Press ReleasesLaunch of SPOPS Business in the Korean Market, Global Expansion

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director: Toru Nozawa, Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter "our company") is expanding its SPOPS business into the South Korean market.

We have signed a contract with NOTRAC Inc., a company that operates a lifestyle brand in South Korea, for the development and sales of products utilizing SPOPS. As the first step in this business expansion, products such as shampoos and body soaps using SPOPS will be released in the South Korean market under the "ECOJE" brand of South Korean cosmetics manufacturer UCL Co., Ltd. by 2024. Additionally, preparations are underway for the release of products from other brands.

SPOPS is a sustainable packaging solution that utilizes a "replacement-type refill" system, where a paper pack is set into a dedicated dispenser for use. This system not only improves user convenience by reducing the hassle of refilling but also has been recognized for its environmental compatibility, including reducing plastic waste by using paper packs made primarily from biomass. As a result, the adoption of SPOPS has been decided. In South Korea, a dedicated filling machine for SPOPS has already been introduced to UCL Co., which also operates a cosmetics OEM business, establishing a production system.

The cosmetics industry in South Korea is garnering global attention, and our entry into the South Korean market is an opportunity for SPOPS to expand globally. Starting with our business expansion in South Korea, we aim to enhance the global recognition of SPOPS and strengthen our role as an innovator in sustainable product development.

The products featured in this press release will be exhibited at TOKYO PACK 2024, held at Tokyo Big Sight from October 23-25.

About NOTRAC Inc.

NOTRAC Inc. is a global lifestyle brand specializing in eco-friendly daily necessities. By combining SPOPS technology with eco-pumps, they provide solutions for various situations, including airlines, hotels, hospitals, and homes (Website: https://notrac.co.kr/). Together with NOTRAC Inc., we will actively promote the sales of SPOPS and the development of sustainable products not only in Japan but also in overseas markets.

What is SPOPS?

POPS is a new concept paper container developed for daily necessities and cosmetics, utilizing the manufacturing technology of beverage paper packs accumulated by our company. It is used by setting a paper pack filled with contents into a dedicated dispenser (an outer container with a pump) and replacing the paper pack like a cartridge when it is empty.

SPOPS is a packaging that enables both "improved convenience: 1) time-saving 2) reduction of leftovers 3) improved storage efficiency" and "environmental response: 1) reduction of single-use plastics 2) improved packaging and transportation efficiency (reduction of CO2 emissions during transportation)." In particular, concerning single-use plastics, it can reduce by 25-40% compared to refill pouches of the same capacity.

Since its concept announcement at Tokyo Pack 2016, SPOPS has received significant attention and was introduced in TV Tokyo's economic program "World Business Satellite" in the "Trend Egg (Toretama)" segment, winning the "Toretama Annual Award Excellence Prize" the same year. Additionally, it has received high acclaim domestically and internationally, such as winning the "Best Sustainability Award" at the LIFE×DESIGN Awards in 2019, the "Japan Star Award Chairman's Award of the Japan Packaging Institute" at the Japan Packaging Contest in 2020, and the "WorldStar 2023" organized by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) in 2023.

In 2019, the first product using SPOPS, "Dakekanba Body Soap," was released by Nippon Paper Development, followed by the adoption in shampoos, conditioners, body soaps, hotel amenities, hand sanitizers, and more.


Introduction Video of SPOPS https://youtu.be/bSY5JtRgRaY

Detailed explanation of SPOPS https://www.nipponpapergroup.com/products/package/development/spops.html