Kanematsu and Spiber begin application development of Brewed Protein™ materials

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Kanematsu Corporation

Spiber Inc.

Kanematsu Corporation (hereinafter "Kanematsu") and Spiber Inc. (hereinafter "Spiber") began a collaboration aiming for application development in a wide range of industries using Brewed Protein™ structural protein materials produced by Spiber. Furthermore, Kanematsu acquired shares of Spiber by accepting a third-party allotment of new shares implemented by Spiber.

Spiber engages in the development and production of Brewed Protein™ materials, created through a microbial fermentation process utilizing plant-based biomass without using petroleum or animal-based materials as their primary feedstock. Brewed Protein™ materials can be processed into diverse forms including fibers, films, resin materials and others, and are expected to provide a new solution for various environmental issues.

Kanematsu boasts a broad business foundation consisting of more than 130 Group companies and a large number of business partners, as well as management resources and intangible assets, including technologies, human resources, networks, value chains, and experience and knowledge in various businesses accumulated over more than 130 years since its foundation. Utilizing these management resources and intangible assets, Kanematsu will promote the adoption of Brewed Protein™ materials across multiple industries with Spiber and Kanematsu's business partners, aiming for the construction of a circular economy through the promotion of Green Transformation (GX).

About Brewed Protein™ materials

Spiber's Brewed Protein™ materials are produced through a microbial fermentation process utilizing plant-based biomass as their primary feedstock, and can be utilized for various applications. Brewed Protein™ materials are new, innovative materials that are expected to be used as alternatives for fossil fuel-based synthetic fibers, resins, synthetic leathers, adhesives, emulsifiers, and functional films; within the food industry such as in meat analogues; and in the medical field, such as for applications involving biocompatible materials. Moreover, since Brewed Protein™ materials demonstrate biodegradability in natural seawater, they are expected to be used in end products designed to address the issue of microplastic pollution caused by fossil fuel-based products. In addition to providing alternative solutions for conventional animal-based and fossil fuel-based synthetic materials, Brewed Protein™ materials are anticipated to serve as next-generation materials capable of adding characteristics and functionality which cannot be offered by conventional plant-based materials.

More information regarding Spiber's sustainability strategy and activities can be found here:

https://spiber.inc/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Spiber_Sustainability-Impact-Report_2022.pdf

About Spiber

Company name	Spiber Inc.
Head office	234-1 Mizukami, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
Established	September 2007
Business domain	Bio-venture developing Brewed Protein™ structural protein materials. Currently, production of Brewed Protein™ polymers has started at Spiber's first mass production plant in Rayong, Thailand, with production volume being steadily increased.

About Kanematsu

Company name	KANEMATSU CORPORATION
Head office	JP TOWER, 7-2 Marunouchi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-7017, Japan
Established	August, 1889
Business domain	A trading company which provides various types of commercial products and services through organic integration of networks in Japan and overseas, expertise cultivated in various business fields, and the various functions of a trading company including business transactions, information collection, market development, business development and formation, risk management, and logistics.

Contact:
Public & Investor Relation Section, Kanematsu Corporation Tel ： +81-3-6747-5000
https://www.kanematsu.co.jp/en/inquiry/

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