Focus Research and Development Themes

Toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society, there is attention on green hydrogen that is manufactured through water electrolysis using renewable energy without emitting carbon dioxide.
According to the International Energy Agency, the global hydrogen market is expected to grow to an annual scale of several trillion yen by 2030. The Japanese government has also positioned hydrogen as a key energy carrier toward achieving carbon neutrality.
Currently, water electrolysis using proton exchange membranes is the mainstream. Cost is an issue as it requires catalysts that use rare metals such as platinum. In recent years, there is attention on water electrolysis using anion exchange membranes where affordable metal catalysts, such as nickel, are used and efficient production is possible. It is looked upon as a potential next-generation hydrogen production technology.
However, because anion exchange membrane are used for extended periods under high-temperature and strongly alkaline conditions, ensuring their durability has been a major challenge for practical application.
At Institute of Science Tokyo, material design based on a thorough understanding of degradation mechanisms has led to the successful development of an anion exchange membrane with excellent long-term durability. Building on these research outcomes, Nippon Kayaku is advancing the commercialization of this membrane by integrating its expertise in molecular design and synthesis of polymer materials—cultivated through its functional materials business—with the precision film processing technologies of its Polatechno business. These combined capabilities are being leveraged to establish production processes and enable mass manufacturing.
With significant market expansion expected from 2030 onward, we began providing development samples for demonstration purposes in 2026 under the trademark IEMAQU. In addition to outstanding durability, IEMAQU is characterized by superior dimensional stability and excellent gas barrier properties.
Through this initiative, we aim to realize the low-cost production of green hydrogen, thereby contributing to the development of a hydrogen-based society and enhancing the competitiveness of domestic industries.

Toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, the world is currently facing the major issue of moving away from dependence on fossil fuels. To address this issue, we saw great potential in the unique zeolite catalyst technology of iPEACE223 Inc. In FY2024, we invested in iPEACE223 and embarked on full-scale joint research and development.
iPEACE223 develops an innovative catalyst and process for high-efficiency, low-cost production of propylene—a raw material for plastics and synthetic fibers—from bioethanol, a fuel additive that is widely used worldwide. This “green propylene” has the potential to significantly contribute to decarbonization across the supply chain as a fuel and as a raw material for acrylic acids and methacrylic acids, which are also part of our business.
The greatest feature of iPEACE223’s technology is that it can produce propylene from ethylene in one step with extremely high efficiency using its unique zeolite catalyst. Besides solving the issue of exchange efficiency in existing multi-step production methods, it can limit energy-equivalent CO2 emissions to about one-third compared to petroleum-based processes.
We are advancing practical application of this innovative technology by combining the innovative catalyst and plant design technologies of iPEACE223 with the catalyst development and industrialization expertise of Nippon Kayaku. We are accelerating development, aiming for catalyst launch in 2030 as well as stable supply. Nippon Kayaku will continue to promote research and development that provides green materials as options for all aspects of life.