[Adapted for Extreme Weather and Diversifying Needs] CLAS and Mitsubishi Electric Begin Joint Demonstration Experiment to Build a Circular Business Model for Air Conditioners

(CLAS Service Site: https://clas.style/)

CLAS Inc. (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hirotake Kubo; hereinafter "CLAS"), which is building a circular ecosystem for interiors, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Kei Uruma; hereinafter "Mitsubishi Electric"), will begin a Proof of Concept (PoC) for a circular business model for wall-mounted air conditioners through the furniture and home appliance rental subscription service "CLAS".
Please note that this demonstration experiment will stop accepting applications as soon as the planned number is reached.

Air conditioners are products that contribute extremely heavily to the circular economy from the perspective of resource efficiency in manufacturing and usage. In this demonstration experiment, we will combine Mitsubishi Electric's extensive knowledge in high technology and quality assurance cultivated over many years with CLAS's circular platform to formulate quality standards and verify the operation for the "circular use (second-cycle use)" of air conditioners.

In response to modern social issues such as the reduction of high room temperatures caused by severe heatwaves that pose heatstroke risks, the shift in needs from "disposable to circular use," and the realization of a decarbonized society, we present a new option to "share high-quality air conditioners across society and use them for a long time."

Background and Purpose of Starting the Demonstration Experiment

■ Building an Operational Foundation for the Circular Use of Air Conditioners
Air conditioners account for a large percentage of household power consumption and are products strongly required to improve resource utilization efficiency. For CLAS, which operates a circular platform for consumer durables, the circular use of air conditioners has been one of the most important themes for realizing a true resource-circular society.
In this demonstration experiment, we will fuse the hardware value of "high durability and reliability" of Mitsubishi Electric's products with the "know-how to circulate products" cultivated by CLAS. Through this, we aim to build a "new circular usage network" that updates the lifecycle of home appliances itself.

■ Popularization of "Air Conditioning Infrastructure" to Maintain a Comfortable Air Environment Even in Extreme Weather
As severe heatwaves continue, air conditioners have become an essential lifeline for maintaining a comfortable air environment. The purpose of this initiative is to verify whether it is possible to provide a safe air conditioning environment for various needs by offering Mitsubishi Electric's high-quality air conditioners through a monthly subscription model that reduces the burden of initial costs.
We will encourage smooth replacements from "old air conditioners with high utility bills" and "older models with uncertain performance" to the latest models with high energy-saving performance, supporting continuous updates to a constantly comfortable and efficient air conditioning environment.

■ Visualizing Residual Value and the Challenge of Zero Waste
For products returned after use, going forward Mitsubishi Electric...