Since its founding, Nippon Shokubai has used world-class vapor phase oxidation reactions to consistently produce acrylic acid, ethylene oxide, and other basic chemicals. We have developed business around the world for the superabsorbent polymers and other polymer products using these monomers. We also harness our core technologies—Inorganic Catalyst, Organic Synthesis, Polymer—to:
Apply advanced catalyst design and mass production technology in the environmental purification and fuel cell fields, among others.
Develop markets for uniquely structured, functional chemicals and monomers produced using our proprietary organic synthesis and mass production technology.
Respond to our customers’ needs by producing functional polymers in safe, stable processes using proprietary designs and monomers that must be handled with care.
We intend to continue striving to create products that contribute to the global environment and people’s lives while utilizing and advancing our core technologies and making proactive efforts to create and incorporate new technologies.
Core technologies
Continuously integrate and innovate around three core technologies to create products with high-added value.
Inorganic Catalyst Control technology for gas phase oxidation
Technologies by which we control temperature, pressure, feed gas, and catalyst properties to efficiently produce ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, and other chemicals through vapor phase oxidation reactions. We also devote our energy to creating higher-performance catalysts in an effort to establish eco-friendly chemicals production technologies.
Inorganic Catalyst Design & production technology for catalysts
Technologies by which we design catalysts based on advanced control of catalytic components, crystalline structures, acid-base properties, micropores, catalytic geometry, and other parameters with respect to target reactions. We also own technologies for mass-producing catalysts, which we amassed in the process of commercializing chemical synthesis catalysts and environmental catalysts.
An environmental purification catalyst converts exhaust gases containing environmentally hazardous chemicals like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and dioxins into nitrogen andwater, or makes them harmless.
An automotive catalyst converts toxic gases, like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, into gases that are harmless to humans, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen.
Nippon Shokubai products in action!
De-NOx catalysts
Catalysts that convert the nitrogen oxides(NOx) in the exhaust from waste incinerators or industrial boilers into nitrogen and water.
Organic Synthesis Production technology for functional monomers
The reactivity of the many different functional monomers makes it quite difficult to produce them in large quantities. We control the danger by preventing the monomers from polymerizing during production. The result is a safe, consistent production process. These efforts are at the core of our production technology, and we continue to improve and advance them day by day.
These monomers are the raw materials for high-performance coating. As a key ingredient in the top coats of motor vehicles, they help protect auto bodies.
Organic Synthesis Design technology for high functionl molecules
With detailed designs down to the molecular level, we achieve the ideal structure and synthesis for chemical compounds to efficiently exhibit the desired properties. We also own technologies for realizing high yields and purity for the compounds, equipping us to rapidly discover optimal solutions for customers.
This electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries improves battery performance across a wide range of temperatures and is a component of electric vehicle batteries.
We have established a continuous, highly efficient, and energy-saving production process for manufacturing superabsorbent polymers, covering multiple stages such as polymerization/gelation of acrylic acid, drying, grinding/classification, and surface crosslinking. Additionally, we possess a wide range of elemental technologies that precisely address user needs related to the feel and performance of disposable diapers, which are the primary application.
Just 1 g of AQUALIC™ CA can absorb 100 to 1,000 g of water. As a material used to make disposable diapers, this chemical product reduces the burden of caring for children and elderly people.
Polymer Design & production technology for special monomers
By consistently designing, synthesizing, and polymerizing monomers with unique structures, we provide a wide range of products that exhibit distinctive functionalities unattainable through the polymerization of conventional monomers. Furthermore, we safely and stably polymerize monomers that require careful handling due to their high toxicity or hazardous nature, thereby creating high-performance polymer products.
The excellent dilutability and UV curing properties of these products make them an apt choice for high-definition QR code printing as well as printing labels for cosmetics and other products.
Polymer Design & production technology for high functional polymers
We use elaborate polymer structure designs and precise polymerization technologies to develop exactly what our customers need. We have also established systems for smoothly upscaling processes from the lab to the production stage, which allows us to respond to our customers’ desires without delay.
Resins for coating that deliver unprecedented ultra-weatherability and high gloss. These resins are used in many coatings, mainly for construction materials and architectural exteriors.
SOFTANOL™
Low-irritation, biodegradable surfactants that improve the performance of dish soap and laundry detergent and reduce the environmental impact of wastewater.
AQUALOC™
This highly dispersive comb-shaped polymer for strengthening concrete is used in large bridge piers, roadways, and other structures where safety and reliability are essential.
Polymer Production technology for fine particle synthesis
By combining precise structural design of various organic, inorganic, and hybrid particles with a wide range of particle synthesis technologies—such as suspension and emulsion polymerization, sol-gel reactions, and hydrothermal synthesis—as well as various grinding and classification techniques, we accurately respond to our customers’ needs. Furthermore, we are fully equipped to provide products in forms tailored to customer requirements, including surface modification and solvent dispersion.
With a wide range of refractive indices and a full lineup of average particle sizes from submicron to 10 μm, these products are used in the optical films of LCD panels and as diffusion agents in LED lighting.
