Kao's B2B Heatstroke Prevention Business "Biore Hie Support" Promoting Regular Stocking of "Biore Cooling Towel" Exceeds 200 Adopting Companies – Towards Social Infrastructure in Diverse "Hot Workplaces" such as Construction, Logistics, and Manufacturing

Kao Corporation's skincare brand "Biore" has announced that its B2B business "Biore Hie Support" has surpassed 200 adopting companies as of May 2026. This business promotes the regular stocking of "Biore Cooling Towel" in workplaces with heatstroke risks, and has been fully launched since 2025. Amidst prolonged record-breaking heatwaves, it aims to establish heatstroke prevention as a social infrastructure.

"Biore Hie Support" expanding across various industries "Biore Hie Support" is a business that aims to reduce heatstroke risk and improve comfort by promoting the regular stocking of "Biore Cooling Towel" as part of corporate welfare and as a preparation for disasters in workplaces with heatstroke risks. It fully entered the market in 2025, against the backdrop of prolonged record-breaking heatwaves in recent years, making workplace heatstroke prevention a major social issue based on the Industrial Safety and Health Act. This initiative, which started with approximately 100 companies including Shimizu Corporation, Kuchofuku Co., Ltd., and Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. (in no particular order), has more than doubled its reach as of May 2026, before the full onset of summer. It is steadily advancing the "social infrastructure of heatstroke prevention" in various industries, not only construction sites but also logistics terminals, manufacturing plants, leisure facilities, and food service.

Factors for the expansion of adopting companies 1. Reliable cooling effect and evaluation from the field In verifications with early adopting companies, approximately 90% of respondents answered that they "were glad to have used it" *1. The cooling effect, which maintains a -3°C reduction from the skin temperature before application for 1 hour *2, is highly evaluated for contributing to improved worker comfort. *1 Kao survey, June 2025, 30 site workers at Shimizu Corporation's construction site *2 When used outdoors at 30°C (including breaks in sun and shade)

2. Synergy through combined use with Kuchofuku® Joint verification with Kuchofuku Co., Ltd. demonstrated that by placing "Biore Cooling Towel" around the neck and wearing the fan-equipped clothing "Kuchofuku®," a -6°C reduction from the skin temperature before application is maintained for approximately 30 minutes *2, further enhancing the cooling effect compared to single use. Active combined use is progressing in the field. *2 When used outdoors at 30°C (including breaks in sun and shade)

3. Highly convenient adoption scheme In addition to purchases through corporate catalog companies (such as ASKUL, smartoffice, TRUSCO), the establishment of an environment that makes it easy for companies to adopt, such as through its own e-commerce site "MyKaoMall," has led to the rapid expansion of adopting companies.

4. Responding to disaster preparedness needs Because it is a sealed pack that can be stored for 3 years, it has been chosen by various companies not only for daily heatstroke prevention but also as a disaster preparedness item.

Voices from representatives of adopting companies (in no particular order) <Shimizu Corporation> "We have been continuously utilizing it since its early adoption in the summer of 2025. We have received positive feedback from site workers such as 'The heat was reduced, and I could work hard on site.' Many workers who use it with Kuchofuku® also say, 'It cools down instantly and feels good,' and we expect it to be active again this summer." <Nippon Express Co., Ltd.> "With the obligation to prevent heatstroke in 2025, we have been working to improve the working environment for employees working in hot environments such as moving, warehouse operations, and cargo handling at customer premises. We were introduced to 'Biore Cooling Towel' and distributed it to our employees. We received a lot of positive feedback such as 'Skin temperature dropped the moment I put it on' and 'Direct external cooling is effective,' so we expect its effectiveness this summer 2026." <Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Inc.> "Last summer, we implemented heatstroke prevention measures using 'Biore Cooling Towel' at our vending machine operation sites. The ease of refreshment was well-received and contributed to improving the quality of breaks. Since it was effective in cooling down the body in a short time and creating an opportunity for breaks, we plan to continue using it this year."

Future Outlook Biore will continue to protect the skin comfort of workers and contribute to improving working environments in harsh heat conditions through "Biore Hie Support." Towards the summer of 2026, we will further strengthen information dissemination and aim to expand adopting companies and establish it as a social infrastructure.

Product Overview "Biore Cooling Towel" is a cooling sheet that maintains a -3°C reduction from the skin temperature before application for 1 hour *2. The thick sheet contains plenty of cooling water that absorbs heat and evaporates. The action of evaporative cooling continuously dissipates heat (hotness) from the skin. It is 46cm long and can be used around the neck. It is individually packaged for use whenever needed, and its sealed pack allows for 3 years of storage, making it suitable for disaster preparedness. *2 When used outdoors at 30°C (including breaks in sun and shade)