PRESS RELEASE
1-6-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8246 Japan

July 3, 2023

The Zeon Joint Research Laboratory for Advanced Carbon-Neutral Catalysts Is
Established at Osaka University, Starting Joint Research on Advanced Catalyst
Technology as the Key to Achieving Carbon Neutrality
Zeon Corporation

Zeon Corporation (Zeon; head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tetsuya Toyoshima) and Osaka University(President: Shojiro Nishio) established the Zeon Joint Research Laboratory for Advanced Carbon-Neutral Catalysts (JointResearch Laboratory) within the Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, on July 1, 2023. The purposeof the Joint Research Laboratory is to research and develop advanced catalyst technology as the foundation for nextgeneration chemical processes and thereby promote “monozukuri” (manufacturing) for achieving carbon neutrality. This
is Zeon’s first joint research laboratory to be established at Osaka University.
To achieve carbon neutrality, the chemical industry must shift away from conventional production processes that
consume massive quantities of energy and resources and develop chemical processes with low energy andenvironmental impact. In this context, catalysts, which drive the conversion of substances, constitute a core technologythat underpins sustainable, next-generation chemical processes, and demand is consequently growing for thedevelopment of highly functional catalysts.
The new Joint Research Laboratory brings together Zeon, with its unique polymer development technology, and Osaka
University, with its state-of-the-art technology for developing catalysts, to co-create with society by developing advanced
catalyst technology for achieving carbon neutrality. For Zeon, another purpose of the Joint Research Laboratory is thesynergy effect of having it within Osaka University, and this could strengthen Zeon’s basic research capabilities,
accelerate joint research, and develop human resources.
Zeon is striving to realize carbon neutrality and a circular economy by transforming its “monozukuri” as one of its strategies
under the Medium-Term Business Plan, and it hopes to achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030.*1 The technology
and knowledge that comes out of the Joint Research Laboratory are expected to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality andsignificantly advance innovation in the unique technology that characterizes Zeon’s research and development.
Together with Osaka University, Zeon will pursue carbon neutrality and contribute to environmental sustainability along withsafe and comfortable living.
*1: 50% reduction of Zeon Corporation’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO2 emissions from the FY2019 level.

Outline of Joint Research Laboratory
1. NameZeon Joint Research Laboratory for Advanced Carbon-Neutral Catalysts
Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University (Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture,
2. Address
Japan)
3. Duration
From July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026
Takato Mitsudome (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka
University)
4. Research Team
Yoshihide Yachi (General Manager, Carbon Neutral Laboratory , Research and Development(Lead Researcher)
Center, Zeon Corporation)
Kentaro Ono (Manager, Research and Development Center, Zeon Corporation)
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PRESS RELEASE
1-6-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8246 Japan

Research Themes
We plan to develop next-generation nano-catalysts by conducting precise structural control, including control over the
shape of metal nano-particles, which are catalytically active species, at the nano and angstrom scales, compounding andalloying metals, and controlling the interface, toward developing polymer-modified catalyst technologies.
Roles of the Organizations
Osaka University:
Develop and evaluate new catalysts, while also conducting structural analysis with various spectroscopic techniques, toidentify true catalytically active species and shed light on the mechanism of their catalytic activity.
Zeon Corporation:
Facilitate catalyst scale-up, optimize reaction conditions, and evaluate durability to design and develop highperformance catalysts, which are not simply extensions of conventional catalysts, based on the theories of catalytic
chemistry, and create practical applications so they can be used by society.

*Building of the Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, the location of the Joint Research Laboratory

For more information, contact:
Department of Corporate Communication, Corporate Sustainability Division, Zeon Corporation
Phone: +81-3-3216-2747

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