The eco-friendly paper capsule “eco-Pon,” jointly entered by K2 STATION Co., Ltd., Rengo Co., Ltd., and DAIHO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., received the Director General, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, one of the Japan Star Awards—the highest award category at the 2026 Japan Packaging Contest. Held annually by the Japan Packaging Institute, the contest is a prestigious program in Japan’s packaging field, recognizing outstanding packaging of the year across a broad range of criteria, including materials, design, technology, functionality, and logistics. Winning entries also qualify for the WorldStar and AsiaStar packaging competitions.

“eco-Pon” is a paper-based capsule developed through product planning by Rengo Co., Ltd. and K2 Station Co., Ltd., using DAIHO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.’s patented pulp injection molding technology, D-PIM®. Made primarily from 60% pulp and 40% starch, it is biodegradable and recyclable, produces no harmful substances when incinerated, and does not generate microplastics. Its manufacturing process reduces CO2 emissions by 25% compared with polypropylene containers.

The award-winning product is eligible for exhibition at the 2026 Good Packaging Exhibition, held within TOKYO PACK 2026 at Tokyo Big Sight from October 14 to 16, 2026. Rengo Co., Ltd. is also scheduled to present the development of “eco-Pon” at the 2026 Packaging Forum on October 16.

Daiho will continue working closely with its partners to expand the potential of D-PIM® and contribute to a more sustainable society through environmentally responsible manufacturing.

<Award Details>

Organizer: Japan Packaging Institute

Contest: 2026 Japan Packaging Contest

Award: Japan Star Award — Director General, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Award

Award-Winning Entry: Spin It Green! An Eco-Friendly Paper Capsule: eco-Pon

Joint Entrants: K2 STATION Co., Ltd.; Rengo Co., Ltd.; DAIHO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.

Award Ceremony: September 9, 2026

Official Information: https://www.jpi.or.jp/saiji/jpc/attention2026.html

Contest Information and Past Winners: Japan Packaging Contest, Japan Packaging Institute