During the period under review, Tosoh allocated ¥1.9 billion to Petrochemical Group R&D. The group, in turn, continued and continues to develop and commercialize PPS to meet the demand for increasingly lightweight and complex automotive components. It also continues its R&D on grades of CR for transmission belts.
Petrochemical Group R&D is dedicated to developing and improving polymers and related technologies. R&D into unique, high-value-added polyethylene products of superior functionality is ongoing. The group is also developing new and improving grades of laminate products, food packaging materials, and other related products. It is making progress toward clean, heat-resistant grades of polyethylene products intended for medical applications.
Using Tosoh’s new, proprietary catalyst, the Petrochemical Group has developed a world-class, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Applications being developed for this product are wide ranging and include separators for lithium secondary batteries, sliding parts, and more.
Tosoh is the world’s top manufacturer of CSM. Through the Petrochemical Group, it is establishing a reputation among customers and is expanding the market for this high-quality product. The group is also developing applications for PVC paste in wallpaper, flooring materials, and other applications by listening to the market and responding to customers’ needs. In addition, the Petrochemical Group is devising polymer materials based on unique concepts for their use as LCD materials, flexible display substrate materials, and other applications.