Kyocera Introduces Plastic-Free Retail Packaging for Ceramic Knives & Kitchenware

NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO BOOTH #3425

San Diego, Calif., Feb. 17, 2023 – Kyocera, a leader in ceramic cutlery since 1984, will introduce 100% plastic-free packaging for its line of ceramic knives and kitchen tools during the U.S. Natural Products Expo West 2023 in Anaheim, Calif., March 9-11, 2023 (Booth 3425, Hall D). The new packaging is part of Kyocera’s global sustainability commitment, and will reduce the company’s total plastics use by more than 20 tons per year — a CO2 reduction impact equal to more than 570,000 trees — from packaging ceramic knives and kitchen products alone.*

Globally, Kyocera has formulated a long-term plastic recycling and elimination strategy in line with the Osaka G20 recommendations, aiming to eliminate new plastic pollution in the marine environment by 2050. Kyocera strives to assess the sustainability of all products during the development phase, using the following three criteria:

1. Global Warming Prevention and Energy Saving
2. Resource Recycling
3. Environmental Conservation and Product Safety

As a result, the plastics-reduction initiative will expand beyond consumer products to become an important part of Kyocera’s environmental preservation efforts in all product divisions in the future.

Emphasizing Both Sustainability and Safety

When redesigning the ceramic knife and kitchen tools packaging to eliminate plastic, sustainability and safety were key priorities. This required a complete package redevelopment to ensure that the ultra-sharp

ceramic knives would remain secured safely in place by the new paper and cardboard materials, as they did with plastic. The new interior cardboard inlay holds the knives securely in place, protects the blades in transit, and can be repurposed to store the knife after purchase. The colorful new packaging emphasizes whole-foods cooking and the key benefits of using ceramic knives for easy meal preparation — including new pictograms highlighting “hand-sharpened blades”, “dishwasher safe”, “lightweight” and “extremely sharp”. The new packaging will be available in four languages (English, Spanish, French and German), and will roll out in retail channels selling Kyocera’s ceramic knives first in key markets of the Americas, Europe, Asia and Oceania beginning in late spring 2023. Kyocera’s mandoline slicers, peelers and graters will begin adopting the new plastic-free packaging in late summer.