TOKYO, [November 25, 2024] HighChem Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Taka Ushio, “HighChem”) and Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (“Sumitomo Chemical”) have entered into an agreement to transfer to HighChem Sumitomo Chemical’s intellectual properties related to its caprolactam manufacturing technology with the vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement process. Under this agreement, HighChem will inherit the intellectual property rights for this technology and plans to license it globally. Additionally, HighChem plans to supply catalysts to licensees from its own catalyst factory.
About the Caprolactam Manufacturing Technology with the Vapor-Phase Beckmann Rearrangement Process
The technology is a process to manufacture caprolactam, the raw material of nylon 6, by using cyclohexanone oxime. It is the world’s first commercialized process to produce high-quality caprolactam without generating ammonium sulfate as byproduct.
HighChem's Licensing Activities
HighChem has successfully developed its licensing business by combining its research and manufacturing capabilities based on its technological accumulation and marketing strategy in the Japan and China.
Take SEG® (Syngas to Ethylene Glycol) technology for example, HighChem has licensed 23 SEG® plants with a total capacity of approximately 10 million tons/year, achieving fruitful results in promoting the market application of Japanese core technologies.
HighChem has its own catalyst manufacturing in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China as well as four research centers in both Japan and China with a great reputation for high-quality catalysts supply and process optimization.
Moving forward, HighChem will continue to expand its licensing activities globally, leveraging its superior marketing and technological capabilities to deploy advanced Japanese technologies worldwide and achieve commercial deployment across various markets.
About Sumitomo Chemical
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. is a diversified chemical company operating in the Agro & Life Solutions Sector, ICT & Mobility Solutions Sector, Advanced Medical Solutions Sector, and Essential & Green Materials Sector. Sumitomo Chemical is implementing short-term intensive performance improvement measures and, as part of these efforts, is accelerating the restructuring of its businesses. Sumitomo Chemical will steadily advance these measures to ensure a V-shaped recovery in fiscal 2024, while also carrying out fundamental structural reforms.
About HighChem
HighChem, a company with both chemical trading and manufacturing capabilities, has various products and technologies ranging from life science fields such as pharmaceuticals, food, and agrochemicals, to cutting-edge electronic materials. The Sustainability & Innovation Division, which represents its manufacturing function, has four research centers and one catalyst factory in Japan and China, and developing and commercializing decarbonization technologies which use CO2 as feedstock to produce chemicals. Meanwhile, HighChem C1-based SEG®, has already achieved a big success with a total capacity of more than10 million tons per year. HighChem also committed to develop biochemical technologies and next-generation battery technologies and globalize its business, offering more innovative products, technologies, and services.
Company Name: HighChem Co., Ltd. (https://highchem.co.jp/)
Location: 11th Floor, Tokyo Toranomon Global Square, 1-3-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
President: Taka Ushio
Business Overview: Import/export and sales of chemicals, contract manufacturing, technology licensing-related operations, catalyst manufacturing and sales, biodegradable materials sales, etc.
For more information, please contact:
＜HighChem Co., Ltd. Public Relations office
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Contact: Ms. Kuroiwa (+81-90-6539-4213) TEL: +81-3-5251-8580 E-mail: koho@highchem.co.jp