Askul to Launch New Paper Holders (Visible Type/Hidden Type) on July 3

Askul Corporation (Head Office: Koto-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Akira Yoshioka; hereinafter "Askul") will launch its original stationery "Paper Holders <Visible Type/Hidden Type>" (20 sheets per pack, 100 sheets per pack) on July 3 through its BtoB e-commerce service "ASKUL" and "SOHLEARENA," and its BtoC e-commerce service "LOHACO."

In recent years, in addition to growing environmental awareness, stable procurement of plastic products has become a significant challenge due to fluctuating raw material prices and supply uncertainties. In light of this situation, we believe there is a demand for new options for clear holders, which are frequently used in various workplaces, leading us to develop paper holders.

This product is available in two types: "Visible Type" and "Hidden Type," allowing for use according to purpose. In addition to environmental considerations, it offers a new option that adapts to changes in the procurement environment, achieving both usability and an affordable price. It is a new document holder that meets a wide range of needs.

"Paper Holders <Visible Type/Hidden Type>"

Background of Paper Holder Development

In recent years, there has been increasing demand for environmentally friendly products, particularly among businesses, in response to the promotion of plastic resource circulation. Furthermore, recent fluctuations in raw material prices and supply conditions have altered the procurement environment for plastic products, increasing attention on alternative materials. As a provider of "daily necessities for the workplace," we are expanding our lineup of original products that not only consider the environment but also adapt to changes in the procurement environment. As a company with a significant share in the plastic clear holder market, we have also established our unique "Used Clear Holder Collection and Recycling Scheme" and are promoting initiatives to collect, sort, and reprocess used clear holders from domestic businesses into new products.

Recently, there has been a trend, especially among large corporations, to refrain not only from recycling plastic products but also from their use and purchase, leading to a shift towards paper eco-files for clear holders. While traditional paper holders have faced challenges in terms of price and usability, we have developed this new product as a highly practical and affordable option that considers both environmental friendliness and changes in the procurement environment for businesses.

Usage of Clear Holders and Development Direction

Clear holders are primarily characterized by their convenience in protecting, temporarily organizing, storing, and transporting documents. Plastic versions are widely used in all workplaces due to their advantages such as visibility of contents, ease of insertion and removal, water-repellent material, and durability. On the other hand, paper versions are advantageous for their opacity, ease of printing and writing, disposal as burnable waste without sorting, and ability to be shredded along with the file. They are particularly popular in professions handling personal or confidential information. The advantages and disadvantages of the two are diametrically opposed. Once accustomed to plastic versions, which hold a large market share, paper versions are often perceived as having many disadvantages and being more expensive. While paper versions have a certain demand, factors have hindered their widespread adoption.

In our development process, we conducted a survey (※) targeting business users to understand the main uses and benefits of paper holders. The primary use was "document submission/sending" at approximately 40%, including submitting documents to clients, company brochures, and estimates/proposals with company names. Regarding benefits, "printable/writable" accounted for about 30%, "environmentally friendly" about 27%, and "contents not visible" about 20%. Based on these results, our development focused on the "benefit of visibility/invisibility of contents" beyond material properties.

(※) Telephone survey: n=94 (conducted in April 2025)

Product Development Features and Characteristics

This product is a holder made entirely from FSC-certified paper without the use of plastic, designed as an environmentally conscious product with a focus on single-material composition. To address the challenges of switching from familiar plastic holders to paper ones, we offer two types: "Visible Type" and "Hidden Type."

The "Visible Type" features a unique structure with numerous small perforations, making it easy to identify contents, while the "Hidden Type" utilizes the characteristic opacity of paper to conceal the documents inside. Both types offer advantages unique to paper, such as direct writing with pencils and ballpoint pens, easy printing with multifunction copiers, no need for sorting during disposal, and reduced mailing costs due to their lightweight nature.

Furthermore, the 100-sheet pack uses a cardboard box package to prevent contents from bending. The 20-sheet pack uses a paper envelope type. While in the past, even environmentally friendly main products might have used plastic packaging, this product maintains a commitment to single-material by making the packaging entirely paper.

In terms of pricing, we have set the price per sheet for the large-capacity pack to be competitive even with lower-priced clear holders in the market, allowing users to consider switching to paper while potentially using both plastic and paper types initially. This new document holder considers environmental friendliness, usability, and cost.

【Product Overview】

Product Name: Paper Holders <Visible Type/Hidden Type> A4

Contents: 20 sheets, 100 sheets

Price: ¥228 (incl. tax) per bag (20 sheets), ¥889 (incl. tax) per box (100 sheets)

Sales Channels: BtoB: "ASKUL," "SOHLEARENA"; BtoC: "LOHACO"

Release Date: July 3, 2026 (Fri)

Product Pages:

ASKUL

Paper Holder <Visible Type> 1 bag (20 sheets): https://www.askul.co.jp/p/APA4006/

Paper Holder <Hidden Type> 1 bag (20 sheets): https://www.askul.co.jp/p/APA4003/

LOHACO

Paper Holder <Visible Type> 1 bag (20 sheets):

https://lohaco.yahoo.co.jp/store/h-lohaco/item/APA4027/

Paper Holder <Hidden Type> 1 bag (20 sheets):

https://lohaco.yahoo.co.jp/store/h-lohaco/item/APA4026/

Askul will continue to strive for "ethical e-commerce" by strengthening its offerings of everyday necessities for the workplace (= daily necessities for the workplace) and developing original products for the realization of a sustainable society.

【About Askul Corporation】

Askul is an e-commerce company that operates the BtoB mail-order service "ASKUL" and the BtoC mail-order service "LOHACO." We deliver "tomorrow" nationwide from our 10 self-operated e-commerce logistics centers across the country. "ASKUL" offers over 15 million items for all workplaces, ranging from stationery, office supplies, and daily necessities to specialized products for manufacturing and construction industries, as well as medical supplies such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. "LOHACO" delivers a wide range of products, from daily necessities like beverages, food, detergents, kitchen supplies, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, to pet supplies, interior goods, and LOHACO original products. In recent years, we have advocated for "ethical e-commerce" and are strengthening our initiatives in developing circular economy products and reducing product waste to solve social issues.

*The information contained in this release is current as of the date of publication. Please note that it may be subject to change without notice.