法人別リリース

Nippon Shokubai’s U.S. Group Company Acquires ISCC PLUS Certification for Acrylic Acid ...

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, June 26, 2025 /Kyodo JBN/ --
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
Nippon Shokubai’s U.S. Group Company Acquires ISCC PLUS Certification for Acrylic Acid and Superabsorbent Polymers

- Contributing to Reduction of Environmental Impact in Applications Such as Paints and Disposable Diapers through Nippon Shokubai’s Global Supply System -

Nippon Shokubai Group companies in the United States have acquired ISCC PLUS certification (*1) for acrylic acid (hereinafter "AA") and superabsorbent polymers (hereinafter "SAP") produced locally. This enables Nippon Shokubai Group to globally supply AA and SAP with a carbon footprint considered net zero (*2).

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202506200915-O1-Wq5vrD6t

AA is widely used as a raw material for paints and adhesives, and serves as a key ingredient in SAP, which is used in disposable diapers. As a leading global supplier of AA and SAP, Nippon Shokubai Group has been working to obtain ISCC PLUS certification for products manufactured in Belgium, Japan, and Indonesia since 2021. Following the recent certification in the United States, Nippon Shokubai Group has established a four-region global supply system for ISCC PLUS-certified AA and SAP using biomass-derived raw materials allocated via the mass balance method (*3). This enables the global supply of AA and SAP with a carbon footprint considered net zero.

Through promoting the use of ISCC PLUS-certified AA and SAP, Nippon Shokubai Group aims to contribute to reducing environmental impact across the supply chain and to advancing a circular economy. Toward carbon neutrality by 2050, Nippon Shokubai Group will continue to implement the "transformation" outlined in its long-term vision and mid-term management plan to enhance customer value.

* Nippon Shokubai Group commits and declares its compliance with the ISCC PLUS requirements in accordance with the latest ISCC regulations.

The products obtained ISCC PLUS certification this time: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202506200915/_prw_PI2fl_IL4F33Ba.jpg

Photo: Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc. https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202506200915/_prw_PI3fl_691SvD16.jpg

(*1) ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification): It is a third-party certification program developed by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system GmbH based in Germany to manage and guarantee sustainable raw materials and products such as biomass and recycled materials in the supply chain.

(*2) Carbon footprint considered net zero: ISCC PLUS-certified products incorporate the biogenic CO2 removal associated with biomass growth into their carbon footprint calculations. The carbon footprints of these products are considered effectively net zero through the proportionally offset based on the share of biomass-derived feedstock allocated using the mass balance method.

(*3) The mass balance method: When biomass-derived and petroleum-derived raw materials are used together in production, the proportion of biomass input can be allocated to specific end products. This method is officially recognized under the ISCC PLUS certification system.

About Nippon Shokubai Group companies: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202506200915-O1-4JICV7Gu.pdf

For more information: https://www.shokubai.co.jp/en

Nippon Shokubai Plans to Expand Its GMP-compliant Nucleic Acid Drug API Manufacturing ...

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 15:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, June 24, 2025 /Kyodo JBN/ --
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD. headquartered in Osaka, Japan, has announced a plan to expand its GMP (*1)-compliant manufacturing capacity for nucleic acid drug "active pharmaceutical ingredients" (APIs) tenfold in response to rapidly growing global demand in the nucleic acid drug market.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202506180762-O1-70uPn32K

Nucleic acid drugs are generally defined as "chemically synthesized drugs with oligonucleotides as active ingredients that exert their effects without being translated into proteins." (*2) As a new modality following small molecule and antibody drugs, they are expected to be applied in areas such as rare diseases, neurological disorders, and cancers -- fields where conventional treatments have been limited.

The global market for nucleic acid drugs is projected to exceed 1,400 billion yen by 2030 (*3). In line with this, the global CDMO (*4) market for nucleic acid drugs is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 14% from 2021 to 2030, reaching 200 billion yen by 2030 (*3). Against the backdrop of market expansion, pharmaceutical companies in Japan and abroad have expressed strong expectations for the enhancement of Nippon Shokubai’s GMP-compliant manufacturing facilities.

The capacity expansion will involve the installation of a large-scale production line with ten times the capacity (several kilograms per batch) of the company’s existing line. The new facility is scheduled to begin operation in 2027, making it one of Japan’s largest CDMOs, capable of manufacturing nucleic acid drug APIs for common diseases that require large-scale supply. The company will strengthen its manufacturing system to meet a wide range of needs, from non-clinical stages to large-scale commercial production.

GMP-compliant manufacturing facility in Osaka: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202506180762/_prw_PI2fl_024c9kQ0.png

Leveraging Nippon Shokubai’s long-standing expertise in organic synthesis and rigorous quality control systems, the company manufactures oligonucleotides and peptides, which are medium-sized molecule APIs. Its GMP-compliant facilities, among the most advanced in Japan, have been audited and visited by multiple pharmaceutical companies, all of which have given high evaluations, establishing Nippon Shokubai’s strong reputation in the industry. The company will continue to provide flexible contract manufacturing services that meet diverse needs and contribute to a sustainable society by ensuring a stable supply of medium-sized molecule APIs that support human health and life.

(*1) GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice -- standards for manufacturing and quality control of pharmaceuticals
(*2) Source: National Institute of Health Sciences. (n.d.). Division of Molecular Target and Gene Therapy Products, Section 2. Retrieved June 17, 2025, from https://www.nihs.go.jp/mtgt/section2.html
(*3) Source: TPC Marketing Research Corp., "2023 Global Nucleic Acid Drug CDMO Market"
(*4) CDMO: Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization

About NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202506180762-O1-3r7974vt.pdf

For more information: https://www.shokubai.co.jp/en

Nippon Shokubai Announces Indonesian Subsidiary’s Plan to Expand ...

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 15:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, Aug. 2, 2024 /Kyodo JBN/ --
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD. (hereinafter "Nippon Shokubai") headquartered in Osaka, Japan, hereby announces that the company resolved, at its board meeting held on July 30, 2024, to give approval to an investment plan at PT. NIPPON SHOKUBAI INDONESIA (hereinafter "NSI"). The plan is to build a superabsorbent polymer (hereinafter "SAP") plant capable of producing 50,000 metric tons per year ("t/y"), as follows.

Logo: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202407314414/_prw_PI2fl_e6rk0zC2.png

1. Background of investment
SAP, one of Nippon Shokubai’s core products, shows steady growth of demand as a key material for diapers globally, particularly in the regions where their populations are anticipated to increase rapidly.

As a result of the study, Nippon Shokubai decided to expand the capacity of NSI as it had already expanded its production facility of acrylic acid (hereinafter "AA") by 100,000 t/y (total AA capacity after the expansion: 240,000 t/y) and can take advantage of its strength from the vertically integrated production from AA to SAP to meet the strong demand growth in the Asian region in anticipation of synergistic effects with the existing plant. On the other hand, for the old SAP production facilities with relatively low productivity in Himeji, Japan, Nippon Shokubai will consider stopping some of these facilities to optimize Nippon Shokubai’s global SAP supply network in future.

2. Feature of investment
Production capacity: SAP 50,000 t/y
(current capacity 90,000 t/y, total 140,000 t/y after completion)
Schedule: Mechanical completion -- January 2027
Commercial operation -- July 2027
Location: Existing plant site of NSI
Investment amount: Approx. 110 million USD

3. Corporate outline of NSI
Established: August 1996
Location: Cilegon, Banten Province, Republic of Indonesia (head office and plant)
Representative: Shinichiro Yoshimoto (Mr.) President Director
Description of business: Manufacture and sale of acrylic acid, acrylates, and superabsorbent polymers
Capital: 120 million USD(paid-in capital), 99.9% contributed by Nippon Shokubai
Number of employees: 448 (as of March 31, 2024)
Website: https://shokubai.co.id/

Photo: PT. NIPPON SHOKUBAI INDONESIA
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202407314414/_prw_PI1fl_5OeBzfD7.jpg

Related release:
Inauguration Ceremony Held for a New Acrylic Acid Facility in Indonesia (May 24, 2023)
https://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/news/2023052412480/

About NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202407314414-O1-bEqjgA2r.pdf

For more information: https://www.shokubai.co.jp/en

Nippon Shokubai's Subsidiary in Indonesia Begins Manufacturing and Marketing Halal-certified...

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Wed, 29 May 2024 15:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, May 29, 2024 /Kyodo JBN/ --
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
- Contributing to Reducing Environmental Impact of Paints, Diapers, etc. throughout Product Supply Chain -

PT. NIPPON SHOKUBAI INDONESIA (hereinafter "NSI"), the Indonesian subsidiary of NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD., headquartered in Osaka, Japan, has acquired an ISCC PLUS* certification for Acrylic Acid, Acrylates, and Superabsorbent Polymers and begun manufacturing and marketing these products. With this certification, Nippon Shokubai Group has established in Belgium, Japan, and Indonesia a global supply system to manufacture and market certified products that use biomass-derived raw materials allocated by the mass balance method.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202405241263-O1-wt488VR8

Acrylic acid and acrylates are widely used as raw materials for paints, adhesives, etc. Superabsorbent polymers are raw materials for disposable diapers. By providing ISCC PLUS-certified products to customers, Nippon Shokubai Group will contribute to the reduction of environmental impact throughout the product supply chain as well as to a circular economy.

Products manufactured and marketed under ISCC PLUS certification are also certified by the Indonesian Halal certification authority as they have been before.

Growing global interest in addressing climate change issues has increased demand for biomass products. Halal certification is required in an expanding number of fields and products in regions with large Muslim populations. Nippon Shokubai Group will respond to these demands not only in Indonesia and Southeast Asia but also on a global scale by manufacturing and selling Halal-certified and biomass-derived products at NSI. Aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the group will implement the transformation outlined in its long-term vision and mid-term management plan to help increase customer value and realize a sustainable society.

*ISCC PLUS certification is a third-party certification program of the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system based in Germany to manage and guarantee sustainable raw materials and products such as biomass and recycled materials in the supply chains.

Nippon Shokubai Group commits and declares its compliance with the ISCC PLUS requirements in accordance with the latest ISCC regulations.

ISCC PLUS Certified and Halal Certified Products
- Acrylic acid
- Acrylates: Ethyl Acrylate, Butyl Acrylate, 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate
- Superabsorbent Polymers: AQUALIC (TM) CA

PT. NIPPON SHOKUBAI INDONESIA Profile
Established: August 1996
Location: Cilegon, Banten Province, Republic of Indonesia (head office and plant)
Representative: Shinichiro Yoshimoto
Description of business: Manufacture and sale of acrylic acid, acrylates, and superabsorbent polymers
Capital: 120 million USD (paid-in capital) 99.9% contributed by Nippon Shokubai
Number of employees: 448 (As of the end of March 2024)
Website: https://shokubai.co.id/

Photo: PT. NIPPON SHOKUBAI INDONESIA
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202405241263/_prw_PI2fl_7MtOjIRc.png

Related releases: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202405241263-O3-yX3R32Mv.pdf

About NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/attach/202405241263-O2-L1s5sgVL.pdf

For more information: https://www.shokubai.co.jp/en

Nippon Shokubai Obtains ISCC PLUS for Superabsorbent Polymers Derived from Caustic Soda Produced ...

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 15:00:00 +0900

TOKYO, Mar. 7, 2022 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Obtains ISCC PLUS for Superabsorbent Polymers Derived from Caustic Soda Produced from Renewable Energy

Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Nippon Shokubai"), working to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, announces that it has obtained ISCC PLUS certification from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification system (ISCC) (*1) for superabsorbent polymers (SAP) made by its subsidiary Nippon Shokubai Europe N.V. (hereinafter NSE) from caustic soda produced using electricity generated from renewable energy.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202203028033/_prw_PI1fl_yq6XKG48.jpg

SAP, commonly used in disposable diapers, is mainly made from acrylic acid produced from propylene and caustic soda. In May 2021, NSE received ISCC PLUS certification (mass balance method (*2)) from ISCC for the production of SAP utilizing acrylic acid produced from biomass-derived propylene. It has now obtained ISCC PLUS certification for sustainable SAP made from caustic soda produced using electricity generated from renewable energy. Combining these certifications will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions throughout the product life cycle. Furthermore, Nippon Shokubai will establish a system that can supply bio-based/sustainable SAP in response to customer demand.

In addition to these ISCC PLUS-certified SAP, Nippon Shokubai is engaged in the research and development of sustainable SAP that contribute to mitigating environmental impact, such as biodegradable SAP and recycled SAP from used disposable diapers. The Company will contribute to realizing a sustainable society by promoting these research and development activities.

Notes:
(*1) ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification): ISCC is one of the world's largest certification organizations and widely recognized in Europe and many other parts of the world. It has a track record of over 4,000 certifications in more than 100 countries for sustainable raw materials like biomass and waste plastics as well as recyclable products.

(*2) mass balance method: When biomass-derived raw materials and petroleum-derived raw materials are mixed, the ratio of the biomass-derived raw materials used is assigned as the biomass ratio of the specific end product. For example, if 30% of the propylene used in the production of acrylic acid and SAP is bio-based propylene and the rest is petroleum-based propylene, the mass balance method can be applied to allocate 30% of the bio-based propylene to SAP. Therefore, biomass-derived and petroleum-derived raw materials can be manufactured up to completion of the final product without distinguishing between them, and the extent of the contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions during the life cycle of the product can be shown.

Photo1: SAP plant
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202203028033/_prw_PI2fl_4ucDh11C.jpg

Photo2: Aerial view of NSE site
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202203028033/_prw_PI3fl_e9xbd8p6.jpg

- Corporate outline of NSE
Company name: Nippon Shokubai Europe N.V.
Established: February 1999
Location: Antwerp, Belgium (headquarters and plant)
Representative: Tomiyuki Sawada, President
Capital: 243 million euros (100% owned by Nippon Shokubai)
Business: Production and sales of acrylic acid and SAP
Number of employees: 191 (as of December 31, 2021)

About Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.:
Since its establishment in 1941, Nippon Shokubai has expanded its business with unique catalyst technology at its core. Nippon Shokubai has supplied ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and other products. It commands a top global share of superabsorbent polymers. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission of "TechnoAmenity -- Providing affluence and comfort to people and society, with our unique technology."

https://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/

Nippon Shokubai Obtains ISCC PLUS for Bio-based Superabsorbent Polymers

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 16:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, July 12, 2021 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., has obtained biomass certification for superabsorbent polymers produced by its subsidiary Nippon Shokubai Europe N.V. (hereinafter “NSE”) from ISCC (*1) (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification), with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202106286867/_prw_PI1fl_3PVDbDGH.jpg

Image: Diagram of the mass balance method
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202106286867/_prw_PI2fl_hiQ001ch.jpg

SAP, the key material for disposable diapers, is mainly made from acrylic acid produced from propylene. NSE produces both acrylic acid and SAP. NSE has recently obtained ISCC PLUS certification (mass balance method (*2)) from ISCC for the production of SAP utilizing acrylic acid produced from biomass-derived propylene. NSE will establish a system to supply bio-based SAP in response to customers' requests. The quality of bio-based SAP is equivalent to that of conventional petroleum-derived products, and the use of bio-based SAP will contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions throughout the product life cycle.

In addition to bio-based SAP, Nippon Shokubai is engaged in the research and development of sustainable SAP that contributes to the reduction of environmental impact, such as biodegradable SAP and recycled SAP, which is separated from used disposable diapers and restored to almost the same level of functionality as new ones. The company will contribute to realizing a sustainable society by promoting these research and development activities.

Corporate outline of NSE
- Company name: Nippon Shokubai Europe N.V.
- Established: February 1999
- Location: Antwerp, Belgium (headquarters and plant)
- Representative: Tomiyuki Sawada, President
- Capital: 193 million Euros (100% owned by Nippon Shokubai)
- Business: Production and sales of acrylic acid and SAP
- Number of employees: 189 (as of September 30, 2020)

Photo1: SAP Plant
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202106286867/_prw_PI3fl_5D3Z0sjb.jpg

Photo2: Aerial view of NSE site
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202106286867/_prw_PI4fl_5Z38gekp.jpg

Notes:

(*1) ISCC（International Sustainability and Carbon Certification): ISCC is one of the world's largest certification organizations, and is widely recognized in Europe and other parts of the world. It has a track record of more than 4,000 certifications in over 100 countries for sustainable raw materials, such as biomass and waste plastics, and recyclable products.

(*2) Mass balance method: When biomass-derived raw materials and petroleum-derived raw materials are mixed, the ratio of the biomass-derived raw materials used is assigned as the biomass ratio of the specific end product. For example, if 30% of the propylene used in the production of acrylic acid and SAP is bio-based propylene and the rest is petroleum-based propylene, the mass balance method can be applied to allocate 30% of the bio-based propylene to SAP. Therefore, biomass-derived and petroleum-derived raw materials can be manufactured up to completion of the final product without distinguishing between them, and the extent of contribution to reducing CO2 emissions during the life cycle of the product can be shown.

About Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan, President: Yujiro Goto)
Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has developed its business with unique catalyst technologies. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, and process catalysts. Among these, its global market share of superabsorbent polymer is currently the largest in the world (according to the company’s research in 2020). Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission of "Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology."

https://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/

Nippon Shokubai Teams with LiveDo and Total Care System to Spread Used Disposable Diaper-...

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 15:00:00 +0900

OSAKA and FUKUOKA, Japan, Nov. 17, 2020 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., LiveDo Corporation, Total Care System Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Teams with LiveDo and Total Care System to Spread Used Disposable Diaper-recycling Systems

- New Recycling Technology Developed for Superabsorbent Polymers -

Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Nippon Shokubai"), LiveDo Corporation (hereinafter "LiveDo"), both headquartered in Osaka, Japan, and Total Care System Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Total Care System") headquartered in Fukuoka, Japan, are jointly developing a variety of technologies to promote the spread of systems that recycle disposable diapers, the use of which continues to increase. The three companies have recently developed a new technology for recycling superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) in used diapers. The technology can be applied to a wide variety of SAPs distributed worldwide.

(Logo1:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202011116944/_prw_PI1fl_Q2ok72W0.jpg)

(Logo2:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202011116944/_prw_PI2fl_VCLHmJe9.jpg)

(Logo3:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202011116944/_prw_PI3fl_rjpku8Ze.jpg)

On March 31, 2020, the Ministry of the Environment released the Guidelines for Recycling Used Disposable Diapers. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) is also aiming to establish a guideline for the acceptance of used disposable diapers into the sewage system based on the New Sewerage Vision Acceleration Strategy. Recycling of used disposable diapers, the amount of which continues to increase, is thus expected to be promoted.

Total Care System was the first in Japan to build a recycling system for used disposable diapers, one of the few in the world, and it has been in the business for 15 years. Disposable diapers are mainly composed of pulp, plastic, and SAPs. Recycled pulp has been effectively used as a raw material for building materials (e.g., exterior and interior wall materials), and plastic has been thermally recovered as solid fuel. Currently, research and development of material recycling are underway.

Nippon Shokubai, which has the world's largest SAP market share (based on production volume*), joined the initiative in November 2018 to explore recycling technologies for SAPs, which had remained a challenge, and succeeded in developing new recycling technologies through joint research with the two partners: major disposable diaper manufacturer LiveDo and Total Care System.
*Based on research by Nippon Shokubai in 2019

- Recycling of used disposable diapers

(Image:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202011116944/_prw_PI4fl_L86P245L.jpg)

The recycling process for used disposable diapers used to face the challenge that SAPs, which would swell from absorbing urine, reduced the recovery rate of paper pulp, or even if SAPs were recovered, they were difficult to reuse because of the significant decrease in performance.

The three companies jointly developed the following technologies to overcome this challenge.
- Technology to increase the recovery rate of paper pulp by processing SAPs, which swell from absorbing urine, and to improve the separation from paper pulp
- Recovery technology that minimizes SAP performance degradation
These technologies are designed to reduce energy consumption during recycling and to protect the water quality of rivers and other bodies of water. They can also be applied to all SAPs produced by Nippon Shokubai, as well as to various SAPs around the world.

In addition to raising these technologies to a practical level, the three companies, which are a raw material manufacturer, a disposable diaper manufacturer, and a recycling business, plan to work together to develop and commercialize materials and products that are easy to recycle and new recycling technology for used disposable diapers.

- Roles of the three companies: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202011116944/_prw_PA2fl_YnItx20j.pdf

- For more information, please visit: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202011116944/_prw_PA1fl_F3nGOzD0.pdf

*All product and service names mentioned in this news release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
*The information in this news release is current as of the date of the announcement. The information is subject to change without prior notice.

Nippon Shokubai Develops Production Process of Novel Super-fast-drying Superabsorbent Polymer

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 15:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, Oct. 16, 2020 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., (hereinafter "Nippon Shokubai"), headquartered in Osaka, Japan, has developed a novel superabsorbent polymer (SAP) with super-fast-drying absorption property, which could not be achieved in the past.

(Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202010135607/_prw_PI3fl_Xf0neHgu.jpg)

In the hygiene material industry, where SAPs are primarily used, demand not only for disposable diapers for infants but also for sanitary articles for adults (disposable diapers, napkins, pads for light incontinence, etc.) has been expanding in recent years. SAP properties required for sanitary articles for adults are different from those required for disposable diapers for infants. Specifically, the ability to quickly absorb liquid (fast-drying) and the ability to prevent the absorbed liquid from leaking (liquid retention) are particularly important.

The SAP developed by Nippon Shokubai is super-fast-drying in comparison with existing products and has about three times better liquid retention property with a new production process. The idea of the new production process was derived from an experiment carried out by a researcher who happened to shift the viewpoint while aiming to develop a production process with improved efficiency. Based on the idea, the company’s research, process technology, production, and engineering departments joined their expertise and succeeded in establishing a commercial production process.

Sanitary articles using this SAP is fast-drying and the surface immediately dries up upon absorption of liquid. Also, due to the excellent liquid retention property and absorbency against pressure, they securely retain the absorbed liquid without allowing leakage. Nippon Shokubai believes that these remarkable characteristics would be able to add great value to sanitary articles for adults, which are expected to grow further in the future.

Currently, the company is building a 15,000 t/y plant at its Himeji Plant, and expects to start production and sales from June 2021. Taking advantage of the unprecedented novel properties, it will also explore the possibility of creating new markets other than for sanitary articles.

Pictures: Comparison of liquid retention when liquid is applied to a SAP-containing sheet laid on a slope (left: conventional SAP, right: newly developed SAP)
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202010135607/_prw_PI4fl_Vn6I4Bbm.jpg

About Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.:
Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has grown up its business with unique catalyst technology. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and so on. Among all, our global market share of superabsorbent polymer is the largest in the world now. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission "Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology."

http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/

Nippon Shokubai Enhance Facilities for Lithium-ion Battery Electrolyte Ionel(TM) (LiFSI)

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 16:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, Oct. 7, 2020 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd., headquartered in Osaka, has decided to begin facility design of new electrolytes "Ionel(TM)--Lithium bis (fluorosulfonyl) imide (LiFSI)" for lithium-ion batteries by setting up the "Ionel Construction Team" on October 1, 2020, to construct new manufacturing facilities (annual production capacity; 2,000 tons, location; Nisshoku Techno Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.) using its own process. The decision is made because current production capacity, the annual production capacity of 300 ton, is insufficient for the increasing demand.

(Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202010025248/_prw_PI1fl_4A081pGS.jpg)

In recent years, due to the growing awareness of environmental issues, the electric vehicle (EV) market has been steadily expanding with high expectations for EVs as a leading next-generation vehicle for energy saving and low pollution. The use of Ionel (TM) as the electrolyte of lithium-ion batteries for EVs significantly improves the cycle characteristics, rate characteristics, and storage stability of batteries over a wide temperature range from low to high temperatures. As a result, Ionel(TM) is used not only as an additive in electrolytes but also as main salt in electrolytes, and demand for Ionel(TM) is expanding mainly in Asia. Demand for Ionel(TM) is also expected to expand as it improves the performance of next-generation innovative batteries such as all-solid-state batteries.

LiFSI is difficult to achieve high purity, and its production and quality control require a high level of know-how. Nippon Shokubai has established a technology to stably produce 2,000 tons of LiFSI per year by utilizing its unique production technology developed so far. Also, Ionel(TM) is high-purity LiFSI protected by the company’s patents, so customers can use it with confidence in terms of quality, price and intellectual property.

Commercial production at the new facilities is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2023, and the company aims to achieve sales of over 10 billion yen by 2024. As the LiFSI market is expected to expand globally, it is considering new plant investment in Europe to meet demand after 2025.

Outline of Nisshoku Techno Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.
Headquarters and Plant: 9-1, Koya-Shinmachi, Ichikawa-Shi, Chiba Pref., Japan
Established: December 27, 1954
Capital: 90 million yen
Business: Manufacturing and selling chemical products
Main shareholder: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (96.83%)
Number of employees: 98
Website: https://www.ns-technofine.co.jp/index_e.html

Photo1: Lithium bis (fluorosulfonyl) imide (LiFSI)
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202010025248/_prw_PI2fl_dZj98197.jpg

Photo2: Nisshoku Techno Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202010025248/_prw_PI3fl_soK7Or3m.jpg
About Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.:
Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has grown up its business with unique catalyst technology. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and so on. Among all, our global market share of superabsorbent polymer is the largest in the world now. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission "Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology."

http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/

Nippon Shokubai Develops Environmentally Friendly Rechargeable Carbon-zinc Hybrid Battery

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 16:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, Feb. 20, 2020 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Develops Environmentally Friendly Rechargeable Carbon-zinc Hybrid Battery
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Nippon Shokubai") has developed a novel rechargeable zinc battery by combining activated carbon with a "zinc battery separator" and "zinc anode" developed with the use of its unique technology. This new rechargeable zinc battery is made of resource-rich and non-toxic materials such as water, carbon and zinc, and there is no fear of burning because it is a water-based battery. In addition, this battery has excellent output performance and low-temperature performance. Although the extension of battery life has been a challenging issue for rechargeable zinc batteries, Nippon Shokubai’s novel separator/zinc anode technology has achieved a long life of 10,000 cycles or more.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202002176870/_prw_PI4im_32917kJ6.jpg

Zinc batteries, rechargeable batteries that use zinc for the negative electrode, have very long history that even Volta and Edison also had studied. In contrast to lithium-ion batteries which are small and lightweight, rechargeable zinc batteries focus on safety. The characteristics of zinc batteries are the high safety of using an aqueous electrolyte solution like a lead-acid battery, high environmental friendliness without the use of toxic materials such as lead, and elemental advantages without using rare metals. Therefore, rechargeable zinc batteries are expected to play a primary role in next-generation storage batteries.

However, the biggest weakness of zinc batteries has been their charge-discharge cycle life. The major cause is that a short circuit between the positive electrode and the negative electrode occurs when needle-like zinc metal crystals grow toward the positive electrode during repeated charging and discharging. For this reason, it has been considered common knowledge that zinc anodes can be used for primary batteries but not for secondary batteries.

Fig. 1: Schematic diagram of conventional separator and Nippon Shokubai-developed separator
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202002176870/_prw_PI1im_FZYZxzoT.jpg

Fig. 2: Photo of Nippon Shokubai’s separator developed for zinc battery
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202002176870/_prw_PI2fl_b1wL97a9.jpg

Therefore, Nippon Shokubai has succeeded in suppressing this short circuit due to needle-like zinc metal crystals by developing the novel separator with original structure using mineral powder (Figures 1 and 2). In addition, the company has also developed the novel zinc negative electrode that can suppress deterioration due to repeated charging and discharging. By combining the separator and zinc negative electrode with activated carbon as the positive electrode, Nippon Shokubai has developed the new rechargeable carbon-zinc hybrid battery.

This hybrid battery is assembled from a positive electrode of an electric double-layer capacitor and a zinc electrode of electrochemical reaction (Figure 3). The hybrid battery has the advantages of an electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC), such as high power and long cycle life, and overcomes the low capacity of an EDLC by using battery materials as zinc anode.

Since the zinc anode has high energy density, it is possible to make the anode thinner, and by mounting more activated carbon in the empty space, the hybrid battery can achieve 5 to 10 times the electric capacity of an EDLC with the same volume. Therefore, the hybrid battery can achieve the same capacity performance as lead-acid batteries.

Fig. 3: Hybrid structure of physical and chemical batteries
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202002176870/_prw_PI5fl_1zOA5x6W.jpg

Moreover, the rechargeable carbon-zinc hybrid battery can be charged and discharged even at low temperatures below -20 C, while keeping the high output of the capacitor. Many other batteries are difficult to charge, especially at low temperatures, because the rate of chemical reactions is closely related to temperature. On the other hand, the reaction of this battery using a zinc electrode is very fast, enabling high-speed charging and discharging from low to high temperatures (-20 C to 90 C) like an EDLC.

However, the cycle life of the hybrid battery depends on the performance of the zinc anode because of needle-like zinc metal crystals growing. Regarding the charge/discharge cycle life of rechargeable zinc batteries, the self-developed novel separator/zinc anode technology has achieved a long life of 10,000 cycles or more. The use of the novel separator/zinc anode developed by Nippon Shokubai’s original technology has already achieved the charge/discharge life of 10,000 cycles or more, which is more than 100 times that of a lead-acid battery that reaches a life of about several hundred cycles. Therefore, it is expected to be used in applications, such as in-vehicle batteries where conventional lead-acid batteries are used, and new applications such as power storage of renewable energy are expected in the future.

The "rechargeable carbon-zinc hybrid battery" and "zinc battery separator" (Fig. 2) will be exhibited at a Nippon Shokubai booth at Battery Japan 2020, which will be held at Aomi Hall, Tokyo Big Sight, from February 26 (Wed.) to 28 (Fri.).

About Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.:
Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has grown up its business with unique catalyst technology. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and so on. Among all, its global market share of superabsorbent polymer is the largest in the world now. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission "Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology."
http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/

Nippon Shokubai Develops New Separator for Alkaline Water Electrolysis Which Supports Conversion ...

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 15:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, Feb. 20, 2020 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Develops New Separator for Alkaline Water Electrolysis Which Supports Conversion of Renewable Energy to "Green Hydrogen"
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "Nippon Shokubai") has developed a new separator for alkaline water electrolysis by applying its unique organic-inorganic hybrid technology and sheet forming technology. The new separator is suitable for producing "green hydrogen" because it has a high level of resistance against gas cross-permeation and high efficiency of hydrogen generation. Also, it can be handled easily even in the dry condition. The new separator assists the spread of "green hydrogen" worldwide, and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202002176868/_prw_PI4im_4Z138o5i.jpg

To prevent global warming, many projects to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide gas have been carried out throughout the world. As part of these activities, fuel cells have begun to be used for various applications such as vehicles, and micro combined heat and power systems.

Today, the most common process of industrially generating hydrogen is the steam reforming process. However, this process has the problem of emitting carbon dioxide because it uses fossil-originated gas as a resource. Therefore, alkaline water electrolysis (Figure 1) using renewable energy is drawing worldwide attention as a means of hydrogen supply since it has no carbon dioxide emission. Also, large-scale demonstration projects are being promoted around the world.

Fig. 1: Schematic diagram of alkaline water electrolysis
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202002176868/_prw_PI1im_TMU1Q0XP.jpg

Fig. 2: Nippon Shokubai’s newly developed separator
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202002176868/_prw_PI2im_7wuICefb.jpg

In this alkaline water electrolysis system, one of the key materials that affects the hydrogen production efficiency is the separator (green part in Fig. 1). A separator for alkaline water electrolysis requires high resistance against cross permeation of hydrogen and oxygen, and low ohmic resistance of separators (high ionic conductivity). Moreover, as alkaline water electrolysis is operated in a very severe condition, like high-temperature and high-alkaline concentration, very few separators could be applied for alkaline water electrolysis.

Nippon Shokubai has successfully developed the new separator with high resistance against cross permeation of hydrogen and oxygen, and low ohmic resistance of separators (high ionic conductivity) for alkaline water electrolysis by applying its unique organic-inorganic hybrid technology and sheet-forming technology.

The company’s new separator can be expected to reduce electrical power consumption and enables higher hydrogen purity. It will introduce and exhibit this new separator at a Nippon Shokubai booth at the "the 11th International Rechargeable Battery Exhibition" to be held at Aomi Hall, Tokyo Big Sight, from February 26 (Wed.) to 28 (Fri.).

About Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.:
Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has grown up its business with unique catalyst technology. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and so on. Among all, its global market share of superabsorbent polymer is the largest in the world now. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission "Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology."
http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/

Nippon Shokubai Succeeds in Improving Performance of Electrolyte for All Solid Polymer Batteries

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 14:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, Feb.14, 2020/Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Succeeds in Improving Performance of Electrolyte for All Solid Polymer Batteries
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Nippon Shokubai”), based in Osaka, has succeeded in improving the performance of electrolyte for all solid polymer batteries. All solid-state batteries using polymer electrolyte have features such as long life and high safety. On the other hand, polymer electrolyte has poor lithium ion conductivity. So it is necessary to heat the battery to more than 50 degrees Celsius. The newly developed polymer electrolyte shows high lithium conductivity performance. The operating temperature of the battery can be lowered near to room temperature. Therefore, new applications of all solid polymer batteries can be expected.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202002126721/_prw_PI3im_2ON4xM8r.jpg

Fig.1 Configuration of all solid polymer batteries
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202002126721/_prw_PI1lg_pnC13OgQ.jpg

Nippon Shokubai developed a type of solid electrolyte consisting of polyethylene oxide for a lithium polymer battery and started commercial production around 2013. Generally, ionic conductivity of polyethylene oxide polymer electrolyte is lower than that of non-aqueous electrolyte for lithium ion batteries, and the lithium ionic transport number is about 0.1 to 0.2. At room temperature, lithium ions move very slowly through electrolyte. Therefore, in order to obtain stable performance, it was necessary to heat the battery to more than 50 degrees Celsius for accelerating lithium ionic transport.

Several studies to improve the lithium ionic transport number of polymer electrolyte have been reported, but most of them are not able to improve the performance because of the low ionic conductivity. Nippon Shokubai has introduced the original ionic conduction mechanism that can achieve a high performance. The company’s newly developed electrolyte film has almost the same ionic conductivity and the lithium ionic transport number more than five times higher than that of the conventional polyethylene oxide electrolyte film.

Table 1. Ionic conductivity and lithium ionic transport number
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104641/202002126721/_prw_PI2lg_7h9OatbV.jpg

The original electrolyte film has oxidation-reduction stability for lithium metal and 4V-class cathode active materials. The laminated cell battery fabricated using this technology exhibited extremely higher discharge characteristics than that of polyethylene oxide-based polymer. The dramatic improvement in battery performance leads to many potential benefits, including a shorter charging time, higher energy density, and reduction of battery-heating devices.

Nippon Shokubai will continue to contribute to improving the performance of polymer electrolyte for developing a new application. These research results are exhibited at a Nippon Shokubai booth at the Battery Japan 2020 exhibition, which will be held at Aomi Hall, Tokyo Big Sight, on February 26 (Wed.) to 28 (Fri.).

About Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.:
Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has grown up its business with unique catalyst technology. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and so on. Among all, its global market share of superabsorbent polymer is the largest in the world now. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission "TechnoAmenity--Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology." http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/

紙より薄い有機ELフィルム光源（iOLED®フィルム光源）と輪島塗のコラボレーション

日本触媒 — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 10:00:00 +0900

2020/1/28
株式会社日本触媒
紙より薄い有機ELフィルム光源（iOLED®フィルム光源）と輪島塗のコラボレーション
紙より薄い有機ELフィルム光源（iOLED®フィルム光源）と
輪島塗のコラボレーション
～光る輪島塗「余光（よこう）」を共同制作～

株式会社日本触媒（本社：大阪市中央区、社長：五嶋祐治朗、以下「日本触媒」）は、輪島キリモト（本社：石川県輪島市、代表者　桐本泰一）と共同で、当社が開発した最先端技術である「紙より薄いフィルム光源（iOLED®フィルム光源）」と、日本古来の伝統工芸技術である『螺鈿（らでん）※1』を掛け合わせた他に類のない光る輪島塗「余光（よこう）」を制作しました。
※1. 青貝の殻の内側の、真珠色の光を放つ部分を薄く種々の形に切って、漆器などの表面にはめこんで装飾とした物。

iOLED®フィルム光源は、有機ELの長年の課題であった、大気中の酸素や水分による素子の劣化を日本触媒とNHKとの共同開発による材料および素子技術（iOLED®技術）により克服し、厚さ0.07mmと紙より薄く、高い柔軟性を実現しています。
19年6月より、日本触媒と輪島キリモトは、アートディレクター　四尾龍郎氏とともにiOLED®と輪島塗のコラボレーションを開始し、このたび螺鈿が発光するiOLED®×輪島塗盃「余光（よこう）」が完成しました。
「余光」は表面を薄くくり抜いた器に、貝殻薄片とiOLED®フィルム光源を貼り付け一体化したものをはめ込み、その表面に漆を一層塗り、完成しました。漆を薄く何度も塗り重ねていくことで強く美しい塗膜を生み出すことが輪島塗の大きな特徴であり、螺鈿で扱う貝殻薄片もできるだけ薄いことが条件となります。iOLED®フィルム光源が厚さ0.07㎜と紙よりも薄いため貝殻薄片との一体化が実現しました。

輪島キリモト8代目の桐本滉平氏コメント：
『ひとりでも多くの方に日常の中で輪島塗を身近に感じてもらいたいとの思いで、輪島キリモトはこれまで老舗和菓子メーカーや欧州有名ファッションブランドなどとコラボレーションをしてきました。しかし、日本触媒の開発したiOLEDという光源とのコラボレーションは、伝統工芸と最新テクノロジーの融合という前代未聞の挑戦でした。iOLEDが限りなく薄いおかげで、薄い貝殻との一体化が可能となり、伝統的な技法でありながらも、自ら発光する新たな螺鈿の発明が実現しました。完成した盃を見た時、手のひらの上に月を見たような感動を覚えました。道具でもあり、芸術でもある、絶妙なバランスの表現が追求できたことに感無量です。伝統技術と最先端技術の融合には、これからの新たな豊かさのヒントを見つけられた気がしています。』

共同制作したiOLED®×輪島塗盃「余光」を、1月29日（水）・30日（木）・31日（金）に東京ビッグサイトで開催される新機能性材料展2020に出展する当社ブースにて展示いたします。

輪島キリモトの概要
所在地　石川県輪島市杉平町３２
代表者　桐本泰一
事業概要　
石川県輪島にて、200年以上「木と漆」の仕事に携わってきた桐本家。江戸時代後期から明治・大正にかけては輪島塗製造販売を営み、昭和の初めに木を刳ることを得意とする「朴木地屋・桐本木工所」に転業。平成27年に商号を「輪島キリモト」とし、木地業を生業にしながら、多くの力ある職人達と共に、木と漆の器、小物、家具、内装材に至るまで、木と漆が今に暮らしにとけ込むようなものづくりに挑戦し続けている。
http://www.kirimoto.net/index.html

日本触媒について：
１９４１年の創業以来、自社開発の触媒技術を核に事業を拡大。酸化エチレンやアクリル酸、自動車用・工業用触媒などを世の中に送り出し、現在では紙おむつに使われる高吸水性樹脂で世界１位のシェアを誇っています。日本触媒は「テクノロジー（技術）」を通じて「アメニティ（豊かさ）」を提供する、という企業理念「TechnoAmenity」のもと、グローバルに活動する化学会社です。
https://www.shokubai.co.jp

【4114：日本触媒】紙より薄い光源（iOLED®フィルム光源）をさらに長寿命に

日本触媒 — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 14:21:00 +0900

2019/9/17
株式会社日本触媒
紙より薄い光源（iOLED®フィルム光源）をさらに長寿命に
～水素結合を利用した新規有機EL用電子注入技術～
株式会社日本触媒（本社：大阪市中央区、社長：五嶋祐治朗、証券番号：4114.T）は、NHKと共同で「紙より薄いフィルム光源（iOLED®フィルム光源）」をさらに長寿命化させる新しい電子注入＊１技術を開発しました。
紙より薄く、柔軟性の高いiOLED®フィルム光源は、NHKと共同で開発している大気中の酸素や水分に強く安定性の高い有機ELの材料および素子技術（iOLED®技術）により実現しています。
しかしながら、更なる長寿命化には、一定の酸素や水分の存在下で高効率な電子注入を長期間維持することが課題でした。今回、２種類の有機材料間の水素結合を利用した新規有機ＥＬ用電子注入技術の開発により、課題を克服しました。これにより、iOLED®フィルム光源は、素子寿命と大気安定性を従来よりも高水準で両立できるようになり、使用用途の拡大が期待されます。
*1：電極から発光などを担う有機材料に電子を入れること

一般に電子輸送層の電子注入機能付与のために用いられるアルカリ金属は、高い電子注入性を示す一方、大気安定性に乏しく、有機ELの劣化の主要因でした（図1）。
今回、アルカリ金属の代わりに有機塩基性材料を添加した、分極型の有機EL用材料を開発しました。この材料は高い大気安定性と分極による高い電子注入性を示すため、酸素や水分を透過しやすいフィルム上に有機ELを形成しても、高い電子注入が長期間維持されます。さらに、有機塩基性材料の添加により水素結合が形成され、これにより生じる分極が、電子注入に重要な役割を果たしていることを世界で初めて確認しました。今後、本技術をiOLED®フィルム光源に適応することで、発光色の精密な制御や長寿命かつ極薄膜素子の実現などiOLED®フィルム光源の高機能化はもちろん、プロセスの簡略化による低コスト化も期待できます。

今回の研究成果は9月6日に発行されたAdvanced Materials誌に掲載されました。
また、iOLED®フィルム光源は、9月18日（水）・19日（木）にパシフィコ横浜で開催されるケミカルマテリアルJapan2019に出展する当社ブースにて、展示いたします。

当社は、このiOLED®フィルム光源をもって、世界を明るく照らしていくとともに、今後も独創的で優れた技術を開発・企業化し、企業理念「テクノアメニティ、私たちはテクノロジーをもって人と社会に豊かさと快適さを提供します」の実現にまい進してまいります。

以上

【4114：日本触媒】有機EL討論会「第12回業績賞」を受賞：紙よりも薄い有機ELフィルム光源の開発

日本触媒 — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 10:00:00 +0900

2019/6/14
株式会社日本触媒
有機EL討論会「第12回業績賞」を受賞：紙よりも薄い有機ELフィルム光源の開発
株式会社日本触媒（本社：大阪市中央区、社長：五嶋祐治朗、以下「日本触媒」）は、大気安定な逆構造有機EL素子の開発において、有機EL討論会より第12回業績賞を受賞いたしました。この賞は、有機ELに関連する科学技術の発展への顕著な功績に対して贈られるものです。

当社は、フレキシブル有機ELの長年の課題であった、大気中の酸素や水分による素子の劣化を克服しました。具体的には、水・酸素に安定な材料の開発及び、素子構成の反転により、長時間安定駆動可能なフレキシブル有機ELの実現に成功したことが高く評価され、受賞となりました。

水・酸素に強い当該有機ELは、保護・バリア層を簡略化できるため、デバイスを紙よりも薄くすることが可能です。当社ではその薄さを大きな強みと捉え、開発品名『iOLED®フィルム光源』として上市に向けた検討を進めております。『iOLED®フィルム光源』は、0.07mmという業界最高クラスの薄さを実現し、フレキシビリティに優れ、様々な曲面に沿う特徴を有しています。例えば、肌に直接貼る、棒状のものに巻きつける等、これまで適用の難しかった場所・場面での活用が可能です。

日本触媒は、このフレキシブル有機ELデバイスの技術をもって、フィルム光源の新たな価値・市場を創出していくとともに、今後も独創的で優れた技術を開発・企業化し、グループ企業理念「TechnoAmenity~私たちはテクノロジーをもって人と社会に豊かさと快適さを提供します」を実現してまいります。

iOLED®フィルム光源活用イメージ動画はこちら
http://www.shokubai.co.jp/ja/rd/materials06.html

日本触媒について：
日本触媒は１９４１年の創業以来、自社開発の触媒技術を核に事業を拡大。酸化エチレンやアクリル酸、自動車用・工業用触媒などを世の中に送り出し、現在では紙おむつに使われる高吸水性樹脂で世界１位のシェアを誇っています。日本触媒は「テクノロジー（技術）」を通じて「アメニティ（豊かさ）」を提供する、という企業理念「TechnoAmenity」のもと、グローバルに活動する化学会社です。
http://www.shokubai.co.jp/ja/

Nippon Shokubai Launches Social Contribution Program to Develop ‘Japan-Indonesia Friendship,,,

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 14:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, Oct.16, 2018 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Launches Social Contribution Program to Develop ‘Japan-Indonesia Friendship Forests of Banten Bay for Biodiversity Preservation’
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. has newly begun to develop “Japan-Indonesia Friendship Forests of Banten Bay for Biodiversity Preservation” in the Republic of Indonesia. The company held an opening ceremony for the project and conducted the first round of tree-planting activities.

(Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201809278462-O1-ffAixQx7)
(Photo1: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201809278462-O2-P1Z2n4zc)
(Photo2: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201809278462-O3-7bVTZz88)

As part of the Forest Development Initiatives, the company has pursued since 2008, the activities designed to develop mangrove forests on Indonesia’s coasts are aimed at securing habitats for shrimps, crabs and other creatures and preventing coastlines from being eroded by high waves. With the help of a local nongovernmental organization (NGO), Nippon Shokubai plans to plant 30,000 Rhizophoraceae mangrove saplings over a five-year period.

The mayor of Serang, capital of Banten Province, and officials of the Ministry of Environment Banten Province attended the opening ceremony as guests, welcoming the activities which they said would contribute to regional development.

Following commemorative tree planting by Nippon Shokubai President Yujiro Goto, volunteers from among employees of the company and staff of its local group firm started to jointly plant trees. Furthermore, local fisheries school students joined the tree planting. The overall activities moved forward in a friendly atmosphere.

Nippon Shokubai has been taking the Forest Development Initiatives continuously for 10 years as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. Nippon Shokubai, together with its group firms, intends to further enhance the activities to preserve biodiversity and the natural environment and contribute to the region.

1. About the development of “Japan-Indonesia Friendship Forests of Banten Bay for Biodiversity Preservation”
- Place: The coast in Serang, Banten Province, Indonesia -- about 70 km west of the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. The area is managed by Sekolah Tinggi Perikanan, a local fisheries school.
- Organizers: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. and its Indonesian subsidiary PT. NIPPON SHOKUBAI INDONESIA (based in Cilegon City, Indonesia: hereinafter NSI).
- Collaborators: Rekonvasi Bhumi (NGO), which literally means “rebirth of nature”.

2. About the first round tree-planting tour
- Dates: Sept. 10 (Mon.) - Sept. 15 (Sat.), 2018
- Content: Opening ceremony, tree planting
- Participants: about 60 people (guests, Nippon Shokubai’s president and employee volunteers, NSI’s president, executive officers and employees, NGO members, fisheries school students and others)

3. List of Forest Development Initiatives of Nippon Shokubai
- Development of “Japan-Indonesia Friendship Forests of Banten Bay for Biodiversity Preservation” (Banten Province, Indonesia)
- Development of “Japan-China Friendship Forest Development and Global Warming Prevention” (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China)
- Improvement of “Nippon Shokubai-Forests and Water Resources” (Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan)
- Improvement of “Nippon Shokubai-Yugawara Myriad Leaves Forest” (Yugawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan)

About Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.:
Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has grown up its business with unique catalyst technology. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and so on. Among all, our global market share of superabsorbent polymer is the largest in the world now. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission "Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology." http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/
The company is headquartered in Osaka City and headed by Representative Director and President Yujiro Goto.

Nippon Shokubai Embarks on Feasibility Study for 1 Million-Ton Production System of,,,

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 14:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, Nov. 10, 2017 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Embarks on Feasibility Study for 1 Million-Ton Production System of,,,
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Nippon Shokubai”) has announced that the company will enter into a feasibility study for building the next acrylic acid (AA) plant at PT. Nippon Shokubai Indonesia, a subsidiary in the Southeast Asian country.

(Photo: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/img/201711087719-O2-F68cT6A5)

(Logo: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/img/201711087719-O1-K87q2078)

By this expansion, Nippon Shokubai will establish a system capable of producing a total of one million tons of AA at its facilities on a global basis. Nippon Shokubai plans to make a final decision on the Indonesian plant project in 2018 and expects to commence its operation in 2021.

About Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has developed its business with unique catalyst technology. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and so on. Among all, the company’s global market share of superabsorbent polymer is the largest in the world now. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission "Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology." The company is headquartered in Osaka, western Japan. Its President is Yujiro Goto.
http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/

Nippon Shokubai Increases Selling Prices for Acrylic Acid, Acrylic Esters and Superabsorbent Polymer

NIPPON SHOKUBAI — Wed, 25 Oct 2017 14:00:00 +0900

OSAKA, Japan, Oct. 25, 2017 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
Nippon Shokubai Increases Selling Prices for Acrylic Acid, Acrylic Esters and Superabsorbent Polymer
Effective October 16, 2017, Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (NSCL) increased selling prices for acrylic acid and acrylic esters by more than 10 yen per kilogram. The company had launched a price increase initiative for correcting profit deterioration in March this year, but it was not sufficient to cover overall increased costs. Therefore, NSCL has announced the price increase again.

(Logo: http://prw.kyodonews.jp/img/201710247122-O1-lSQGy5qx)

As Chinese manufacturers of acrylic acid and its esters are facing difficulty to raise the operation ratio of their plants that cannot meet the strengthened environmental and safety regulations, the global supply and demand balance of these products is tightening rapidly. These trends are expected to continue in the coming years and, therefore, we anticipate early correction of profit deterioration due to soaring raw material propylene prices, rising utility and distribution costs, etc., for the purpose of ensuring stable supply for the domestic market.

As for the superabsorbent polymer (SAP), which is a derivative product of acrylic acid, NSCL also announced a price hike of US$200 per metric ton on a global basis from July this year, but this price revision also turned out insufficient. NSCL will focus on achieving initial price revisions for SAP as well based on soaring prices of raw materials such as acrylic acid and caustic soda, and rises in other expenses such as distribution costs.

About Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.:
Since 1941, Nippon Shokubai has grown up its business with unique catalyst technology. Nippon Shokubai has supplied, for example, ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, automobile catalysts, process catalysts and so on. Among all, our global market share of superabsorbent polymer is the largest in the world now. Nippon Shokubai is a global chemical company operating under its corporate mission "Providing affluence and comfort to people and society with our unique technology."
http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/