[Translated from Japanese:] Form Times, September 25, 1999

Hanix, JDB, Import and Distributing Entirely Biodegradable Plastic

Biocorp Developed Containing Mater-Bi as Key Ingredient

Hanix (Okudo 1-6-10, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo (03) 3697-3068) and trade affiliate JDB Network (Higashi Ueno 1-14-10, Taito-ku, Tokyo) have the exclusive rights to import and distribute plastic "Biocorp Products" developed by Biocorp (Biocorp USA, Inc.), which do not release dioxin when incinerated and are 100% biodegradable. These products are being sold from the twentieth of this month.

These Biocorp Products have as their key ingredient, Mater-Bi (corn starch and a polymer alloy of denatured poly-vinyl alcohol), which Novamont, of Italy spent 5 years developing.

In Japan, although Nippon Gosei (head office: Kita-ku, Osaka) has a technical alliance with Novamont for special extrusion molded products, Biocorp has an alliance with Novamont and has a substantial production system for the biodegradable polymer and has been successful in low-cost high-volume manufacturing.

Including Biocorp, there are only two firms that have passed the these standards. [Biocorp products] also has the approval to bear the "OK Compost" label, which are similar European standards.

Hanix affiliate, JDB Network, has established a Biocorp Division to serve as the contact point and handle sales in the Japan market.

To be sold during the first phase are: 1) garbage and carrying bags made of biodegradable film, 2) knife, fork, and spoon cutlery items made of biodegradable plastic, and 3) three types of food service items: coated plates, cups and bowls. All will be modified to suit the Japanese system. As a standard for pricing, they will cost from 1.2 to 2.4 times that of conventional products in Japan. This will vary according to the amount sold.

"Biocorp Products" attracted attention and were received well at the "International Symposium of Bio-Recycling/Composting" that was attended by persons from around that world and was held for 3 days starting this past September 6 at Sapporo University.