Articles from Asahi Kasei

Asahi Kasei, a diversified global company, announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Aicuris Anti-infective Cures AG (Aicuris), a German-based biopharmaceutical company. This closing marks a key step in accelerating the company’s efforts to build a global specialty pharmaceutical platform by expanding further into severe infectious diseases.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified global company, today announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial for AK1940, a novel peptide-based investigational compound developed to address significant unmet medical needs in patients with autoimmune diseases. The trial is being conducted by Asahi Kasei Therapeutics Corp., its pharmaceutical subsidiary based in Japan.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM), in collaboration with the Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study, has successfully achieved laser oscillation in a 2 µm-band infrared photonic crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL). This milestone will enable the miniaturization of next-generation sensing systems while maintaining PCSEL’s high directionality and narrow spectral bandwidth.

Six engineers from Asahi Kasei, a diversified global company, were awarded the Tanahashi Prize for their contributions to the development and long-term operation of an alkaline-water electrolysis system for the large-scale production of clean hydrogen. Established in 1952, the Tanahashi Prize is awarded by the Electrochemical Society of Japan to individuals who have made outstanding achievements in technological development based on electrochemistry and industrial physical chemistry. The award ceremony was held on March 18 in Tokyo.

Asahi Kasei Pharma announced that it has strengthened its drug discovery pipeline through an exclusive global license agreement regarding novel lead compounds for a single target with Alchemedicine, a company specializing in the discovery of small molecule drugs. The license agreement was executed on February 3, 2026, and follows the companies’ recent announcement on advancing AK1960 to a Phase I study.

Asahi Kasei Pharma, a global provider of healthcare and pharmaceutical solutions, in collaboration with Alchemedicine, has announced that its novel Endothelin A (ETA) receptor antagonist AK1960 has advanced to a Phase I clinical study following a successful preclinical phase. AK1960 is expected to be used in the treatment of various refractory diseases—medical conditions resistant to standard therapies. The initiation of a Phase I study is considered a significant step toward growing Asahi Kasei’s healthcare impact.

As global regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) tighten across the European Union and the United States, manufacturers across industries are urgently seeking high-performance materials that meet evolving environmental and safety standards—without compromising technical performance. Asahi Kasei, a diversified global company, announced the development of a new PFAS-free polyamide (PA) engineered specifically for demanding low-friction applications.

Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical have explored measures to promote decarbonization and optimize production capacity for their two ethylene manufacturing facilities in western Japan.

Senseair, Swedish subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Microdevices, has developed the “S12 CO2” as a next-generation CO2 sensor for demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) in zero-energy buildings and battery-powered indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring. The new model is approximately 75% smaller in volume than its predecessors and can be used as a surface-mount device (SMD) on circuit boards while maintaining high accuracy and low power consumption. This enables sensor integration in applications where installation was previously difficult. Senseair has already begun sample distribution and plans to initiate mass production in 2026.

Asahi Kasei announced that ZOLL® Medical, an Asahi Kasei company, has launched the next-generation LifeVest® wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) in the U.S., and completed the U.S. rollout of the most comfortable LifeVest garment ever.¹ With more than 140,000 patients in peer-reviewed clinical publications and well over one million lives protected, LifeVest is the most used, studied and proven wearable defibrillator.

Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation has announced plans to relocate its R&D hub from Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture (Ohito) to Shonan Health Innovation Park (Shonan iPark) in January 2027. The move will strengthen the company’s global R&D capabilities for its pharmaceuticals business and accelerate open innovation through collaboration with external partners to advance drug discovery.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) and Aizip have partnered to showcase two innovations in AI-enhanced sensing: real-time swallowing detection using millimeter-wave radar and gesture recognition utilizing electromyography (EMG). This collaboration pairs AKM’s sensing hardware with Aizip’s lightweight artificial intelligence (AI) models to provide manufacturers with solutions that don’t require in-house AI expertise. AKM will demonstrate these technologies at CES® 2026 in the Digital Health section of the Venetian Expo at booth 54829.

Asahi Kasei received a 2025 TSMC Excellent Performance Award for “Excellent Technology Development and Production Support” in Advanced Packaging materials at the 2025 Supply Chain Management Forum held by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. on November 25, 2025.

Asahi Kasei will discontinue production of hexamethylene diamine (HMD) as part of its ongoing portfolio optimization, aiming to enhance capital efficiency and strengthen the company’s earnings profile.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified global manufacturer in the Healthcare, Homes, and Material sectors, announces its strategic divestiture of Daramic, a lead battery separator business, to Kingswood Capital Management, LP. The Daramic business transfer closed on December 1, 2025. The effect on Asahi Kasei’s consolidated financial results for fiscal 2025 is immaterial.

Asahi Kasei has announced that Asahi Kasei and Teijin Limited (“Teijin”) have entered into an agreement today to implement an absorption-type merger between Asahi Kasei Advance Corp. (“Asahi Kasei Advance”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, and Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. (“Teijin Frontier”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Teijin, whereby Teijin Frontier will serve as the surviving company and become a joint venture between Asahi Kasei (20%) and Teijin (80%), effective October 1, 2026.

Asahi Kasei Corporation has earned top honors in the 2025 BioTech Breakthrough Awards, winning the Biomanufacturing Innovation of the Year for its Planova™ FG1 virus removal filter, developed by its Asahi Kasei Bioprocess business unit. Designed to meet the demands of high-throughput biologics production, the FG1 filter features a newly engineered hydrophilic modified polyethersulfone (PES) membrane that achieves both high permeability and robust virus retention, advancing efficiency and safety in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei and German battery manufacturer EAS Batteries signed a license agreement for the use of Asahi Kasei's acetonitrile-containing electrolyte technology. The electrolyte will be used in EAS' novel ultra-high-power lithium-ion battery cell using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode. The electrolyte's high ionic conductivity contributes to reduced internal cell resistance and enhanced rate capability, even under demanding temperature conditions. The market launch of EAS Batteries’ new cell utilizing this technology is in line with Asahi Kasei’s commercialization plans, with the product scheduled to be released no later than March 2026.

Asahi Kasei has announced the official approval of new facilities at its Kawasaki Works to manufacture electrolysis system components for both alkaline water electrolysis and chlor-alkali electrolysis. Alkaline water electrolysis systems in particular are expected to enjoy significant demand growth as production of clean hydrogen becomes widespread. Through strategic allocation of resources for expansion, the company expects that hydrogen-related business will become a growing part of its Material sector over the coming years.

Asahi Kasei, a trusted provider in healthcare materials and technology, announced that it will launch two new specialty grades in its Sonanos™ portfolio. Paid samples are already available, and products manufactured in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) are scheduled for sale in 2027. Sonanos™ is a next-generation excipient designed to improve the formulation of injectable drugs. This aligns with the company’s long-term growth strategy to enhance its presence in the fast-growing pharmaceutical materials market.

Portuguese chemical manufacturer Bondalti Chemicals has successfully started operation of its state-of-the-art chlor-alkali production facility in Estarreja, Portugal. Constructed by German engineering company CAC Engineering and using Asahi Kasei’s state-of-the-art chlor-alkali electrolysis technology, the improved plant will also be utilized for further reducing power consumption and optimizing the use of materials in the chlor-alkali industry.

Bionova Scientific®, a full-service biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) and subsidiary of global conglomerate Asahi Kasei, has announced the opening of a 10,000 square-foot state-of-the-art plasmid DNA (pDNA) development and production facility in The Woodlands, Texas.

Diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei has successfully completed a demonstration trial of an innovative biogas purification system using zeolites in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Begun in February 2025, the trial achieved biomethane production with yield of up to 99.5% or more and purity of 97% or more. With such exceptional performance in both yield and purity, the system holds promise for the cost-effective production and utilization of biogas and biomethane across industries. Targeting commercialization in 2027, Asahi Kasei has launched full-fledged activity to license the technology to partners worldwide.

Diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei and Toyota Tsusho have established a strategic partnership for the supply of automotive lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator in North America. Their respective subsidiaries in the U.S., Asahi Kasei Battery Separator America, LLC (AKBSA) and Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. (TAI), have finalized a capacity rights agreement for AKBSA to supply Hipore™ wet-process LIB separator to TAI.

Diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei will supply its Aqualyzer™-C3 containerized 1 MW-class alkaline-water electrolyzer to the Central Finland Mobility Foundation (Cefmof). The system will play an essential role in Central Finland’s hydrogen production and contribute to the region’s decarbonization efforts. Full operation is expected to begin in the first half of 2026.

Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei has announced that its Microza & Water Processing Division, which provides Microza® hollow-fiber membranes for filtration and separation, received a Gold rating in the EcoVadis sustainability assessment conducted in June 2025. EcoVadis is a sustainability assessment company based in France that performs the review annually. This rating places the Asahi Kasei division among the top 5% of all entities assessed.

Asahi Kasei has received the 2025 Imperial Invention Prize from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation, the highest award presented at the 2025 National Commendation for Invention. The formal award ceremony is scheduled to be held on July 1, 2025. The company was honored for its invention of a nickel-coated absorption layer, which extends the service life of electrodes for chlor-alkali electrolysis (patent no. 6120804). This honor underscores Asahi Kasei’s commitment to continuous innovation in materials science and electrochemical processes.

Asahi Kasei has developed the TA Series of Sunfort™ dry film photoresist as a new product designed to meet growing demand in the field of advanced semiconductor packages used in applications such as artificial intelligence (AI) servers. This product is positioned as a strategic offering within Asahi Kasei's Material sector, aiming to strengthen its footprint in the rapidly growing market of next-generation chip packaging. The dry film delivers an ultra-high resolution with conventional stepper exposure systems and laser direct imaging (LDI) systems, which transfer circuit patterns onto substrates during packaging, contributing to enhanced performance and precision in back-end processes.

Leading semiconductor manufacturer Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) and Swedish digital audio pioneer Dirac have announced a partnership to integrate Dirac’s suite of software-defined smart acoustics solutions, AudioIQ, into AKM’s line of automotive audio digital signal processors (DSPs), including its flagship AK7709, to significantly reduce tuning time while enhancing sound quality within vehicle interiors.

Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America (AKBA) and PeptiSystems have announced a strategic, exclusive partnership aimed at delivering a streamlined process to the peptide manufacturing industry. This collaboration establishes AKBA as the exclusive OEM for peptide synthesis columns to PeptiSystems, which carries out R&D, manufacturing, and supply of instruments used to synthesize peptide and oligonucleotide therapeutics.

On March 25, Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei was awarded the prestigious Okochi Memorial Prize, which acknowledges significant contributions to the areas of production engineering, production technology R&D, and the implementation of high-level production methods in Japan. The Okochi Memorial Foundation recognized the contribution of Asahi Kasei’s MCC Ceolus™ UF grade to solving challenges with poor compactibility and flowability, two pressing formulation issues for pharmaceutical companies in the development and manufacturing of tablets.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has developed the AP4413, a new series of ultra-low current power management ICs (PMICs) ideal for battery charging systems used in energy harvesting1 applications. The AP4413 series enables efficient battery charging while consuming an extremely low current of 52 nA and features four variants with voltage threshold characteristics matching several common rechargeable battery types. The AP4413 comes in a tiny 3.0 × 3.0 × 0.37 mm HXQFN package and has been in mass production since February of 2025.

Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America, Inc. (AKBA), a leader in advanced filtration and fluid management solutions for the biopharmaceutical industry, has been recognized with the Best Technologies Innovation Award at INTERPHEX 2025. This recognition was for AKBA’s THESYS® Cleavage & Deprotection (C&D) and Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) unit, a groundbreaking system redefining oligonucleotide manufacturing efficiency.

Bionova Scientific, an Asahi Kasei company and boutique commercial-scale biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has announced the opening of a new facility in Fremont, California. The 55,000 sq. ft. process development and pilot plant will significantly expand the company’s ability to advance early-stage biologics assets to first-in-human trials and facilitate the future expansion of its manufacturing capacity.

Asahi Kasei and Kurashiki City held a grand opening ceremony on February 4, 2025, for a biogas purification system (the System) in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The System uses Asahi Kasei’s CO2 separation/recovery technology utilizing zeolites installed at a sewage treatment plant. The goal of this collaboration is to evaluate and demonstrate the performance of the System.

Fully autonomous cars will become mobile living rooms, allowing car manufacturers to reimagine the future of car interiors. In its fifth annual survey, the Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei asked car users in the four major automotive markets about their expectations and concerns regarding fully autonomous vehicles and their perception of sustainability. Customer preferences for interior design, features, and usage scenarios offer the automotive industry valuable hints about what the car of the future should look like.

Asahi Kasei received a 2024 TSMC Excellent Performance Award for its Pimel™, a photosensitive Polyimide material, in recognition of its “Excellent Technology Collaboration and Production Support in Advanced Packaging” at the 2024 Supply Chain Management Forum held by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. on December 2, 2024.

Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical (Sailboat) started commercial operation of a new carbonates plant in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, the People's Republic of China, in November 2024. The plant uses technology licensed from Asahi Kasei for the production of high-purity ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with carbon dioxide (CO2) as a main raw material. Both carbonates are used as electrolyte solvents in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has launched mass production and shipment of its next-generation InAs (indium arsenide) compound Hall element, the HQ0A11. Launched in November 2024, HQ0A11 features AKM's smallest and thinnest* package size for an InAs-based Hall element, measuring 0.8 x 0.4 x 0.23 mm. It achieves an 85% reduction in volume compared to the previous model of HQ0811 in the high-sensitivity HQ series. It is expected that HQ0A11 will contribute to improved performance in smartphone camera modules, small robots, and other applications.

Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corporation marked a significant step in its commitment to supporting the North American electric vehicle (EV) market by breaking ground on its new lithium-ion battery separator manufacturing facility in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. The plant is expected to begin commercial production in 2027, subject to obtaining permits and approvals from relevant authorities. It is planned to operate as a joint venture facility between Asahi Kasei and Honda.

The Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Aquafil S.p.A., an Italian manufacturer of polyamide 6 (PA6). The two companies agreed to develop a novel material for 3D printing (3DP) applications utilizing Aquafil’s ECONYL® Polymer chemically recycled PA6 and Asahi Kasei’s cellulose nanofiber (CNF), with the support of ITOCHU Corporation, which has made a capital investment in Aquafil. Pellets or filaments of this compound achieve superior formability and strength, which make them suitable for use in automotive and aeronautical applications.

The Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei is introducing a new material solution for enhanced EV battery safety. A flame-retardant and highly flexible nonwoven fabric, LASTAN™ is an outstanding alternative to conventional materials for thermal runaway protection. It can be utilized in top covers, busbar protection sleeves, and other applications within the EV battery pack.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM), a subsidiary of Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei, opened the “AKM Co-creation & Technology Center,” a new technology development base, in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan in June 2024. The center consolidates the primary functions of AKM’s product design, R&D for semiconductors and sensors, and partner relations.

Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei will exhibit its broad range of diversified material solutions at Fakuma 2024, the world's leading trade event for industrial plastics processing, from October 15-19 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Highlights include polymer solutions for thermal management applications in EVs, a novel thermoplastic elastomer for improved recyclability of automotive interior parts, and a cellulose nanofiber composite for high-performance 3D printing.

Asahi Kasei’s newest global car user survey gives insights into the brand loyalty and buying behavior of car users in the four major automotive markets: Germany, the United States, China, and Japan. It also provides background information on technological reasons for consumers’ hesitance to switch to electric cars.

Asahi Kasei has announced that in April 2024 it began selling a membrane system to produce WFI (water for injection), a type of sterile water that is used for the preparation of injections. The membrane system was developed as an alternative to the conventional distillation processes for the production of WFI by leveraging system design and development capabilities of Microza™ hollow-fiber membrane for water treatment and filtration of liquid products. By reducing the need to generate steam, this system enables lower CO2 emissions and lower costs in the production of WFI.

Crystal IS, an Asahi Kasei company, today announced the successful serial production of 100 mm diameter single-crystal aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates with 99% usable area, based on current requirements for UVC LEDs, with manufacturing to take place in the United States. The ultra-wide bandgap and high thermal conductivity of AlN help to improve device reliability and performance not only in UVC LEDs but also in next-generation RF and power devices.

Asahi Kasei announced today that it will construct its previously announced integrated lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator plant in Port Colborne, which is in the Niagara region of Ontario, Canada. The new manufacturing facility will operate as Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada and is expected to create highly skilled, good paying jobs in manufacturing and construction. The start of commercial production is currently slated for 2027.

The Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei is further accelerating its hydrogen business activities. On May 13, company representatives and partners including the Japanese government celebrated the official opening of a new hydrogen pilot plant in Kawasaki, Japan. Operation start of this commercial-scale facility was in March 2024. The trial operation of four 0.8 MW modules is another milestone towards the realization of a commercial multi-module 100 MW-class alkaline water electrolysis system for green hydrogen production.

Generating cutting-edge therapeutics requires precision, safety, and efficiency from manufacturing equipment. The next generation of oligo manufacturing, the process of producing short sequences of nucleotides (building blocks of DNA or RNA), innovation from Asahi Kasei Bioprocess (AKB), the THESYS™ ACS ERGO synthesis column, will be on display and demonstrated at Booth 213 at TIDES USA 2024 from May 14th to 17th at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. This new synthesis column offers drastically reduced changeover time between batches while maintaining user safety and product quality.

Asahi Kasei announced today that it will construct an integrated plant in Ontario, Canada for the base film manufacturing and coating of Hipore™ wet-process lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator1. In relation to this plant, Asahi Kasei has concluded a basic agreement with Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) and the two parties are currently studying joint investment. Also with regard to the Canadian plant, it has been agreed that Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corp.2, which is scheduled to be established in October 2024, will receive funding from the Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) through the issuance of preferred shares. Furthermore, receipt of financial support from the federal government of Canada and the provincial government of Ontario regarding this investment is expected.

The future of one-stop plastics innovation is coming to NPE 2024, the largest plastics industry trade show in the Americas, from May 6 through 10 in Orlando, Florida. Asahi Kasei Plastics North America (APNA) will highlight new technologies, such as its 3D printing filament line, at booth S14012. The Asaclean group – a purging compound product line of APNA – will be in the West Hall at booth W2181. APNA will showcase its streamlined process for customers to meet manufacturing needs without requiring multiple vendors.

Asahi Kasei Bioprocess’ (AKB) Massachusetts Training Center has announced an expansion of 2024 class offerings designed for individuals across various stages of their careers. Courses will cover a range of topics, including, but not limited to, bioprocess overview, pathogen safety, and virus removal filter operators' training.

Senseair, a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM), has announced the launch of the Senseair S88. The S88 is an accurate, compact, and maintenance-free CO2 sensing module that is ideal for indoor air quality monitoring and building automation control across a variety of environments.

To contribute to reducing the risk of potentially carcinogenic nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements, Asahi Kasei now offers Ceolus™ microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with nitrite levels of 0.1 μg/g (ppm) or less.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM), a subsidiary of the Asahi Kasei Group, has developed the AK5707, an ultra-low-power monaural 16-bit A/D converter (ADC) equipped with the integrated Acoustic Activity Analyzer (AAA), an analog acoustic event detector (AED). The AK5707 is an excellent fit for IoT security applications, such as wireless cameras and smart doorbells, due to its low power consumption, small package size, and advanced sound differentiation capabilities.

Senseair, a leader in Non-Dispersive Infrared Technology (NDIR) and a subsidiary of the Asahi Kasei Group, introduces their Sunrise CO2 sensor to the market. Based on an internal study, the technology is shown to potentially optimize energy efficiency and enhance indoor air quality, which could contribute to a healthier indoor environment. This product will debut at the upcoming AHR 2024 conference focused on HVACs in Chicago, Illinois, on January 22.

Asahi Kasei and an affiliated company have acquired the widely recognized international sustainability certification ISCC PLUS for several products in the fields of thermoplastic elastomers and rubbers, engineering plastics, and other materials.

Millimeter-wave radar transceiver technology from Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM), part of the Asahi Kasei Group, is making its debut at CES 2024.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) will return to CES® 2024, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 9th to 12th. AKM’s exhibit will focus on sensing and mixed-signal solutions for mobility and health tech, including an automotive audio demonstration and Millimeter-wave radar system.

Asahi Kasei has developed a novel membrane system for dehydrating organic solvents for pharmaceutical applications without the application of heat or pressure. This system can contribute to the optimization of manufacturing processes in the pharmaceutical industry. The company has now begun collaborating with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., of Osaka, Japan, for the practical verification of this system.

Japanese diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei has made an investment in Ionomr Innovations Inc., a Canadian startup that manufactures anion exchange membrane (AEM). Ionomr’s high-performance, durable, next-generation membrane has the potential to be transformative for the cost-efficient and scalable production of green hydrogen by electrolysis using renewable energy.

Asahi Kasei is launching a demonstration trial of a rental service for chlor-alkali electrolysis cells in Europe with Nobian GmbH and LOGISTEED Europe B.V. Headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Nobian is one of Europe's leading chlor-alkali1 companies. Headquartered in Gelderland, the Netherlands, LOGISTEED Europe is a leading logistics company with more than 10 sites in 6 countries in Europe.

Asahi Kasei, Gentari Hydrogen Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PETRONAS clean energy arm Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari), and JGC Holdings Corporation (JGC) today announced the completion of a detailed feasibility study for production of up to 8,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen using a 60 megawatt (MW) class alkaline water electrolyser system. The parties also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the said project. This project is supported by the Green Innovation Fund for Large-scale Alkaline Water Electrolysis System Development and Green Chemical Plant Project by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Asahi Kasei will invest in additional equipment for coating Hipore™ lithium-ion battery (LIB) separators. New coating lines will be installed at existing Asahi Kasei LIB separator facilities in the United States, Japan, and South Korea, with start-up scheduled in succession from the first half of fiscal year 2026.

Asahi Kasei has decided to invest in US-based startup NFW, a producer of non-petroleum-based leather alternative for car interiors. As part of Asahi Kasei's medium-term growth strategy and in close cooperation with Sage Automotive Interiors, Inc. (Sage), an Asahi Kasei company and a leading global provider of innovative and functional materials for the automotive interior, this strategic partnership enables another major step to support global automotive OEMs in reducing the environmental burden of automobiles.

Asahi Kasei has started sales for 3D printing (3DP) filaments in North America through Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. (APNA). The soft launch will begin with filaments from the modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) resin product line, XYRON™, then expand to the Thermylene™ polypropylene (PP) group.

Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei will showcase diversified material solutions for safe and compact EV batteries, improved connectivity and lightweighting, as well as circular economy at Fakuma, the world's leading trade event for industrial plastics processing, from October 17th to 21st, 2023 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Crystal IS, an Asahi Kasei company, today announced the successful production of a 4-inch (100 mm) diameter single-crystal aluminum nitride (AlN) substrate. This is the first reported aluminum nitride substrate at this size and demonstrates the scalability of Crystal IS processes for growing AlN bulk single-crystals to meet production demands for this semiconductor material.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has launched the AK7709VQ, a new multicore digital signal processor (DSP) conceived for next-generation in-vehicle sound design. This powerful DSP enables the real-time large-scale computational processing required to provide an immersive sound experience for passengers.

Asahi Kasei has begun licensing of technology for the design and manufacture of lithium-ion capacitors (LiCs) based on its proprietary lithium pre-doping technology1.

Asahi Kasei established a “Care for Earth” investment framework as a new initiative for carbon neutrality by investing $100 million worldwide in early-stage startups that aim to solve issues in environmental fields such as hydrogen, energy storage, carbon management, and bio-based chemicals over the 5-year period up to fiscal 2027.

Asahi Kasei’s production facility for Dinamica® artificial suede at its Nonwovens Plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, has acquired the first Renewable Energy Use Certification by Japan's Powered by RE Certification Committee, utilizing the Powered by RE system of Hitachi, which visualizes the usage of renewable energy. The certification, acquired on March 8, 2023, ensures that the production facility for Dinamica® is powered by 100% renewable energy.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, and subsidiary Crystal IS have demonstrated their next-generation Klaran single-chip UVC LED which emits at 160 mW in the ideal germicidal range of 260-270 nm. Setting a new record for single-chip device output in a commercial device, this achievement marks a significant 60% increase over prior Crystal IS devices while retaining the optimal wavelength for germicidal efficiency. This higher output device will be used to accelerate the adoption of UVC LEDs and hasten the widespread replacement of low-pressure mercury lamps. While the new device will retain the Klaran compact 3.5 mm x 3.5 mm package and solder pad design to allow backward compatibility with existing customer designs, the higher output will allow UVC LEDs to meet the performance and cost targets needed to expand into new applications in high-flow water and air treatment.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, and subsidiary Crystal IS have released lifetime characterization data after more than 10,000 hours of testing its Klaran LA UVC LED, which supports a projected L70 lifetime1 of 25,000 hours. This advancement retains true disinfection with a refined wavelength optimal for germicidal efficiency, with a lifetime exceeding low pressure mercury lamp technology, promoting the transition to non-mercury/non-ozone generating devices.