This resin cures from liquid state to solid state. The general method to cure the resin is to heating around 200°C.
Meanwhile, there is resin which cure by irradiating light (Ultra-violet light) in stead of heating, which is called photo curing resin. While this technology has the advantage of raising production efficiently, it also contributes significantly on the environment point as well.

Compared to thermal curing, photo curing resin has achieved a significant shortening curing time and improving in production efficiency. It also requires little in the way of space for installing the equipment for curing. Furthermore, since curing is achieved at low temperature, it can also apply to the material (base material) that are heat sensitive.
In addition to these benefits, compared to thermal curing the burden in terms of energy needed for curing is extremely low, and the CO2 generation has been reduced. It also contribute to creating a pleasant working environment on both environmental and hygienic point since organic solvents are not used.

What is more, ADEKA has not only developed photo curing technology, but also basic ingredients that are environmentally conscious product. Antimony, with its high sensitivity on curing and good stability, has conventionally been used as a component in our photo-initiator, which is one of the basic ingredients for photo curing. However, there have been fears and concerns over its toxicity and carcinogenic properties, ADEKA OPTOMER SP-300 is a photo-initiator that exhibits effects identical to conventional photo-initiators but not containing antimony.
ADEKA's Photo curing resin is used for the firm hard coatings, adhesion and forming the optical elements etc. which are mainly used in displays for liquid crystal and plasma televisions, among others. Aside from these, it is also ideally suited for the hard coating on ID cards and camera lens, as well as for adhesion of electronic parts. It can be expected that it will expand out into a broad array of field in the future.

When it comes to photo curing, there are few cases where ready-made products are capable of meeting the customers' needs, so the material must be customized to suit their needs. The question of what elements should be combined and in what manner is a day to day struggle, but with ADEKA's technology and rich array of product varieties, we are able to meet a multiplicity of different requests.
It is believed that the move from thermal curing to photo curing will further increase in the future. Amidst such trends, we will pursue not only photo curing technology, but also further environmentally conscious products related to basic ingredients. We are constantly considering how we can contribute to the environment, as well as society, and will continue to offer new proposals.

Stabilizers are necessary when processing or using poly vinyl chloride in order to reduce deterioration of the resin.
Currently, lead compounds are often used as stabilizers for rigid items like window profiles and electrical cables. However, ADEKA is promoting the development of stabilizers that do not use lead compounds.

Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) are used for a variety of purposes, in everything from rigid products like pipes and window profiles to flexible products such as electrical cables and wrapping film.
Stabilizers are what provide these PVC products with their mold stability and durability. The main ingredient within stabilizers is metallic salts, which are separately utilized according to the uses for PVC.
Lead compounds, which are classified as harmful heavy metals, have been used for many years in things like rigid items such as pipes and window profiles, as well as wire covering and more. However, there is a growing international trend toward avoiding lead compounds due to concerns that they affect the human body and pollute the environment.

ADEKA has been a world leader in developing environmentally conscious wire coating extrusion stabilizers to be substituted for lead compounds, and our environmentally conscious stabilizers are among the top share of automotive electrical cables. We are also contributing to electrical cable for consumer electronics and communications, as well as stabilizers for rigid items like window profiles.
For the future it is predicted that global demand for PVC will grow enormously, centered mainly on Asian countries like China and India. It is indispensable that environmentally conscious stabilizers also expand in conjunction with this. ADEKA will contribute to environmental consciousness in global markets by utilizing the technology and global networks that we possess.

Lead-based stabilizers, which have a long history as PVC stabilizers, possess an intrinsic functional capacity for stabilization that is exceptional. On the other hand, environmentally conscious stabilizers exhibit performance that is identical to that of lead-based stabilizers by utilizing composite technology from various raw materials.
Composite technology is the most important, and this is where ADEKA's technology comes into play. In addition, in order to meet the demands for high levels of durability, heat resistance, and so on, we are deepening research on searching for new raw materials in our desire to rise above.

Paints and adhesives, coating agents, protective films, and all sorts of adhesion for plastics... Epoxy resin and urethane resin are actively used in a variety of contexts. Organic solvents have traditionally been used because of their durability and economical nature, but their atmospheric pollution and damage to health are becoming apparent. ADEKA has been striving toward the development of "water borne resins" which take the environment and human body into consideration.

"Water borne resins are materials with plastic-like properties." Put simply, these are "Water borne resins." The advantage to these is that they are non-hazardous materials. And through our proprietary technology the functional capacity unique to resins (polymers) can be furnished simply by volatizing water. They have been garnering attention as a resin that is gentle on the earth (does not pollute the atmosphere) and the human body (countermeasures against sick house syndrome), while also preserving the performance of organic solvent-based resins and improving upon their anti-corrosion properties, pliability, and weather resistance.

On the technological side, uniformly dispersing resin in water is difficult. ADEKA has combined its diverse technical know-how cultivated over many years; sought to discover optimal conditions from the perspective of the combination method, temperature, and stirred state; and promotes research and development before the commercialization of products. We are currently beginning to develop into broad areas through our VOC* countermeasure goods and environmentally conscious products. At present, there is strong awareness when it comes to substitute items for organic solvent-based resins, with these remaining at around 10% of overall market share. Nevertheless, by placing considerations for the global environment and human body first and foremost, ADEKA aspires to hereafter continue raising production techniques for water borne resins, expand their sales channels, and mainstream them.
*VOC: Volatile Organic Compounds

The general flow for chemicals is from flask synthesis to a pilot study scale and then on-site (factory) scale. Recently we have had trouble establishing technology for dispersing in water while confirming the correlation between each scale, but were able to set up a stable production flow. Now, we would like to be able to expand our technical capabilities and productivity through our products.
We are constantly giving consideration to the "four safety activities" (safety with regard to quality, the environment, the labor, and equipment). Successfully carrying out such activities is the very essence of CSR.