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The fundamental
policy of the Nippon Soda group is to develop high value-added products based
on superior technologies. In order to realize this goal, the Group has prioritized
the development and promotion of business involving environmental technologies
(such as the eco-business), and electronic materials by leveraging its R&D
and technology for organic synthesis products in the Chemicals Business.
The overview of R&D by business segment for the fiscal year under review
is as follows:
R&D expenses amounted to ¥5,582 million (3.9% of consolidated net sales) and
R&D personnel totaled 375 (or 14.8% of all the employees) for the entire group.
Chemicals business
1.
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Chemicals |
(1)
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Organic synthetic products, etc.
In the research and development of pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates,
progress was primarily made with the carbapenem and penem base antibiotics/intermediates.
In functional polymers,
we are continuously conducting research on new resins for semiconductor photo
resists. We are also conducting research in self-assembled monolayer SAM,
a new electronic material. Furthermore, research and development of phosgene and
cyanide derivatives are on the works for highly-functional products/intermediates
covering a wide variety of fields.
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(2)
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Eco-business products
On the eco-business front, the development of new products for domestic use and
market building activities for the photocatalyst BISTRATOR are continuing.
Treatment system
by dechlorination for PCBs using sodium metal dispersants has enabled electric
power companies to start treating their PCB materials. This system has been extended
to the urban treatment business in various locations in nationwide, and is gaining
acceptance partially for commercial use.
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2.
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Agro products
While public awareness for sustainable agriculture and food
safety and security have grown more visible as a major social issue recently,
the Nippon Soda group is conducting research and development in horticulture and
agriculture that thrives on only small amounts of chemicals, and hence reducing
the environmental impact.
On the new drug
development front, research on acaricides has been progressing to the predevelopment
phase, as well as research on new herbicides is also progressing.
We expect that the
new fungicide NF-149 CYFLUFENAMID will be registered in more European
countries, following the registration in the U.K. and South Korea. Meanwhile,
in the U.S. the full-scale development for the product will be commenced in fiscal
2006.
We are promoting
R&D in new versions of our primary insecticide MOSPILAN, aiming
to expand the market. In the U.S., we promoted the development of insecticides
for non-agriculture use (termites, cockroaches, ants, etc.) in cooperation with
a local partner. We have registered five products and started selling them in
fiscal 2005.
We have completed
the development of NF-165 BEFTOPSIN, an admixture of BEFRAN
and our main fungicide TOPSIN-M, for citrus fruits and wheat, as well
as application for registration. We are planning to launch it in the market in
fiscal 2006.
We have also finished
developing the herbicide FULL THROTTLE for lawns (golf greens) and
completed applying for registration, planning to sell it by the end of fiscal
2006.
R&D expenses
in the Chemicals Business were ¥5,534 million. |
Other businesses
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In the non-ferrous metal and other businesses, we are engaged in research on
(1) the improvement of new alloys´ properties and (2) the betterment of recycling
processes for various hard-to-treat industrial waste.
R&D expenses for other businesses totaled 47 million yen.
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