hide kasuga 1896 Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hideyuki Kasuga) has been selected for the '300 Soaring SMEs and Small-Scale Entrepreneurs' initiative, which honors small and medium-sized enterprises demonstrating innovation in business transformation and new ventures, with high potential to contribute to regional and national economic growth. On May 29, 2026, Hideyuki Kasuga, President and CEO of the company, attended the award ceremony held at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) auditorium as an awardee. Two Key Evaluation Points Behind the Award The award recognized two circular economy initiatives advanced by the company: 1. Development and societal implementation of recycling technologies for PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), along with the creation of markets and circular systems, addressing concerns over the potential depletion of this critical resource. 2. Development of TRANSWOOD®, an eco-compatible material that is entirely bio-based and highly recyclable, and the ongoing construction and implementation of a circular platform centered on TRANSWOOD®. 1 About BLANC BIJOU PARIS®, the Brand of Eternal Whiteness Realizing Resource Circulation through New Market Creation for PTFE PTFE is an essential material in the semiconductor industry. However, its raw material, fluorite, faces potential future depletion, while most used PTFE is currently disposed of in landfills. In response, Hideyuki Kasuga has worked to establish a circular scheme for PTFE based on the concept of 'creation and regeneration'. Recognizing the sensory value in the enduring whiteness and uniquely smooth texture of PTFE—a fluoropolymer previously unseen by general consumers—he founded the luxury consumer brand BLANC BIJOU PARIS® in Paris, France, in 2009. By transforming PTFE into art pieces, tableware, and fine jewelry, the company opened new possibilities for a material previously limited to industrial applications, successfully creating a new c