MHI Holds Presentation Ceremonies for Shape-memory Eating Utensil "Matching Gifts" in Headquarters Areas

The donated utensils feature a shape-memory polymer developed by MHI that makes them malleable when immersed in water heated to more than 70°C. The resulting pliability enables the shape to change, for easy gripping by the user. For people who have difficulty eating on their own because of handicaps such as weak grasping power or disability in moving their hands or shoulders, attempting to use eating utensils unsuited to their needs can be difficult and can also lower their quality of life. For these reasons, shape-memory eating utensils are eagerly welcomed.

In April 2017, MHI held presentation ceremonies at representative donation recipients, Tokyo welfare facility "Social Welfare Corporation Brotherhood Asunaro Workshop" and the "Osaka Prefectural Social Welfare Council."

At the Asunaro Workshop facility tour held after the ceremony, users gave comments such as, "It's easy to hold because you can bend the handle at an easy-to-use angle, I am happy that I can eat at my own pace." and a nutritionist commented, "Chewing stimulates the brain and assists in the recovery of physical functions." The gifts were also rated highly by the donation recipients, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Social Welfare Council, who attended the presentation ceremony, commented that shape-memory cutlery is still needed at many facilities, and expressed their hopes for further assistance from MHI. MHI therefore plans to continue these activities in the future.

The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group will continue to proactively engage in social contribution activities reflecting its CSR Action Guidelines "Close ties with the Earth," "Close ties with society" and "A bridge to the next generation."