HighChem Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Ushio Taka) has signed an agreement with Ricoh Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Akira Oyama) to acquire the intellectual property rights related to high molecular weight PLA technology and knowledge.
Since 2021, HighChem and Ricoh have been jointly developing high molecular weight PLA for mass production using supercritical carbon dioxide. With this transfer, HighChem will continue advancing the development while inheriting the intellectual property rights of the technology and expanding licensing activities in regions around the world, including China.
About High Molecular Weight PLA
High molecular weight PLA refers to polylactic acid (PLA) with a weight-average molecular weight of 300,000 or more. PLA is biodegradable, breaking down into water and carbon dioxide under certain conditions, which helps reduce environmental pollution. However, compared to fossil-derived plastics, PLA has lower molecular weight and simpler chemical structure, which results in lower strength and heat resistance. Ricoh has developed a technology for manufacturing high molecular weight PLA using a plasticization polymerization method with supercritical carbon dioxide, which it has cultivated over the years.
About HighChem’s Biodegradable Materials Business
HighChem has been actively working to develop the biodegradable materials market, including signing a strategic business partnership agreement with Anhui Fengyuan Group Co., Ltd., the largest PLA manufacturer in China. In addition to PLA, HighChem has built a system for importing and selling a total of seven types of biodegradable materials, including Polybutylene Adipate/ terephthalate (PBAT) and marine-degradable resin (PHA). Furthermore, in December 2021, HighChem launched "HIGHLACT®," a next-generation PLA material, and has also been developing PLA fibers for the apparel industry.
About HighChem’s Licensing Business
HighChem has developed its licensing business by combining its deep technical expertise and market development capabilities in the chemical markets of Japan and China with its own research and development capabilities and manufacturing ability. In particular, with its SEG® (Syngas to Ethylene Glycol) technology for producing ethylene glycol from syngas, HighChem has expanded marketing activities, especially in China, and has signed 23 licensing agreements, with a total production capacity of approximately 10 million tons per year. HighChem has a strong track record of successfully implementing Japan's core technologies into society. Additionally, HighChem owns its own catalyst factory in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China, as well as research facilities in Japan and China, and has extensive achievements in providing high-quality catalysts, improving processes, and scaling up operations. HighChem will continue to expand its licensing activities globally, based on its excellent marketing and technical capabilities, and will deploy Japan’s superior technologies worldwide, driving their implementation.
Ricoh Co., Ltd. Overview
Ricoh Co., Ltd. Overview
Company Name: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
Location: 1-3-6 Naka-Magome, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Business Description: Manufacturing and sales of office services, office printing, commercial printing, industrial printing, thermal and industrial products, digital cameras, etc.
Company Overview: HighChem Co., Ltd. (https://highchem.co.jp/)
HighChem is a Chemicals trading company and manufacturer, and its trading division handles a wide range of products and technologies, from pharmaceuticals, food, and pesticides in the Life science field to cutting-edge Electronics materials. In addition, its sustainability division, which mainly functions as a manufacturer, owns four research laboratories and a catalyst mass production plant in Japan and China, and is focusing on the development and commercialization of decarbonization technology that uses CO2 to manufacture Chemicals, leveraging its C1-type SEG® technology, which boasts an annual license production of 10 million tons, as well as the development of biochemical technology and next-generation battery technology. Going forward, the company will continue to expand its business globally, centering on more innovative products, technologies, and services.
Company name: HighChem Company Limited (https://highchem.co.jp/)
Address: Tokyo Toranomon Global Square 11th floor, 1-3-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Pepresentative Director: Taka Ushio
Business overview: Import/export sales and outsourced manufacturing of Chemicals / Technology Licensing related business/catalyst manufacturing and sales/ Biodegradable Materials sales, etc.
[Related article] HighChem and Ricoh begin joint development of mass production High molecular weight PLA ://highchem.co.jp/topics/220124/
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Media inquiries regarding this release
HighChem Co., Ltd. PR Division – Eriko Kuroiwa
E-mail: kuroiwa@highchem.co.jp Phone: +81-3-5251-8580 / +81-90-6539-4213 (Kuroiwa)