Inauguration Ceremony held for Umicore Shokubai Japan’s new automotive catalyst Technical R&D Centre in Tokoname City

NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD. [Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka; President: Masanori Ikeda, TOSE:4114.T] (“NIPPON SHOKUBAI”) announced that today, December 3, 2013, its affiliated company, Umicore Shokubai Japan Co., Ltd.(“Umicore Shokubai Japan”), inaugurated its new technical R&D centre in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture.

Umicore Shokubai Japan sells automotive catalyst to Japanese automotive companies. It has its manufacturing and R&D centre in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture.
This new technical R&D centre has state of the art equipment and improved capabilities and capacity to enable Umicore Shokubai Japan to serve its customers in Japan and elsewhere.
In April 2014, the Umicore Shokubai Japan HQ will also be transferred from Tokyo to Tokoname City.

The main attendants for the ceremony are as follows;
Mr.Luc LIEBAUT, the Belgium ambassador to Japan
Mr.Hideaki Omura, Governor of Aichi Prefecture
Mr.Marc Grynberg, CEO of Umicore.
Mr.Masanori Ikeda , President of NIPPON SHOKUBAI

◆ Corporate outline of Umicore Shokubai Japan
Established March, 2012
Location 1-2-3 Kita-aoyama,　Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0061 Japan
Representative Hideaki Muraki (Mr.), President
Business Manufacture,　R&D,　and sales of automotive catalysts
Capital 750 million yen
Contributor 100% owned by Umicore Shokubai S.A. (Luxembourg)
Umicore Shokubai S.A., owned 60% by Umicore and 40% by NIPPON SHOKUBAI, is holding company of Umicore Shokubai Japan and other 4 automotive companies.
Office Tokyo, Himeji, Osaka, and Tokoname
Number of employees 106 as of November 30, 2013

◆ Outline of R&D Centre in Tokoname City
Location 1-25-19 Rinku-cho, Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture,
Site area Approx. 15,000m2
Total floor space Approx. 4,400m2
Structure Steel-frame, two storey building

【Contacts】
Investor & Public Relations Dept., NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
TEL: +81-3-3506-7477 E-mail: shokubai@n.shokubai.co.jp