Innovation Activities
Components with Compliant Mechanism Design Adopted for Lunar Rover YAOKI
Resin components with compliant mechanism design¡ªintegrating our material expertise and advanced technologies in structural design and optimization simulation¡ªhave been adopted for the lunar rover YAOKI, developed by Dymon Co., Ltd. In March 2025, YAOKI successfully captured images of the lunar surface and transmitted the data back to Earth¡ªa milestone achieved for the first time by a private-sector project in Japan.
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Apr. 12, 2024¡¡Components with Compliant Mechanism Design Adopted for Lunar Rover YAOKI
BENEBiOL?¡ªIntroducing New Grades with Higher Biomass Content
In October 2024, we launched new grades of BENEBiOL?, a biomass-based polycarbonatediol. These grades offer higher biomass content while ensuring excellent properties, including flexibility without compromising chemical resistance, stain resistance, and a distinctive tactile feel.
Joint Carbon Black Recycling Project for Tires Launched with Sumitomo Rubber
In January 2025, we launched a joint chemical recycling project with Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. as part of our commitment to resource circulation. Through this project, carbon black, a key material used in tires, is recovered from rubber chippings generated during tire manufacturing and from crushed end-of-life tires, and then reused in tire production.
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Comprehensive Partnership Agreement to Promote Recycling of Plastic Packaging
In February 2025, we entered into a comprehensive partnership agreement with Kashima City (Ibaraki Prefecture), REFINVERSE, Inc., Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd., Kewpie Corporation, and KASUMI CO., LTD. to promote closed-loop recycling of plastic packaging in Ibaraki Prefecture. A pilot project to recycle collected used plastics at a chemical recycling plant is scheduled to begin in 2025.
Demonstration Tests with Chaintope on Traceability System for Chemical Recycling
We conducted demonstration tests on a traceability system in collaboration with Chaintope Inc. The system is designed to help establish transparent and reliable supply chains by enabling tamper-proof management and sharing of information such as the types of waste plastics used as feedstock for recycling.
