The Denka Way

The
Denka
Way

Winter2024
Vol.18Contents
02 Business Value Creation
The Pinnacle of Adhesive Bonding
Denka’s Adhesive Technology for Joining Objects

10 Human Resource Value Creation

Winter2024 Vol.18

Denka’s Promotion of Diversity, Equity,and Inclusion
Aiming to be a Workplace Where Each
Individual Shines

Publisher: Corporate Communications Dept., Denka Co., Ltd.
Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi-muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8338
Editor-in-chief: Hiroyuki Yamamoto / Published: January 1, 2024

Denka’s
Adhesive
Bonding
Technology

15 A Specialist’s Perspective
16 My Vision
Denkaʼs Future as Envisagedby Each of Us
18 Denka TOPICS

Unauthorized
reproduction prohibited

Special Feature 1

1

Mission 2030 Business Value Creation

Chemical Reaction Type
Hardening through the power ofchemistry

The Pinnacleof

These adhesives harden through a reaction between
one or more chemical substances. While they possess
extremely high adhesive strength and heat resistance,
challenges arise due to the need to mix the hardening

Adhesive
Bonding

agents and factors such as the time, heat, and lightrequired to activate their adhesive properties.
Denka’s products
HARDLOC SGA
HARDLOC OP/UVHighly heat-resistant TBM
HARDLOC OP/UVHighly heat-resistant TBM

Denka’s Adhesive Technology
for Joining Objects

Materials used to join objects include
tackifiers and adhesives. Denka excels in bothcategories, offering outstanding products thatleverage its proprietary technologies. Thisfeature focuses on the specialty technologyof adhesive bonding, which is used in various
products ranging from semiconductors to
speakers and camera lenses. We will delve
into the distinctive features and appeal ofthese products.

Adhesive mechanisms
Adhesive agents and tapes function in avariety of ways. We will introduce the adhesive mechanisms used in Denka’s products.

32

Adhesives and tackifiers are both used to join objects.
Adhesives refer to substances that are liquid before
bonding and solidify afterward. On the other hand,tackifiers are constantly sticky, meaning that they can beboth stuck and peeled away.
Denka’s products include both high-performanceadhesive agents such as “HARDLOC” and various
adhesive tapes such as “ELEGRIP.”

The Denka Way | 2024 WinterActivated through pressureThis type of adhesive is activated by applying pressure atroom temperature, and its primary characteristic is the immediate expression of adhesive strength. On the other hand,since it does not undergo a change in state (hardening/sodecrease at high temperatures. Its ease of bonding without
the need for additional hardening or solidification processes
makes it widely utilized in various applications, including
industrial manufacturing processes and packaging.
Denka’s products
VINI-TAPE (for electrical insulation, wire harness
binding, etc.)
Caralyan Tape (for packaging)Utilizes two or more mechanisms
Adhesives that solidify by combining two
or more methods such as UV curing,heat curing, and pressure-sensitivity fall
into this category. They combine theimmediate efficacy of pressure-sensitive
types with the high adhesive strength ofchemical reaction types.

Denka’s products
ELEGRIP TAPE (Back grinding tape,dicing tape)
ELEGRIP TAPE

2

HARDLOC SGA

lidification), its adhesive strength is weaker, with a significant

Combined Reaction Type

What’s the difference?

Pressure-Sensitive TypeVINI-TAPE for harnesses

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter3

Denka’s Technical Prowess
in Adhesive Products
Easy to attach, easy to peel off.

Transmits light andResistant to heat.

UV

Quick
to harden

Under
development!

High-power
UV laser
Decomposeto peel off

Quick to harden
under light, easy topeel off

Highly heat-resistant TBM
A developmental product with great potential for
semiconductor material processing!

300°C
OK

handling them is extremely challenging. This is where TBM, a high heat-resistant temporary
fixature, comes into play. Not only is it easy to attach and remove from the glass substrate thatserves as the foundation during processing, but it also boasts high heat resistance, making itsuitable for the vacuum heat treatment essential for the production of power semiconductors.

Suitable for the manufacturing process of power semiconductors

TBM is suitable for

Vacuum bonding of glass

forming electrodes

A must-have item for lens, camera, and opticalproduct manufacturing
is an enethiol resin-based adhesive developed through Denka’s proprietary technologies. It
offers excellent optical performance and is used for laminating optical lenses and prisms in

Oxygentors. On the other hand, the UV series is a UV hardening type adhesive using acrylic resinthat finds application in bonding lenses to housings and serving as a display sealant.

Chemical treatment

Formation on backsideof electrodes

Stripping the glass

ELEGRIP TAPE

By exposing the material to UV light, aLiquidLeveraging the properties of HARDLOC OP/UV,
we have developed and are currently selling a
UV-curing adhesive (F-OLED encapsulant) forsmall organic EL displays. This adhesive effectively
seals out water vapor and oxygen from the organic EL layer and electrodes, preventing degradationof the emissive elements.

Photo-polymerization reaction

photo-polymerization reaction occurs

Solid

UV rayswhere small-molecule monomers
combine to form high-molecular-weight

Process

polymers. During this process, therequirements.

adhesive’s melting point increases,

Spin coating
Requiredproperties

4

Water vapor

camera modules. It stands as a unique, one-of-a-kind product with no apparent competi-

UV

New needs for thinfilm encapsulants

A single-component adhesive that hardens by exposure to ultraviolet light. The OP series

It meets multiple

Applications

Upon exposure to UV light, adhesion is possible injust a few seconds. This contributes to streamlining our customers’ manufacturing processes, suchas shortening production lines. The fact that it is asingle-component (no need for mixing with otherliquids) and solvent-free is also highly appreciated.

Adhesive mechanismon the backside ofpower semiconductors.

Due to its minimal shrinkage during hardening andhigh flexibility, the adhesive undergoes minimal
distortion, and its transparency and refractive index are comparable to glass. It also features highheat and cold resistance. Notably, since it only
hardens when exposed to UV light, it is convenient
for performing optical axis alignment duringlens installation. This product meets the precise
adhesive requirements of optical products.

Fast hardening with
UV light, excellent
work efficiency

HARDLOC OP/UV

To remove adhesives, heat or solvents
are typically applied, but TBM requires
neither. Simply exposing it to a UV
laser avoids imposing additional stresson the bonded materials, making it anenvironmentally friendly product.

silicon wafers. As a thickness of less than 1 mm is required for these wafers, processing andHightransmittanceNo residue
after peeling off

A sustainable
adhesive

During the semiconductor manufacturing process, there is a step that involves processing

A high-end adhesive that
doesn’t obstruct light

When exposed to UV light, it instantly
hardens and bonds substances together.
For removal, a high-power UV lasercauses it to decompose, making it easy
to peel off.

Balancing heat
resistance anddetachability
In adhesives, heat resistance anddetachability often involve a trade-off.
However, Denka’s TBM achieves abalance, featuring both the strength towithstand temperatures up to 300°C
and high detachability, making it lesslikely for adhesive residue to remain.

hardens with UV light

Coatability

Light curing

Thinning

Vacuum heat
treatment

Detachment with
UV laser

Temporary fixative
removalChemical resistanceHeat resistanceLaser detachability

Tape detachability

Wafer processing for power semiconductors, etc.

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter

Coating

Coating

Monomers, oligomers, light curing materials

Coating
Oligomers, light curing materials

Polymers

causing it to transition from a liquid to asolid state during the curing process.

Applications

Substrate

Substrate

Substrate

Camera lenses, projector lenses, displays, large TVs, laptop computers,
electronic components, etc.
The Denka Way | 2024 Winter5

Denka’s Technical Prowess
in Adhesive Products

Shibukawa Plant, the producer of Denka’s
electronics-related products
Denka began manufacturing HARDLOC at the Shibukawa Plant in 1976. Currently,
it serves as a core hub for electronic materials, producing electronics-related
products such as electronic circuit boards, heat dissipation components, emitters,
structural adhesives, and semiconductor process-related items.

A flagship product with 60 yearsof history

Used here and there in the semiconductor

A

B

Component A to initiate
adhesion and component
B to harden it

manufacturing process

The two components of HARDLOC SGA bothconsist primarily of acrylic monomers andelastomers. Component A is a polymerization
initiator, while component B is a hardening
accelerator. Their similar compositions facilitate
easy mixing and quick hardening.

Works with imprecise
mixing, fits various on-site
applications

Utilized in a wide variety of industrial applications

Three adhesion
pointsIn 1964, Denka pioneered the development of the world’s first two-component
room-temperature-curing second-generation acrylic adhesives. These adhesives
exhibit excellent compatibility with metal, achieving high strength, toughness, anddurability through the incorporation of elastomers. Since their introduction, they havebeen widely embraced by numerous customers as an alternative to traditional joining
Field portion

methods such as screws, bolts, and welding.

Adhesive mechanism

SGA exhibits a sea-island structure(morphology control), where acrylicand elastomer are interspersed. This

Applications

6

impact resistance, and adhesive
tenacity.

While HARDLOC SGA is used for various applications, it has established an absolute sharein adhesive applications for the field portionand three adhesion points of speakers. It is not
an exaggeration to say that without HARDLOC
SGA, many speakers worldwide would beunable to produce sound.

HARDLOC’s
overwhelmingly popularcommercial

Once cured, the surface of HARDLOC

structure contributes to high strength,

Without this product,
would sound disappear
from the world?

Two heavy-duty trucks glued
together and lifted off the ground!

The HARDLOC commercial that was originally
aired in the 70s and won the Grand Prix at
the Cannes Film Festival for Best Television
Commercial is now available on YouTube.
Please take a look at the amazing adhesivestrength of HARDLOC!

Dicing tape

About 90% is dicing
tape for cutting
processes

ELEGRIP TAPE

Back grinding tape
Dicing tape

For two applications: protecting circuits andtemporary fixing

Over 90% of the ELEGRIP TAPE manufactured by Denka is dicing tape. Of this,
70% is UV curable, and we are working
with customers to develop products withless adhesive residue.

Approx.70%
of dicing tape is UV curable

Cutting (Dicing)Firmly fixedin place

An adhesive tape used in the grinding and cutting processes of semiconductors. There

Ring frame
Tape
Wafer

are two products: back grinding tape and dicing tape. The former is used to protect thecircuit’s surface when polishing the reverse side of a semiconductor wafer, while the90%

Removing (Pick up)

latter is used to temporarily affix the wafer to the tape while separating it into pieces.

Easy toremoveChip

Suitable forthe cutting process
and easy to remove
Dicing tape is used to firmly secure thewafer during the process of separating
it into pieces. It is also easy to remove
when picking up the resulting chips.

Adhesive mechanism

UV-curable dicing tape incorporates cross-link-

UV-reactive materials harden, inhibiting the action of cross-linking agentsing agents and materials for UV curing. The
UV-reactive materials undergo a reaction
triggered by UV exposure, leading to a complex

UV exposurebond between components. This hardens theadhesive layer, causing a loss of adhesive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzxUeTwxdrQ

Speakers (automotive, etc.), motors, elevator reinforcement plates, golf clubs (heads and shafts), etc.

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter

ELEGRIP TAPE features a three-layer
structure consisting of a base film, a
coating of acrylic polymer adhesive, andma release liner to protect the adhesive.
It is manufactured in jumbo rolls with awidth of 1 meter and a length of 1,000
meters. The tape is then cut and shipped
according to customer requirements.

1,000

B

The ease of use at customer sites is a significant
appeal of HARDLOC SGA. It quickly hardens atroom temperature within a short period (1-15
minutes), exhibiting stable adhesive strength
even without precise measuring and blending.
Additionally, it doesn’t require solvent degreasing,simplifying the surface treatment procedures.

HARDLOC SGA

Higher-order structure of cured HARDLOC (TEM
photograph). White areas are acrylics and black
areas are elastomers.

A

Rapid manufacturingof 1,000 meter rolls!

r thanLonge kytree!
S
o
y
k
To

strength and making it easier to peel off.

Applications

Base
polymers

Cross-linking
agentsUV-reactive
materials

Semiconductors, smartphones, automotive sensors, etc.

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter7

Communicating the Business
Value of Our Adhesive
Products to Customers
Research andDevelopment

Making the world a better place withadhesive technology

We spoke with employees engaged
in R&D, manufacturing, and sales
about the appeal of Denka’s adhesive
products and the satisfaction ofworking with these products.

Sales

Masahide Yamada
Deputy Manager
Electronics & Innovative Products

Takako Hoshino
HARDLOC Research Group Leader
Electronic Materials Research Dept.
Electronics & Innovative Products

At the Shibukawa Plant, I oversee the research and development of the high heat-resistant temporary fixative TBM and the acrylic adhesive HARDLOC. In the realm of
R&D, things often don’t go according to plan. Sometimes you cannot achieve therequired characteristics, and research stalls. During such times, I make a conscious

Adding extra value toadhesive bonding with
Denka’s technical prowess

effort to maintain a positive outlook and continuously work toward improvements.
We regularly communicate with our customers, listen to their concerns and areas for
improvement, and frequently share information with each department from the development stage. In this way, everyone at Denka works together to meet their needs
and bring new products to market. My ultimate goal is to make the world a better
place with the adhesive technology that I’m in charge of. While Denka’s adhesives

Our greatest strength lies in our ability to provide adhesive agents withmay not be readily available on store shelves, I aspire to make them an integral parthigh functionality tailored to customer demands.

of the processing of all end products distributed globally. Starting with the prompt

An adhesive agent is selected based on the materials to be bonded

commercialization of TBM, we aim to contribute to the growth of semiconductors,

and the bonding conditions. As such, there is a wide variety of adhesive

responding to the current surge in demand.

Manufacturing

Providing new value by
combining functions
Mana Mizuno

Providing Denka’s reassuring quality

High Performance Adhesive Materials Dept.
Electronics & Innovative Products

agents available in the market, each suitable for different applications,leading to intense competition with many rival companies. To successfully navigate this fierce competition, we increasingly believe that asense of urgency is necessary in product development. We encourage
all employees involved in adhesive technology to listen even more
attentively to the voices of our customers, visit their sites, and always be

Kazunori Shikano
Section Chief, ELEGRIP Section
Electronic Materials Dept.
Shibukawa Plant

I am responsible for manufacturing ELEGRIP along with approximately 40 other
employees. While handling large ELEGRIP rolls weighing over 300 kg, we strive forstable production with safety as our top priority. Automation of processes such as
packaging is an important theme for improvement in order to increase labor productivity. With semiconductor processing becoming more advanced and precise,our customers are holding ELEGRIP to even higher standards. Collaborating with
our research and sales divisions, we aim to introduce innovative manufacturingmethods and production equipment tailored to meet individual customer needs.
We believe this approach will contribute to the evolution of electronic components,
including those found in everyday devices like smartphones. Moving forward, we
will continue to take pride in our commitment to manufacturing products withquality that aligns with Denka’s standards.

8

The Denka Way | 2024 WinterI am responsible for sales of HARDLOC SGA. Our customers
include automobile and golf club manufacturers, and recently, we
have received an increasing number of inquiries about motors
for EV vehicles.
Our HARDLOC SGA lineup has been expanded to incorporate new features in response to customer requests, suchas enhanced heat resistance for improved material properties
and colored components. More recently, we have begun taking
on the challenge of providing value by combining functions, as
exemplified by O-LED encapsulants.
As HARDLOC is a product that has been supported bymany customers for many years, we will strive to expand not
only to customers in existing areas but also to new areas suchconscious of thinking independently and taking immediate action.
How can we develop an adhesive that anticipates customer needs?
We believe that in addition to the primary function as an adhesive (i.e.,bonding strength), imparting an additional new function can contributeto our competitive advantage.
One of the functions that will undoubtedly be required in the futureis sustainability. What constitutes a sustainable adhesive? While there
may be various answers, we will collaborate to develop an adhesive that
embodies Denka’s perspective on sustainability and make it a reality.
We will continue to provide adhesive agents tailored to customer
demands in a timely manner, contributing through our customers to
the realization of a better society for a greater number of people in the
future.

as EVs, new displays, and semiconductors with our fundamental
technology.

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter9

Special Feature 2

Mission 2030

Human Resource Value Creation

Denka’s Promotion ofDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion

To become a company where each employee canexperience personal growth, Denka has included
the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion

You have a small child athome, so I know going on
business trips is hard. I went
ahead and asked someone
else to go.

In this special feature, we will delve into Denka’s

50%

Rate of men taking parental leave

85%

Ratio of experienced hires

50%

endeavors to create workplaces where people withdiverse ways of thinking can play active roles.

You’re young, so you know
how to use the internet,
right?

But I wanted to go...

Ratio of women, foreign nationals, andmid-career hires in managerial positions(DE&I) in its management plan “Mission 2030.”

Aiming to be a Workplace Where Each Individual Shines

The different
types ofunconscious
bias* in theworkplace

DE&I KPIs (targets for 2030)

Being young doesn’t automatically make someone
good with computers...

I just had a child, so I’d liketo take parental leave forthree months.

This kind of work isdifficult for women,
so we’ll handle it.
Since when domen take parental
leave?

It’s not that difficult...

*Unconscious assumptions we makewhen we see, hear, or feel something
I have a small child
too, you know?

When creating a workplace open to
diversity, it is essential to be awareof unconscious bias. Everyone holds
unconscious biases. Let’s begin
by understanding what biases andassumptions we make in everyday
situations.

Taking DE&I into one’s own hands is key
Moving forward as one Denka
What is equity?

Ayako KatoManager
Diversity Promoting Section,
HR Department

Promoting diversity as a company is not only a social

Promoting Section and has since begun full-scale

what could be done in each area to promote diversity,

management to address it. It is no exaggeration to say

imperative but also a crucial requirement for being

efforts to promote diversity. Through seminars andto review and establish various internal systems andthat the promotion of DE&I will change the company’s

chosen by stakeholders. At Denka, we are not driven

workshops held to raise awareness in the latter half ofstructures, and to collaborate with the general affairs

culture, but this isn’t something that we can accom-

by a backward sense of obligation. Rather, we are2017, employees had the opportunity to share theirdepartments at each location to implement the newplish in a day. To make these changes, it is essentialcommitted to incorporating diversity into our manage-

everyday concerns and challenges through groupsystems throughout the company.

for each employee to take DE&I into their own hands

ment strategies in order to create innovation, secure a

discussions. Thanks to these valuable opportunities,

diverse workforce, and foster workplaces where those

we were able to consider what activities would be truly

the KPIs in Mission 2030 is communicating thejourney toward achieving new heights together withindividuals can actively contribute.

meaningful for the company. Furthermore, the HR

importance of the newly added “E” (equity) in DE&I

everyone at Denka.

Department came together as one team to consider

to all employees and strengthening collaboration with

In 2017, Denka established the Diversity
10

The Denka Way | 2024 WinterGoing forward, I believe the key to achieving“Equity” is often confused with “equality,” butas illustrated in the picture below, equality is
not sufficient in terms of diversity. Support isneeded to make things fair.

and take action without giving up. I hope to make thisSource: Interaction Institute for Social Change Artist: Angus Maguire

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter11

Shining at Denka withMy Own Work StyleAt Denka, employees with diverse personalities play an activerole in various workplaces. For this section, we interviewed
some of these employees about their personal work styles.

Yushi Kumagai

Hong Longnan

Organic Materials Research Dept. (CR)Elastomers & Infrastructure Solutions
Omi Plant

Senior Accountant
Performance Plastics Dept.
Denka Chemicals Shanghai Co., Ltd. (DCS)

Yuka Goto

Kumika Tsuruda

Group Leader
Advanced Polymer Research Dept.
Denka Innovation Center
New Business Development Dept.

ManagerBusiness Promoting Dept.
Electronics & Innovative Products

As an employee who took childcare leave

As a foreign national manager

As a manager who was a mid-career hire

As a manager who was a mid-career hire

Aiming to balance work and childcarewith a greater awareness for enhancing
operational efficiency

Contributing to development of better
products and applications by delivering
local information

Continuing to seek new value by
creating and connecting technologies

New value creation awaits as each oneof us demonstrates our full potential
under a common vision

I took a month of childcare leave to take care of our first child when mySince DCS was established in 2004, I have carried out sales of plastic

I previously worked at a precision equipment manufacturer. At that compa-

As a member of the Business Promoting Department, I am currently

wife went to her hometown to give birth to our second. There were no maleproducts produced at the Chiba Plant and Denka Singapore Pte. Ltd.

ny, I was able to take on a wide range of duties from basic research to cor-

involved in project management and marketing for new product devel-

employees around me who had taken childcare leave, so I was nervous,(DSPL) and technical follow-up services for all of China. I mainly collectporate planning. However, I was worried that I was moving away from what

opment as well as support for business strategy planning for the sales

but everyone at my workplace was receptive to the idea. Even now, after

information on local markets and competing products and share it with theI really wanted to do—technological development. At that time, I founddepartment. Before joining Denka, I was mainly responsible for sales andhaving returned to work, I am balancing childcare and work while utilizing

headquarters and manufacturing bases. I am also involved in new productout that Denka was looking for a researcher. I was determined to join themarketing at Japanese and foreign chemical manufacturers. At thosesystems such as staggered working hours and working from home with theand application development as I listen to local customers’ potential needs.

company due to its over 100 years of history as a chemical manufacturer

companies, I handled products from a wide range of fields, and I feel assupport of my colleagues. Taking childcare leave has made me particularly

When corresponding with Japanese workplaces, I do have some difficulties

and amazing technologies, products, and engineers. My impression uponthough the information I collected on various industries is benefiting myaware of increasing operational efficiency. In order to pick up and drop off

with aspects of work culture that are specifically Japanese, such as hierar-

joining Denka was that it is constantly taking on new challenges without

current work. Creating new value is difficult alone; it can only be done withmy children and actively participate in childcare, I am always thinking aboutchical relationships and work procedures, but I have overcome them one

being bound to the past. I want to utilize the experiences I have gainedinternal and external stakeholders working together and moving in the

how I can perform my duties within working hours.

by one by consulting with my supervisor. Amid changes to the global supply

throughout my career in this free atmosphere that nurtures the curiosity ofsame direction. To that end, I will continue learning to maximize my own

chain, I would like to further contribute to Denka’s progress by carrying out

researchers. I also want to create new value not just by developing new

performance and remain aware of engaging in two-way communication

marketing activities with an even more global perspective in the future.

technologies but also by connecting technologies, knowledge, and ideas.

with those around me.

When we were raising our first child, I left everything to my wife, so this time I experienced

I contribute to the development of new products and applications by collecting market infor-

There are currently 16 researchers in my group, and they all have diverse prospects for the

Denka has an environment in which managers and colleagues are understanding andhow difficult childcare can be. I think that engaging in post-natal childcare together duringmation for each application as well as information on competing products, including crude

future. I believe that it is my responsibility to simultaneously achieve Denka’s mission while

supportive of you acting on your own initiative. I want to contribute to solving social issues

my leave was beneficial for our current home environment and for building a relationshipraw materials, and periodically reporting such information to the headquarters and DSPL.

also understanding each of their career plans and training them appropriately.

by being involved in the development of products that can provide new value here.

of trust with my family.

Recently, I have noticed a trend in demand for environmentally friendly, sustainable plastics,
and have been carrying out activities to promote the adoption of Denka’s products.

12

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter

13

A Specialist’s

Development of highly heat-resistant TBM

Perspective
What kind of future do on-site specialists anticipate based on Mission 2030?

Rumiko Nakata
Corporate Adviser
Joined Esso Sekiyu K.K. as a new graduate. Since then,she has been consistently engaged in human resources
development. She currently holds the position of outside
director at Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. Since 2022, she has
been serving as an advisor to Denka, providing support
in human resources from an external perspective.

The power of diversity is necessary to“make the world a better place as specialists in chemistry”
The important thing is to create a workplace
where all employees can work energetically

The key to promoting DE&I lies indaily communication

These days, almost all companies are promoting diversity.

The scope of diversity includes not only visible differences such

Among them, manufacturers face the largest challenge in terms

as gender, age, and nationality, but also differences such as theof on-site operations. Factory work involves heavy physical la-

career journey a person has taken, and the experiences they

bor and night shifts, which put female and elderly employees athave had. At Denka, we have many employees with diverse

a disadvantage. In addition, chemical manufacturers like Denka

ways of thinking. For example, when employees are passed

also have hot working environments, so it is no exaggeration

over for business trips because they have small children, someto say that securing human resources is more challenging. Inof them thank their supervisors while others feel dissatisfied at

this context, I think it is wonderful that Denka is committed to

the loss of the opportunity. For this reason, it is important to

DE&I, and to equity in particular. This is because, at factories

listen to your subordinates and colleagues’ hopes and thoughts,

and other sites that require heavy physical work, employees

have daily discussions about your ideal work style with people

need to understand the importance of equity and strive toaround you, and understand each other. Everyone has theircreate an environment where diverse employees can display

own circumstances, so don’t bottle up your worries; share them

their strengths.

with the people around you.

Highly heat-resistant TBM

If we all thought the same way and nobody disagreed,

director in charge of human resources had similar issues tothings might go more smoothly. On the other hand, promoting

Denka’s, so they reviewed their on-site environment to create

diversity takes time and energy. However, companies cana workplace more comfortable for women. Through the

only innovate and handle unexpected situations because they

TBM, a highly heat-resistant temporary fixative, isdepartment, superiors, and individuals from related

process of identifying the potential risks for female employees

have people with diverse backgrounds and ways of thinking.

drawing attention as a next-generation adhesive for the

departments. “I always try to take action by myself,

and necessary measures for creating a safe workplace, as

It is impossible to predict what the world will be like in 10- or

semiconductor manufacturing process. Takako Hoshino,

but product development isn’t something you canwell as promoting the mechanization of facilities, they solved

20-years’ time. The promotion of diversity is essential for Den-

who is responsible for the development and massaccomplish on your own,” she explains. “In Denka, there

these issues one by one. It was not an easy journey, but as aka to thrive in an uncertain future and make the world a better

production of TBM, regularly engages in discussions

are many people willing to help, so it’s a waste of time

Takako Hoshinoplace as specialists in chemistry.

with potential customers in order to create a productto struggle along by myself.”

result, they were able to establish a system that facilitated theemployment of women. It is also worth mentioning that this sortof initiative doesn’t only benefit female and elderly employees;
it makes the workplace more comfortable for everyone.

14

Striving to Advance the Development of an Adhesive
That Is Useful Worldwide

A chemical manufacturer where I previously served as

The Denka Way | 2024 WinterAn adhesive that can be attached or
removed using UV light. With its highthermal resistance, it is expected toplay a key role in the manufacturing ofsemiconductor materials.

Specialist

developing new adhesives, she shares that she wouldGroup Leader, Electronic Materials
Research Department
Electronics & Innovative Products

Hoshino ensures that she shares her information andlike to “create a better world using adhesion technol-

Since joining the company in 2008, she has been involved

ideas with those around her. When progress stalls, sheogy.” Fueled by the encouragement of her colleagues,in the research and development of adhesives. In 2022,

seeks advice from the many people she has encoun-she embraces the challenge of delivering adhesives that

tered in her journey, including members of the same

contribute to industrial growth.

that will meet their needs.
With the aim of developing a higher quality product,

As she works toward commercializing TBM andshe was assigned to her current department, where she isworking on the development of TBM and HARDLOC.

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter15

Vol. 04
New Visions

All Denka
Employees

My Vision“

Denka’s Future as Envisaged by Each of Us

We will ask employees from various positions, generations, and workplaces about
the future they envision for Denka, changing the theme in each issue.

P a r t3 :What kind of specialist do you aspire to be?

My greatest
strength is myindividuality

A person withan inquiringmind”

A flexible
workerAn unwavering
spirit that neverceases to growHana Igarashi

Haru Ichimi

Hikaku Chigira

Mika Shigano

Electrical Instrumentation Section, Omi Engineering Department,
Omi Plant

IP & SCR Section, M30 Project Promotion Department,
Chiba Plant

Heat Dissipation Materials Group, Heat Dissipation Materials Section,
Electronic Materials Department, Shibukawa Plant

Film & Tape Group, Film & Tape Section, Manufacturing Department No.1,
Ofuna Plant

Sincere andempathetic
World-leading
technical
capabilities

Continuous innovation

An innovatorin the medical
treatment field

Arata Takano

Eri Mizunuma

Shiho Takayama

Hideaki Makino

Unprocessed Rolled Products Group, Covering Tape Section,
Manufacturing Department, Isesaki Plant

G47Δ Unit,
Gosen Site

Elastomer & Inorganic Products Section,
Osaka BranchElectronic Materials Section,
Nagoya Branch

Helping to manage
Human Resources,
Accounting, General
Affairs, Logistics and IT
related mattersproperly.

Angie Mei
Corporate Division
Denka Corporation

16

The Denka Way | 2024 WinterA trend catcher

A person committed
to continuous learningand development

Sung Yun Jung

Kee Huat Leang

Denka Korea Co., Ltd.

Denka Advantech Private Limited“

Aspiring to be a“specialist” whomakes the world abetter place”

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter17

Introducing Denka Group news topics from September to December 2023

TOPICS

Pick Up
Sep.

Sep.

9- 12
Sep.

VLPT Japan, Biken Foundation, Denka sign
agreement to develop self-amplifying“replicon” RNA influenza vaccine

Denka enters into agreement with SCG Chemicals toestablish a joint venture for acetylene black manufacturing and sales business and build a plant in Thailand

VLPT Japan, Biken Foundation, andDenka has entered into an agree-

Denka jointly announced the conclusion

ment with SCG Chemicals Publicof a collaborative research agreement

Company Limited (SCGC) to estab-to develop a seasonal influenza vaccine

lish a joint venture for the production

using self-amplifying “replicon” RNAand sale of acetylene black and to

Manager, Carbon
Neutrality Promotion Dept.
Sustainability
Promotion Div.

technology. The number of influenza

build a plant in Thailand. Acetylene

patients in Japan in a typical year is estimated at about 10 million, with the annual

black has high purity and excellent

number of deaths due to influenza estimated at about 10,000. Challenges in vaccine

conductivity, and demand is increasing for use in lithium-ion batteries for xEVs. Den-

We struggled to select information
related to our environmental initiatives while considering the overallbalance.

production include a shortage of embryonated chicken eggs and issues related toka currently produces acetylene black at a total of three sites in Japan and overseas

manufacturing timelines. Through this joint research, the companies aim to enhance

and aims to stabilize supply by building a plant in Thailand with an annual production

VLPT Japan’s replicon technology and develop a new influenza vaccine.

capacity of 11,000 tons.

Communicating the Denka Group’s “present” and “ideal future”

Denka Report 2023 PublishedDec.

We asked the members involved in the production of Denka Report 2023 about the key aspects.
MutsumiKobayashi
Corporate Planning
Dept.
In order to clearly communicate
the Denka Group’s value creation
initiatives, we developed thisreport in collaboration with therelevant departments.

Yoshiyuki
FujimakiManager, Business
Development Dept.
Polymer Solutions Dept.
We focused on communicating
the “future” and “potential” ofDenka’s social contribution
through its businesses in a waythat would be easy for stakeholders to understand.

Ken Suzuki
General Manager,
Finance Dept.
We did our best to convey ourefforts to increase business value
by improving capital profitability,
including specific details.

Yosuke Goto

Oct.

There are many highlights in the Denka Report 2023!
P10-

he Denka Report (Integrated Report)
T serves as a medium to communicate
the Denka Group’s corporate value creation to
our stakeholders. It is published annually withthe main objectives of “deepening stakeholders’ understanding and trust in our businessactivities” and “stimulating investment from a
medium to long-term perspective for fundraising.”
Each year, the Denka Report is expanded
and enhanced, with the necessity of information determined based on stakeholder requests and international disclosure standards.
Highlights of this issue include “Talk with the
President,” “Our Vision: Messages from Young
Employees” and “ESG management.” These
exclusive insights can only be found within
the pages of the Denka Report.
Through the report, we share the story ofDenka’s value creation, explaining the Group’s
aims and how it intends to “Make the world abetter place as specialists in chemistry.”
Please take a look.

18

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter

The Denka Report
webpage

Talk with the President

In April 2023, Denka transformed “The Denka Value” (Corporate Philosophy), the Denka mission, and Denka’s Codeof Conduct into a new “Vision” (Core Value, Purpose, andMission) to take Denka into the future. How can we use
this vision to achieve sustainable growth? Shu Yamaguchi,
an independent researcher, author, and the public speaker,
was invited to speak with Toshio Imai, President and CEO
of Denka, about the perspectives needed by corporations
and Denka for the future.

P16

ESG management

In this section, we report on hot
topics related to ESG initiatives that
support corporate growth as part ofour Mission 2030 growth strategy.
It offers information from a varietyof perspectives, including messages
from Chairman Yamamoto andofficers in charge of ESG; roundtablediscussions with outside directors;
and employee opinions.

Nov.

Denka holds free tasting
event for tumugu saké

Denka presents New Japan Philharmonic
Special Concert in Ichihara City

In cooperation with Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.,On November 19, “Denka

Denka held a free tasting event for “tumugu,” apresents New Japan Philharmonic

saké produced by Denka to support reconstruc-

Symphony Orchestra Specialtion efforts, at the Watasu Nihonbashi restaurant

Concert in Ichihara City” was heldin Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower. Denka is actively

at the Ichihara Civic Hall in Chiba

involved in supporting the recovery of disas-

Prefecture to commemorate theter-stricken areas, contributing through both

60th anniversary of the founding ofbusiness-led reconstruction aid and volunteer

Ichihara City. This event was aimed at promoting education, science, and culture

activities. As part of these efforts, tumugu saké has been produced in partnershipand contributing to the local community. It was organized with the support ofwith the Kawamura Sake Brewery in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. This saké uses

Ichihara City, where the Chiba Plant is located, as an opportunity for the people to

Hitomebore saké rice grown in Minami Sanriku using Azumin and Toretaro fertilizers,

freely enjoy authentic classical music. The concert was a great success, with 203

which are produced by Denka.

people attending on the day.

Our Vision: Messages from
Young Employees

What is your vision for yourself? What are your goals forachieving it? Ten young employees share their thoughts onwhat they see as their vision.

P51-

Oct.

Nov.

Nov.

The Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF)
Denka holds athletics events for primary school children
in Gunma Prefecture

Denka Selected as a “Most Liked!”
IR Award Winner in the 2023 IR Award“Denka presents The Road to Becoming

IR Award winner in the 2023 IR Awards

a Track & Field Specialist! A Children’ssponsored by the Japan Investor Relations

Running Class by Legends” was held

Association. The “Most Liked!” IR Award wason November 23. With the goal of pro-established to share proactive IR activities andmoting health and welfare and fosteringachieve best practices. In 2023, 21 winners

sports, it was organized to provide an

were selected from among 199 companies that entered the competition under theopportunity for the residents of Gunma Prefecture, where the Shibukawa and Isesaki

theme of “IR Department’s initiatives for staff development and their power-up.” The

Plants are located, to experience track and field, learn about the body, and engage inaward was given based on the voters’ positive reviews, which included comments

physical activity. Guests included Ms. Chisato Fukushima, a women’s 100-meter andsuch as “Denka has established a mechanism to reflect investors’ thoughts and

200-meter record holder in Japan, and Daiki Yanagida, who competed at the 2023

opinions in its management plan” and “The way they create opportunities for discus-

World Athletics Championships in Budapest. Fifty-one children participated in the event.

sion that reflect the market’s voice during the management planning stage is ideal.”

Denka has been selected as a “Most Liked!”

The Denka Way | 2024 Winter19