ADEKA Products That Contribute to Society
Realizing lightweighting of vehicles with light and strong plastics
ADK STAB NA Series
Plastics are used in innumerable applications, encompassing automobiles, home electronics, electronic parts, construction materials, packaging and much more. Polymer additives play an essential role in boosting the performance and function of the plastics.ADEKA supplies a vast range of polymer additives with various functions. Among them, nucleating agents and clarifying agents make polypropylene (PP) crystals more homogeneous and fine. This technology can accelerate the crystallization process, which leads to the reduction of cycle time and improving the productivity.
In recent years, as automakers have pursued greater fuel efficiency, they have been seeking ways to reduce auto-body weight, such as replacing metal with plastic parts. PP containing ADK STAB NA-27 can reduce 7% of the part thickness by an addition of mere 0.1wt%. This is equivalent to about 6kg* of lightweighting. Thus it is contributing to the reduction of environmental impact by reducing vehicle weight.
* Estimated value when assuming that 90kg of polypropylene are used per vehicle.
Protecting Rice from Disease and Blight
Isoprothiolane (FUJI-ONE, fungicide, plant growth regulator)
FUJI-ONE was registered in 1975 as a pesticide for rice blast, one of the most serious diseases to paddy rice. At the time that this agent was under development, the Japanese government was promoting a policy of increasing food production, creating an important role for agrochemicals as pest-control materials. Meanwhile, against a background of advances in science and heightened awareness of food-safety issues, Japan’s Agricultural Chemicals Regulation Act was substantially revised, with the shift to policy of reducing acreage,“ more quality than quantity” was required. In response to this public demand, Nihon Nohyaku registered FUJI-ONE as“ a new kind of rice blast control agent that is safer, has lower environmental impact, requires little labor and is highly effective.” Moreover, FUJI-ONE has a unique chemical structure and action mechanism that give it a wide range of functions. In addition to its performance as a fungicide, FUJI-ONE promotes root growth in paddy rice seedlings and reduces white immature grains (a cloudy-white appearance caused by starch deficiency that reduces the grade of the rice). For these research achievements and technological developments, Nihon Nohyaku researchers were awarded the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon and the Okochi Memorial Technology Prize, while FUJI-ONE earned the loyalty of customers worldwide for about half a century. Nihon Nohyaku will continue to diversify into new fields, contributing to better-quality crops and stable food production.
