HighChem Corporation (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Ushio Taka, hereinafter "HighChem") and Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Keiichi Iwata, hereinafter "Sumitomo Chemical") have signed an agreement to transfer intellectual property rights related to Sumitomo Chemical’s gas-phase Beckmann rearrangement-based caprolactam production technology (hereinafter “the Technology”) to HighChem. HighChem will inherit the intellectual property rights of the Technology and plans to license it globally, particularly in China. In addition, HighChem will provide catalysts manufactured at its own catalyst production facilities to licensees.
About the Gas-Phase Beckmann Rearrangement Technology for Caprolactam Production
This technology produces caprolactam, a raw material for nylon 6, using cyclohexanone oxime as a feedstock. It is the world’s first commercial-scale process that does not generate ammonium sulfate as a by-product and enables the production of only high-quality caprolactam.
About HighChem’s Licensing Business
HighChem has expanded its licensing business by combining its deep technical expertise and market development capabilities in the Japanese and Chinese chemical markets with its in-house R&D and manufacturing strengths. In particular, the SEG® (Syngas to Ethylene Glycol) technology has been marketed primarily in China, resulting in a total of 23 license agreements and a combined production capacity of approximately 10 million tons per year, demonstrating a strong track record in implementing core Japanese technologies into society. Moreover, HighChem owns a catalyst production plant in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China, and operates research facilities in both Japan and China, with extensive achievements in providing high-quality catalysts and improving, refining, and scaling up processes.
HighChem will continue to expand its global licensing activities based on its outstanding marketing and technological capabilities, delivering Japan’s advanced technologies worldwide and bringing them into practical use.
About Sumitomo Chemical
Sumitomo Chemical is a comprehensive chemical manufacturer operating across four sectors: Agro & Life Solutions, ICT & Mobility Solutions, Advanced Medical Solutions, and Essential & Green Materials. Sumitomo Chemical is currently accelerating business restructuring as part of a short-term performance improvement strategy. Through steady progress on these initiatives, the company aims to firmly achieve a V-shaped recovery in fiscal 2024 while advancing fundamental structural reforms.
About HighChem Co., Ltd
HighChem operates as both a chemical trading company and manufacturer, handling a wide range of products and technologies—from life sciences including pharmaceuticals, food, and agrochemicals, to cutting-edge electronic materials. Its sustainability-focused manufacturing division operates four R&D centers and a large-scale catalyst plant in Japan and China, leveraging its C1-based SEG® technology (with a licensing record of 10 million tons annually) to develop and commercialize CO₂-based chemical production, as well as pursue biotechnology and next-generation battery technology. HighChem will continue to drive global expansion through 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