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Dec. 23, 2024Press Release

Sysmex Becomes the First in the Industry to Launch Reagents Using Horizontally Recycled Containers

Sysmex Corporation (HQ: Kobe, Japan; President: Kaoru Asano) will begin selling, as the first of its kind in the industry,¹ the HISCL™ Line Washing Solution Concentrated (“the product”),² in horizontally recycled³ containers made from plastic reagent bottles, in Japan, starting from January 2025.

This initiative addresses the challenge of realizing horizontal recycling of medical containers, which has been considered difficult in the healthcare industry, by carrying out key quality assurance　processes in the recycling of used plastic reagent containers ("used containers") into raw materials, thereby securing recycled resin suitable for medical grade products. This will curb the consumption of virgin resin resources made only from virgin materials, reduce CO₂ emissions from the disposal of used containers, and prepare for potential increases in raw material prices.

Going forward, we will work to expand the range of reagent products that feature horizontally recycled containers, starting with this product, and promote the realization of a circular resource value chain in the medical field.

In recent years, environmental issues such as the health risks caused by climate change have become major challenges facing the entire world. In the healthcare industry, an increasing number of medical institutions both in Japan and overseas are placing emphasis on consideration for the environment and a circular resource initiative. Sysmex has formulated "Eco-social Strategy" as one of its basic strategies in its long-term management strategy for the term ending in fiscal 2033 as an initiative to strengthen the connection between corporate activities and the resolution of social issues, and is promoting activities aimed at realizing a circular resource value chain.

Sysmex is working with container manufacturers to develop a process to collect, crush, clean, and dry used containers, and then turn them into raw materials in order to realize horizontal recycling of containers for medical use, which has been considered difficult in the healthcare industry. As the first horizontally recycled product under this initiative, the product features a container co-developed with ZACROS Corporation (HQ: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Taku Shimoda). Additionally, by establishing key quality assurance processes, we are able to prevent contamination of collected used containers and to turn them into recycled containers using medical-grade recycled resin. This process, which ensures the absence of foreign matter in the recycled materials, reduces resource consumption of virgin resin by approximately 30%, and decreases CO₂ emissions (approximately 15 tons per year)⁴ associated with the incineration of used containers generated within our own factories (approximately 5 tons per year). Furthermore, reducing resource use is expected to have a cost-saving effect in response to future environmental regulations and rising prices of plastic raw materials due to inflation, as well as to contribute to a stable supply of products.

Going forward, Sysmex will work to expand the range of reagent products that feature horizontally recycled containers while complying with waste disposal regulations. Furthermore, we will promote green innovation together with various stakeholders and work towards realizing a circular resource value chain.

A circular resource value chain

References

	Sysmex Eco-Vision 2033 https://www.sysmex.co.jp/en/csr/environment/management/index.html

	Resource Circulation in Product Lifecycle https://www.sysmex.co.jp/en/csr/environment/lifecycle/

Terminology

Sysmex research

HISCL™ Line Washing Solution Concentrated:
The product, a 25-fold concentrated reagent used as a nozzle cleaning solution for the Automated Immunoassay System HISCL™-5000/HISCL™-800, is diluted on the device, reducing the frequency of replacement, and CO₂ emissions during transportation.

Name	Medical Device Marketing Authorization Number in Japan
Automated Immunoassay System HISCL-5000	28B1X10014000011
Automated Immunoassay System HISCL-800	28B1X10014000012

Horizontal recycling:
A recycling method in which used products are re-used as raw materials to manufacture the same type of products again

This is an estimate by Sysmex, based on the information from the manufacturer, that 500g of CO₂ is generated when 160g of a similar plastic container is incinerated, multiplied by the amount of used containers generated by our company.

About Sysmex Corporation

Sysmex Corporation, headquartered in Kobe, Japan, is a global leader in in vitro diagnostics. Since its foundation in 1968, Sysmex has focused on diagnostics as the core of its business, and today, it supports the health of people in over 190 countries and regions worldwide. Sysmex continues to innovate in diagnostics, and to collaboratively create unique values in the areas of personalized medicine and novel treatments, under its long-term vision of "Together for a better healthcare journey." Through its unique technology, solutions, and co-creation with various partners, Sysmex delivers new value and addresses the universal desire of people to live longer and healthier lives. For more information about Sysmex, please visit www.sysmex.co.jp/en/.

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The purpose of this news release is to communicate our business activities to our stakeholders. It may or may not include information about Sysmex's products or their research and development, but this is not intended for promotion, advertising or medical advice. The information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the announcement but may be subject to change without prior notice.

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