News Release

June 4, 2021 Press ReleaseTrading BusinessC1 Chemical BusinessMaterial Business

HighChem Celebrates the Grand Opening of Its Tokyo Research Center

HighChem Company Limited (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Ushio Taka hereinafter referred to as HighChem) has completed the construction of the "HighChem Tokyo Research Center" in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, on May 31, 2021. We are pleased to inform you that the completion ceremony was held on the same day.

Background to the establishment of HighChem Tokyo Research Center

The new research institute will take over our research and development functions currently conducted at Tokatsu Techno Plaza and the University of Tokyo Kashiwa Venture Plaza, and at the same time expand the total floor space by seven times its current size and further strengthen the research and development system.

HighChem Tokyo Research Center Overview

Name: HighChem Tokyo Research Center
Address: 3, Kashiwa Inter Minami 9, Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture
Total floor area: 1662.83㎡
Structural scale: 3-story steel frame building

About the Ceremony

Approximately 40 people participated, including our president Ushio Taka below, executives, employees, designers, and contractors.
After a ritual was performed by the shrine's chief priest, we toured the inside and outside of the factory.

Tour

Tokyo Research Center is a three-story building with seven HighChem research laboratories for each theme, along with the Selander factory, which is scheduled to open in 2022, it has chemicals, pharmaceutical, and food sample rooms, conference rooms, and office space.

HighChem Enhances Capabilities at Tokyo Research Institute

HighChem Tokyo Research Center focuses on C1 Chemicals (catalysts and production processes for synthesizing chemical products from single carbon atoms such as CO and CO2). We are also developing catalysts for the production of C1 Chemicals derivatives such as ethanol and higher alcohols, which are expected to be industrialized in the future, as well as improving the performance and cost reduction of the two catalysts used in SEG® technology, which we have been focusing on since 2009.

The new enhancements include:
1. Strengthening research and development of chemicals production using CO2 as a raw material
2. Applied research on Biodegradable Materials
3. Production and quality control of our product Ceramic binder Serander®

SEG® technology: A technology to produce ethylene glycol (a kind of raw material for polyester production) from non-petroleum sources, using synthetic gas as a raw material.

HighChem Intensifies R&D in Chemical Production using CO2 as a Raw Material at the Tokyo Research Center

① Production of green ethylene glycol from biomass and CO2 as raw materials
SEG® technology* can use a wide range of carbon sources as raw materials, including coal, natural gas, and industrial exhaust gas. Therefore, it is attracting attention as an eco-friendly technology that can effectively utilize various waste gases and reduce CO2 emissions. In addition, by applying this technology, we are currently developing the production of green ethylene glycol from biomass and CO2 with a view to commercialization.

②Catalyst development and catalyst scale-up research for paraxylene production using CO2 as a raw material
HighChem, in collaboration with Toyama University, Chiyoda Corporation, Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd., Nippon Steel Corporation, and Mitsubishi Corporation, is engaged in joint research and development. The project, which was started in July 2020, was selected for NEDO's "Carbon Recycling, Next-Generation Power Generation, CO2 Emission Reduction & Utilization, and CO2 to Chemicals Technology Development" program. As a result, the new Tokyo Research Center will focus on catalyst development and research for commercial-scale production to facilitate practical applications.

Once these two technologies are perfected, it will be possible to manufacture polyester fibers from only CO2, and it will be possible to supply high-value-added CO2-free fibers to the apparel industry, which is seeking new green materials. This will lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Applied research in Biodegradable Materials

HighChem is strengthening its handling of various Biodegradable Materials, including signing a business strategic partnership agreement with China's largest PLA (polylactic acid) manufacturer in August 2020. Biodegradable Materials are eco-friendly because they are ultimately decomposed into water and CO2 by the action of microorganisms, but they still have issues with functionality such as heat resistance. Therefore, we are conducting synthesis, modification, and applied research on Biodegradable Materials to improve their functionality.

Production and quality control of the Ceramic binder "Serander®"

In January 2020, HighChem acquired the New Ceramics Binder Business and began manufacturing and distributing 'Serander®'. Used in automotive materials and smartphones, these binders are becoming crucial in the burgeoning 5G market. HighChem is accelerating its expansion into China and will start production at the new research institute in 2022, also establishing a dedicated "Ceramic Binder Development Lab" to meet increasing global demand.