Functional Materials Business / Metal Coatings Business

• Additives for in-vehicle electronic components
• Lubricants for electronic units
• Anti-corrosion coatings
• Overcoat materials for LCD color filters
• Resin additives, such as noise reduction agents
• Anti-fog agents for LED headlamps
  　

Because EVs emit no GHGs while driving, they are expected to contribute to climate change mitigation. In addition, compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, it is predicted that EVs will require more electronic components (passive components), electronic units, LCD panels, silent components, and power-saving components. Thus, the NOF Group’s products used in these applications will contribute in this area. Climate change mitigation also contributes to biodiversity because it reduces the ecological imbalance caused by global warming.

Functional Materials Business / Metal Coatings Business

• Organic peroxides for cross-linked polyethylene
• Biodegradable lubricants
• Anti-corrosion coatings
  　

Renewable energy such as wind and solar power is becoming increasingly important because it does not generate GHG emissions. Our anti-corrosion coatings and biodegradable lubricants used in bolts and gears for wind power generation blades as well as solar panel mounting components contribute in this area. In addition, ultra-high-voltage and high-voltage power lines are indispensable for transmitting electricity generated by wind and solar power. Thus, our organic peroxides used in cross-linked polyethylene for coating materials contribute to the spread of renewable energy.

Explosives & Propulsion Business / Nippon Koki Co., Ltd.

• Antifreezing agents
• Automatic antifreezing agent spraying devices
  　

Calcium chloride and other antifreezing agents conventionally used on road surfaces in cold areas have caused the issue of “salt damage.” KAMAGU® is an acetic acid-derived antifreezing agent containing no chloride, thus it can be used without fear of such salt damage. KAMAGU® is also eco-friendly with minimal impact on plants. AUTOKAMAGU JET®, an automatic antifreezing agent spraying device, is a sensor-based system that automatically sprays KAMAGU® onto snowy or icy roads. Some models operate on 100% renewable energy from solar panels, thereby also contributing to climate change mitigation. Advanced road-surface management using remote monitoring and control is also possible, contributing together with the antifreezing agent to environmental conservation and traffic safety.

Functional Materials Business

• Plant-derived PAG derivatives
  　

Polyalkylene glycol (PAG) derivatives are used in cosmetics and industrial products due to their moisturizing, lubricating, and other properties. In the cosmetics industry in particular, the adoption of naturally derived raw materials is gaining momentum thanks to European manufacturers, whose consumers have high expectations in terms of eco-friendly products. The issue is, however, that efforts to move away from petrochemical-derived products have not actually made much progress. Under these circumstances, the plant-derived PAG derivative developed by NOF has the potential to become a leading material in the industry. We will also widely promote eco-friendly products in non-cosmetic fields, such as sealants, coatings, and other industrial products.

Functional Materials Business

• Water-based acrylic binders for substrates

Demand for ceramic substrates and green sheets is increasing due to the enhanced performance and miniaturization of vehicles, electronic devices, telecommunications equipment, and similar products. Solvent-based binders, which are high in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), have typically been used as binding agents to form these items. NOF’s water-based acrylic binder, MARPROOF® AE-002, not only reduces environmental impact and improves worker safety due to its low VOC levels, but also offers excellent thermal decomposition at low temperatures, thereby achieving energy saving.

Functional Materials Business

• Organic peroxides for resin window sashes

　
Resin window sashes made using vinyl chloride contribute to the spread of energy- efficient housing due to their excellent heat insulation properties. Organic peroxides are used as polymerization initiators for the vinyl chloride resin, and thus contribute to the spread of energy conservation.

Functional Foods Business

• Oils and fats for meat alternatives
  
  

GHG (particularly methane) generated from the livestock industry, and protein shortages caused by rapid global population growth have prompted efforts to explore new sources of protein. NOF’s oils and fats for meat alternatives are working toward the spread of soy protein and other such meat alternatives as they enhance the flavor and texture of these products through our proprietary oil and fat processing technologies.

Functional Materials Business

• Copper paste
  　

When copper wiring is formed on printed circuit boards, conventional methods such as etching generate hazardous liquid waste during dissolution. NOF therefore developed a copper paste suitable for screen printing, which can form copper wiring directly. “CP-602AA,” which can be sintered at low temperatures, also contributes to energy conservation. We have also newly developed “CP-1006ZN,” a copper paste for semiconductor bonding, which helps reduce environmental impact as an alternative to lead solder.

Functional Foods Business

• Functional food materials
  　

Disposing of food that has gone past its expiry date leads to food loss, and this has made securing food resources an issue. NOF provides functional food materials that can maintain the softness and improve the texture and volume of breads and sweets, thereby contributing to reduction of food loss by preventing waste due to expiration.

Explosives & Propulsion Business / Nippon Koki Co., Ltd. / NiGK Corporation

• Ocean equipment, rocket fuel
• Industrial explosives  
• Temperature indicator materials
  　

As climate change progresses, the need to survey the entire planet, including seawater temperatures and air quality, may increase. In addition, there may be an increase in embankment construction to safeguard against the risk of storm surges and other such conditions. Ocean equipment and rocket fuel necessary for these environmental information surveys, as well as industrial explosives used to procure rocks and sediment from the mountains, will therefore contribute in this area.

Functional Materials Business

• Low-VOC* curing agents
  　

Bathtubs are manufactured by thermally curing unsaturated polyester resin. PERHEXYL® A is a curing agent that can shorten the molding cycle, and further, can significantly reduce VOCs*, compounds remaining in molded products that impact the environment.

Functional Materials Business

• Base material for refrigerating oils
  　

Alternative CFCs that do not deplete the ozone layer are being increasingly used in refrigerants used in air conditioners and refrigerators. Base materials for refrigerating oils enhance miscibility with alternative CFCs and improve their thermal stability, electrical insulation performance, and other factors. Moreover, the low viscosity of refrigerating machine oils contributes to energy saving. In recent years, refrigerants with a lower global warming potential than before are required.

NOF is now supplying refrigerating machine oil for refrigerants with a lower global warming potential.

Functional Materials Business/ Life Science Business

• Additives for disinfectants and diagnostic pharmaceuticals
• Pharmaceutical raw materials
  　

Should tropical infectious diseases and other diseases and disorders spread due to the effects of climate change, then our disinfectants for infectious diseases and additives for diagnostic pharmaceuticals, as well as our pharmaceutical raw materials for combatting diseases and disorders, will contribute in this area.

Functional Materials Business

• Base material for refrigerating oils
• Polybutene for air conditioner putty
• Anti-corrosion coatings
  　

As temperatures rise, there is an increasing need for air conditioners and refrigerators across the world, including in developing countries. Base materials for refrigerating oils, which are used in refrigeration lubricants, as well as anti-corrosion coatings for fastening parts in external air conditioner units and polybutene for air conditioner putty, which is used to plug gaps formed by holes in external walls, therefore contribute in this area.

Functional Materials Business

• Plant-derived water-based moisturizing oil
  　

“NATUWIL” is a 100% plant-derived product that delivers the high stability and moisturizing effects of the water-soluble moisturizing oil “WILBRIDE.” Cosmetics have traditionally used many petroleum-derived ingredients. However, growing interest in the environment and safety has recently increased demand for replacement with more sustainable plant-derived ingredients. In addition to selling this product in Japan, we will expand sales in Europe, where regulations on petroleum-derived ingredients are becoming stricter, and China, where the cosmetics market
is growing.

Functional Materials Business

• Eco-friendly stern tube bearing oil
  　

After a major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, the United States’ 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) regulation came into effect for all vessels in 2013. This regulation led to growing global demand for biodegradable and eco-friendly lubricants. We developed MILLUBE® ST-100U, a stern tube bearing oil that meets the needs of the market by greatly improving the lubrication and anti-corrosion of conventional biodegradable lubricants offered by competitor companies. At the same time, the product satisfies the 2013 VGP regulation in terms of high biodegradability, low toxicity, and low bioaccumulation, thereby contributing to the conservation of marine environments as a superior lubricant.

Explosives & Propulsion Business

• Lead-free products (for detonators, hunting, and competitions, etc.)
  　

Progress is being made in removing lead from small arms that have conventionally contained large amounts of lead, such as detonators and shot. Lead may poison birds of prey and cause soil and water pollution. Lead in detonators may also vaporize during firing and harm human health. Lead-free products therefore contribute to environmental conservation and risk reduction.

Explosives & Propulsion Business / Nippon Koki Co., Ltd.

• Neutral antifreeze solution for the livestock industry
  　

Barns, vehicles, and other places are disinfected in order to hygienically manage livestock; however, disinfectants must be mixed with antifreeze to prevent them from freezing in the winter months. We contribute to the protection of animals with Viva Frostir®, a neutral antifreeze solution for the livestock industry that is gentle for both humans and animals.

Functional Materials Business / YUKA SANGYO CO., LTD.

• Deposit control agents
  　

Recycled paper resources contain numerous impurities, including sticky substances such as adhesives. These impurities lower the efficiency of the paper recycling process and impact the quality of the product. Pitch control agents MILLSPRAY®, SPANOL®, and DETAC® and removing agent BIOREX® have solved these problems to promote the use of recycled paper.

Functional Materials Business

• Anti-sticking agents for asphalt mixtures
  　

In road construction, asphalt mixtures often stick to cargo beds of trucks and hoppers used within plant facilities, etc. Petroleum-derived solvents have therefore been used to prevent this from happening. However, conventional adhesion preventers have negative impacts on the environment, such as soil and water contamination. ASPHARAB®, made from natural oil, contributes to environmental conservation as a highly biodegradable product.

Functional Materials Business / YUKA SANGYO CO., LTD.

• Agriculture-related products (NEODRINK®, Za Yoroi-Otoshi)
  　

NEODRINK® is a nutritional supplement that maintains the physical strength of weak calves, while Za Yoroi-Otoshi helps reduce stress in cows by quickly removing stubborn dirt stuck to
the cows’ bodies.

Explosives & Propulsion Business / NiGK Corporation

• Cement capsules
  　

A cement capsule is an (inorganic) adhesive- based capsule anchor for post-installation mainly intended for use in anti-earthquake reinforcement work. This product is more resistant to fire than resin products, and it also excels in safety due to containing no harmful chemicals that could lead to sick building syndrome.

Functional Foods Business

• Functional food materials
  
  

Lutein compound modifier LP-V™ is a product for baked goods that contains lettuce powder. The process of growing lettuce in plants generates leaves that are primarily disposed of while shaping lettuces prior to shipping. Seeing these discarded leaves as an unutilized resource, we have blended them into LP-V™. This eco-friendly product improves the physical properties and texture of dough due to the effect of lutein, which is contained in lettuce leaves. In addition, we have also developed Hokkaido White Grape Peel Powder, a material for health food made by effectively utilizing the pomace from pressed white grapes (Hokkaido Niagara grapes) produced during wine production. The powder improves moisture in skin and maintains skin elasticity through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other properties. Since it is an upcycled material that utilizes resources that would have originally been discarded, it can minimize environmental impact.

Functional Materials Business

• Vulcanized rubber substitutes
  　

While large quantities of vulcanized rubber are used in auto parts and sealing materials, which need to be highly resistant to heat and oil, vulcanized rubber cannot be melted down once it has been molded, and cannot therefore be recycled. In contrast, the NOFALLOY® TZ series, which can be heated and remelted as many times as wanted for recycling, is extensively utilized as a substitute for vulcanized rubber.

Metal Coatings Business / NOF METAL COATINGS ASIA PACIFIC CO., LTD.

• Water-based / chromium-free anti-corrosion coatings
  　

GEOMET® is a water-based, chromium-free anti-corrosion coating that contains no chrome compounds. Satisfying the requirements of Europe’s ELV*1 and RoHS*2 directives, GEOMET® treated parts are used by automakers all across the world.

1. End of life vehicles,Scrapped automobiles
2. Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment

Explosives & Propulsion Business / Nippon Koki Co., Ltd.

• Steam pressure fracturing agents, GANSIZER®
  　

GANSIZER® uses the high vapor pressure generated during the thermolysis of the agent to crush bedrock, stone, and concrete structures with little vibration or noise. The agent has been highly evaluated as an explosive-free crushing agent that is kind to the surrounding environment. It has a strong track record in situations such as crushing concrete and excavation works near rivers, and was also used under the sea for crushing of breakwaters that were destroyed during the Great East
Japan Earthquake.

Functional Materials Business

• Composite metallic soap (talc-alternative material for cosmetics)
  　

Talc has traditionally been widely used in cosmetic powders such as foundation. In recent years, however, safety concerns have arisen, particularly in Europe, increasing demand for sustainable alternatives. To meet this need, NOF developed a composite metallic soap as an alternative to talc. Plant-derived, highly biodegradable metallic soap can reproduce talc’s natural whiteness and moist texture. However, when used in large quantities, it readily absorbs oil, making the powder difficult to pick up with a puff or brush. NOF therefore combined metallic soap with plate-like glass to improve usability. This product is expected to serve as a material that offers both low environmental impact and safety.

Functional Materials Business

• High-purity palmitoleic acid
  　

Palmitoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid found in abundance in macadamia nuts, avocado oil, and fish oil. The market is expected to grow by 12% annually, primarily for healthcare applications, but high-purity products had not been industrialized apart from certain reagents. Conventional products generally contained less than 35% of palmitoleic acid, but NOF has used its oil and fat refining technologies to achieve purity of up to 80% to 90%. Using this high-purity palmitoleic acid as a culture medium material for mycorrhizal fungi that support crop growth is expected to draw out plants’ natural resilience and curb the excessive use of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers. For cosmetics, it has been confirmed to inhibit the growth of acne bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus, which cause skin problems, and we will propose its use in skincare products such as creams
and lotions.

Functional Materials Business

• Non-fluorine water and oil repellent
  　

Organic fluorine compounds* (PFAS), which have been used to make products water repellent, are known for their poor biodegradability, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. For this reason, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has unveiled proposed restrictions on their use. In response, NOF has developed BLEMMER® HU-SP, a PFAS-free product partially made with plant-derived materials, as a water-resistant raw material. In addition, in 2024, we announced the MODIPER® WR Series, which is both water and oil repellent. It has been a longstanding challenge to make non-fluorine materials oil repellent, but with this product, it is possible to use such materials in, for example, clothing required to be resistant against stains from human sebum. In meeting the growing need for PFAS substitutes in applications such as paper, textiles, and leather products, we will contribute to environmental conservation and health maintenance.