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-
- Sustainability
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.
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 our 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
| Product Name | Certified Company | Certification Date | Main Applications |
| Acrylic Acid | American Acryl L.P. | April 2025 | Acrylic esters, Superabsorbent polymers |
| Superabsorbent Polymers (AQUALIC™ CA) | Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc. | May 2025 | Disposable diapers, Sanitary products, Air fresheners, Civil engineering applications |
American Acryl L.P. Profile
| Established | August 1996 |
| Location | Bayport Industrial District, Pasadena, Texas, USA |
| Representative | Rick Brown |
| Business | Manufacture and sale of acrylic acid |
| Capital | USD 52.53 million 50% owned (including indirect ownership) by Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc. 50％ owned (including indirect ownership) by Arkema Inc |
Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc. Profile
| Established | January 1988 |
| Location | Bayport Industrial District, Pasadena, Texas, USA |
| Representative | Kenta Kanaida |
| Business | Manufacture and sale of superabsorbent polymers Manufacture and sale of fine chemical products |
| Capital | USD 100 million (paid-in capital) 100% owned by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. |
| Number of employees | 130 (as of March 31, 2025) |
*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.
Related releases
- Nippon Shokubai Obtains ISCC PLUS for Bio-based Superabsorbent Polymers -To Contribute to the Reduction of the Environmental Impact of Disposable Diapers- (July 8, 2021)
- Nippon Shokubai Obtains ISCC PLUS for Superabsorbent Polymers Derived from Caustic Soda Produced from Renewable Energy -Contributing to the reduction of the environmental impact of disposable diapers- (March 4, 2022)
- Nippon Shokubai Acquired ISCC PLUS Certification for Various Products, Including Acrylic Acid, Superabsorbent Polymers, and Ethylene Oxide -To promote the use of biomass as raw materials for disposable diapers, detergents, and other products- (February 9, 2023)
- Nippon Shokubai Begins Manufacturing and Marketing Halal-certified and Biomass-derived Acrylic Acid, Acrylates, and Superabsorbent Polymers in Indonesia -Contributing to Reducing the Environmental Impact of Paints, Diapers, etc. throughout the Product Supply Chain- (May 29, 2024)