Tokyo, Japan— Tosoh considers itself a hybrid company with a mix of commodity (mainly commodity chemicals) and specialty (mainly specialty materials). The specialty business accounts for more than half of its profits and fulfills as such a strategic importance. The product lines are comprised of the clinical diagnostic systems and other materials and equipment of the Bioscience Division, the high performance organic chemicals that form the core of the Organic Chemicals Division, and the high performance inorganic materials that make up the nucleus of the Advanced Materials Division.
The Advanced Materials Division is developing its business around a range of materials that contribute to energy conservation, environmental protection, and better health and more bountiful lifestyles. 1) Electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) is used to produce cathodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and dry cell batteries, while 2) synthetic zeolite is used as a catalyst in petrochemical reactions and a catalyst or adsorbent in processing gas emissions from automobiles or semiconductor plants.3) Zirconia powder is a fine ceramic that finds application in structural materials, dental tools and materials, and other products that require superior durability. 4) Tosoh’s quartz and fabricated quartzware are used as equipment in the manufacture of semiconductors, liquid crystal panels, and solar cells and as testing equipment in the medical field. 5) The company’s sputtering targets also play an important role as materials in the manufacture of semiconductors, liquid crystal panels, and solar cells.
To proceed with its major strengthening of the Advanced Materials Division in Japan, Tosoh has decided to build a chemical manganese oxide plant to supply material for manufacturing cathodes for LIBs. The plant will be constructed at group company Tosoh Hyuga Corporation’s plant site in Hyuga, Miyazaki Prefecture. Tosoh is also planning to expand production capacity for high silica zeolite (HSZ®) for catalytic converter exhaust systems for automobiles at its Yokkaichi Complex and for yttria-stabalized zirconia powder at its Nanyo Complex.
All of these products are advanced materials that anticipate and are essential to fulfilling the social need for energy conservation, environmental protection, and better health and more bountiful lifestyles. Chemical manganese oxide targets the expected demand growth for LIB cathode materials as electric cars become popular. HSZ meets the expanding need for better exhaust systems for diesel and gasoline engines to meet higher emission standards. And zirconia meets the need for biocompatible engineering materials for dental implants and artificial joints.
Tosoh has decided to build new plants and expand production capacities in Japan to manufacture these advanced materials. It is the company’s hope that these new materials will support the continued development of Japan’s area of industrial expertise—so-called monozukuri or manufacturing craftsmanship. In addition, the company will be receiving financial assistance under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s domestic development assistance schemes for these projects. Through this strategy, Tosoh plans to contribute to the vitalization of domestic industry, to drive global economic expansion with Japanese products, and to further expand its business scope and strengthen its earnings capability.
TOSOH CORPORATION
WHO WE ARE
Tosoh Corporation is a Japanese chemical company established in 1935 and listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It is the parent of the Tosoh Group, which comprises 133 companies worldwide and a multiethnic workforce of over 11,000 people and generated net sales of ¥684.4 billion (US$8.2 billion at the year-end rate of ¥83.15 to the US dollar) in fiscal 2011, ended March 31, 2011.
WHAT WE DO
Tosoh is one of the largest chlor-alkali manufacturers in Asia. The Company supplies the plastic resins and an array of the basic chemicals that support modern life. Tosoh's petrochemical operations supply ethylene, polymers, and polyethylene, while its advanced materials business serves the global semiconductor, display, and solar industries. Tosoh has also pioneered sophisticated bioscience systems that are used for the rapid diagnosis of life-threatening diseases, such as diabetes and certain cancers, and to prevent epidemics by identifying pathogenic microbes. In addition, Tosoh develops products and provides services to purify water and to monitor the environment as part of a commitment to a sustainable future.
Stock Exchange Ticker Symbol: JP: 4042