Unicharm Wins Runner-Up Prize at the 18th Japan Marketing Awards for World's First 'RefF' Horizontal Recycling Technology for Used Diapers
Unicharm announced that its 'RefF' horizontal recycling initiative for used diapers received the runner-up prize at the 18th Japan Marketing Awards. The award recognizes the company's circular resource model and contribution to a sustainable future. Following its 2024 launch in Kyushu, 'Mamypoko Pants RefF' will expand its sales area to the Kanto region starting in May 2026.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 22:04
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 20, 2026 at 08:18 (18h 47m after Collected)
Unicharm Corporation has announced that its 'RefF' initiative, the world's first horizontal recycling technology for used paper pants (diapers), was honored as a runner-up at the 18th Japan Marketing Awards hosted by the Japan Marketing Association.
The Japan Marketing Awards program was established in 2007 to encourage the development of new marketing methods and business models by companies, municipalities, and organizations, aiming to improve consumer lives, stimulate the economy and society, and raise the prestige of marketing. The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 12, 2026.
'RefF' was recognized for its model that establishes a system from collection to resource regeneration through collaboration with local governments, consumers, and waste generators, realizing resource circulation on a societal scale. Its commitment to resource circulation and leadership in creating a sustainable future were highly praised.
'RefF' transforms used diapers that were previously incinerated into safe, hygienic pulp using proprietary ozone processing technology, contributing to CO2 emission reduction. 'Mamypoko Pants RefF,' which partially uses this recycled pulp, was launched in the Kyushu region in 2024 and will expand its sales area primarily to the Kanto region starting in May 2026.
The Japan Marketing Awards program was established in 2007 to encourage the development of new marketing methods and business models by companies, municipalities, and organizations, aiming to improve consumer lives, stimulate the economy and society, and raise the prestige of marketing. The awards ceremony is scheduled for June 12, 2026.
'RefF' was recognized for its model that establishes a system from collection to resource regeneration through collaboration with local governments, consumers, and waste generators, realizing resource circulation on a societal scale. Its commitment to resource circulation and leadership in creating a sustainable future were highly praised.
'RefF' transforms used diapers that were previously incinerated into safe, hygienic pulp using proprietary ozone processing technology, contributing to CO2 emission reduction. 'Mamypoko Pants RefF,' which partially uses this recycled pulp, was launched in the Kyushu region in 2024 and will expand its sales area primarily to the Kanto region starting in May 2026.
FAQ
What is RefF?
It is the world's first horizontal recycling technology developed by Unicharm that creates paper diapers from used paper diapers.
Where is it sold?
Launched in Kyushu in 2024, and expanding sales mainly to the Kanto region from May 2026.
What kind of process is used?
The collected diapers undergo proprietary ozone processing to recycle them into safe, hygienic pulp.