Because Tosoh is principally a materials manufacturer, it does not produce a host of end-user products.  End users, however, do come in direct contact with many of our polymers and other materials. Therefore, we conduct R&D aimed at improving consumers’ lifestyles through developing safer and better materials.

Tosoh’s major bulk products include polyethylene, EVA, polyvinyl chloride, chloroprene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, and hot-melt adhesives. We are improving these bulk products to develop grades that more directly match customer needs. For example, we are developing markets for specialty polyethylene for intravenous drip bags and film used in the agriculture field and for EVA for heat-resistant hot-melt adhesives. We also have introduced a low viscous grade polyvinyl chloride paste.

Tosoh also produces an important engineering plastic, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), of which it is developing improved grades for electrical and electronic parts, optical devices, and automotive parts. Recently, demand for PPS has begun emerging from hybrid car manufacturers.

Tosoh’s tertiary-amine catalyst for making polyurethane foam is used in a range of products, such as car seats, sofas, insulation, and shoe soles. Our expertise in this area has led to our development of many new catalysts to meet the need for CFC-free and amine emission-free environmentally friendly processes.