NIPPON SHOKUBAI announces to establish endowed chair at Kobe University
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD. [Tokyo Stock Exchange – TOKSE:4114.T] (“NIPPON SHOKUBAI”) hereby announces to establish an endowed chair, “Sustainable Chemistry (NIPPON SHOKUBAI)”, on July 1, 2012 at Kobe University (President: Hideki Fukuda). In this chair, practical studies in utilization technologies of renewable biomass resource (biorefinery), production technologies of renewable energy, and utilization technologies of carbon dioxide will be performed to create new industries by sustainable chemistry, while also aimed to cultivate innovative human resources that can contribute to creation of new industries. Dr. Yuichi Kita (Adviser, former Senior Managing Executive Officer, NIPPON SHOKUBAI) will take a position as professor responsible for the endowed chair.
In cooperation with Innovative Bioproduction Kobe (iBioK*) primarily promoted by Kobe University, we will closely build industry-university-government networks to enhance advanced research and development of novel chemical process by harmonizing unique fundamental technologies owned by universities with our practical technologies and business development capabilities. Through participation in such research activities, we can also promote corporate social responsibility to contribute to the research and education in Kobe University.
Under our corporate philosophy, “TechnoAmenity -providing affluence and comfort to people and society, with our unique technology”, NIPPON SHOKUBAI aims to be a chemical company providing new values through innovative technologies as a Vision/Target in fiscal 2025; self portrait NIPPON SHOKUBAI wishes to be. Based on the results of this endowed chair, we endeavor to put sustainable chemistry into practical use toward sustainable society and sustainable economic development, reinforcing industry-university-government collaboration, for example, converting raw materials for the production of chemicals, fossil resources into sustainable resources.
Outline of the Endowed Chair
1. Department: Department of Chemical Science and Engineering,
Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University
2. Title: “Sustainable Chemistry (NIPPON SHOKUBAI)”
3. Leaders of the Chair:
Yuichi Kita, Professor responsible for the endowed chair
[Adviser, Former Senior Managing Executive Officer, NIPPON SHOKUBAI]
Yoshiaki Hirano, Assistant professor responsible for the endowed chair
[Manager, Technology Development Dept., Research Planning & Development Div., NIPPON SHOKUBAI]
Another person, to be adopted
4. Duration: Five years from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2017
5. Amount of endowment: 255 million yen
*The iBioK is one of the projects supported by “Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology, Creation of Innovation Centers for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research Areas”, MEXT, Japan.
【Contacts】
Investor & Public Relations Dept.,
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
TEL: +81-3-3506-7477 E-mail: shokubai@n.shokubai.co.jp