February 18, 2013
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
Hitachi Metals, Ltd.

Sumitomo Chemical and Hitachi Metals To ExploreBusiness Cooperation in Innovative Exhaust-Gas Cleaning
FiltersExpanding business into exhaust-gas post-processing, a market of accelerating
growthSumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (Sumitomo Chemical) and Hitachi Metals, Ltd. (Hitachi Metals)
today announced that they have reached a basic agreement to begin studying opportunities fortheir business cooperation on a particulate filter, a new type of exhaust-gas filter jointly
developed by the two companies.
1. Independent initiatives by each company on particulate filters
In 2009, Sumitomo Chemical, capitalizing on its technological expertise accumulated through its
business of inorganic materials including alumina products, successfully developed an aluminumtitanate particulate filter that shows excellent properties, such as thermal shock resistance (*1)
and soot mass limit (*2) from internal-combustion engines in automobiles and other machinery.
Having established a mother plant for the filter production at its Ehime Works, Japan in 2011
and with plans to begin large-scale production in Poland during the second half of 2013,Sumitomo Chemical is working to launch this line of business commercially.
Hitachi Metals developed a high-porosity large-scale integrated particulate filter made ofcordierite (*3) and commenced large-scale production in 2003, and has since been promoting astable supply of the product to the Japanese auto industry. Further, drawing on the strength of its
proprietary micropore-control technology, Hitachi Metals is undertaking development ofmaterials for higher performance and higher functionality.
2. Background to a joint study on the business cooperation
In many parts of the world, particularly Japan, the United States, and Europe, increasingly strict
regulations are being enforced on particulate matters (*4) in exhaust gases from internalcombustion engines, not only in automobiles but also in such areas as construction machineryand farm machine. Against this backdrop, the market for the particulate filters capable ofcleaning these exhaust gases is expected to further grow in the future, and there is an evergrowing need for higher performance and lower costs of the filters, accordingly.
While Sumitomo Chemical and Hitachi Metals had been independently engaged in the businessdevelopment of their own particulate-filters, the two companies began working together in thesummer of 2012 to develop new products that would meet such a surging global demand. As aresult, the two companies have succeeded in developing a highly innovative particulate filter by
combining the technologies of both companies. With practical opportunities of the filter’scommercial applications in sight, the two companies have agreed to begin studying jointly
possibilities of closer cooperation from a business perspective. The newly developed particulate
filter is expected to contribute to improving fuel efficiency, owing to its distinctive advantages

such as yielding higher efficiency of collecting particulate matters while at the same timebringing about reduced pressure loss.
3. Schedule
Going forward, the two companies will continue to work on further improving the performanceof the new particulate filter, while initiating a study about its large-scale production by jointly
installing a trial production line. According to the current plan, Sumitomo Chemical and Hitachi
Metals intend to reach a final agreement on the business cooperation towards the end of fiscal
2013.
Notes
1. Thermal shock resistance
The particulate filter’s ability to withstand sudden changes in temperature when it undergoes
regeneration through incineration of the trapped particulate matter.
2. Soot Mass limit
The amount that can be continuously filtered.
3. Cordierite particulate filter
The particulate filter made of cordierite ceramics. In August 2003, Hitachi Metals began massproducing a large-scale integrated cordierite particulate filter, which is 266.7 millimeters indiameter and 304.8 millimeters long.
4. Particulate matter
Particles of solids or liquids. Under the Air Pollution Control Act of Japan, these are designatedas motor-vehicle exhaust gases, and there are limits on the emissions permitted in the exhaustgases from diesel vehicles.
Media inquiries
Corporate Communications Office, Sumitomo Chemical
Tel: 03-5543-5102
Corporate Communications, Hitachi Metals
Tel: 03-5765-4079
Customer inquiries
Mr. Maeno, Ceramics Dept., Inorganic Materials Div., Sumitomo Chemical
Tel: 03-5543-5322
Mr. Okazaki, Ceramics Business Development Dept., Roll Div., Hitachi Metals
Tel: 093-436-2706
Company information
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
Incorporated: June 1, 1925
Capital: 89,699 million yen (as of March 31, 2012)
Business sectors: Basic Chemicals Sector, Petrochemicals & Plastics Sector, IT-related
Chemicals Sector, Health & Crop Sciences Sector, Pharmaceuticals Sector
Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
Founded: April 10, 1956
Capital: 26,284 million yen (as of March 31, 2012)
Main lines of business: manufacture and marketing of high-grade metal products and materials,
electronics and IT devices, high-grade functional components and equipment