made from paper powder, across all stores. Additionally, FANCL is advancing the use of paper bags, adopting a Circular Economy model for the first time in the cosmetics industry, further emphasizing its efforts to create stores with environmental considerations at their core.

Since August 2020, HighChem has entered into a business strategic partnership agreement with BBCA group, which boasts the world's largest PLA production volume, and is developing the Japanese market for PLA. In addition, in December 2021, HighChem proudly launched its own brand of PLA fiber, "HIGHLACT®," which has since been adopted by renowned apparel manufacturers, demonstrating HighChem's commitment to the widespread promotion of sustainable materials. Moving forward, guided by our mission "We are the BRIDGE," we will continue to advance initiatives aimed at creating a better planetary environment and forging a brighter future for our children.

Media inquiries regarding this release
HighChem Co., Ltd. PR Division – Eriko Kuroiwa
E-mail: kuroiwa@highchem.co.jp Phone: +81-3-5251-8580 / +81-90-6539-4213 (Kuroiwa)