Asahi Kasei launches a program to think together about future possibilities! Call for ideas to explore raw materials for environmentally friendly plastics!

Asahi Kasei x AUBA "Asahi Kasei Value Co-Creation Table 2023

This is the second year that Asahi Kasei and eiicon have conducted this program, following the "Asahi Kasei Value Co-Creation Table" in FY2022. Asahi Kasei's R&D and business divisions, as well as the planning division, will participate in this program in collaboration to explore the co-creation potential of each theme. In addition, eicon will provide strong support for the overall operation of the program this year, from planning to design, operation, and PR strategy.

In addition to the R&D and business divisions, the planning division will collaborate to explore the co-creation potential of each of the themes.

concept

Since its establishment in 1922, the Asahi Kasei Group has actively transformed its business portfolio over its nearly 100-year history while connecting with various partners to provide products that did not exist in the world until yesterday in response to social and environmental changes and needs.

And now, aiming to provide the sustainable value required by the world, what can we do together with our partners as "tomorrow's step toward the next 100 years"? We would like to discover the possibilities of the future together through open discussion toward the realization of a sustainable society, utilizing the resources of both Asahi Kasei's technology and our partner companies' services and products.

"What if we could solve the world's problems like this? "What kind of value could we create? We welcome your ideas for future possibilities.

Benefits of participating in this program

Collaboration with Asahi Kasei's R&D and other divisions
In addition to R&D and business divisions, planning divisions collaborate to explore the co-creation potential of each theme.

Explore all possibilities with a wide range of partners
The purpose of the project is to "explore possibilities," and discussions will be held from the front end of concrete business ideas.

Utilize Asahi Kasei's various assets
The Asahi Kasei Group has a diverse range of businesses and technologies, and its various assets can be utilized across the board.

Five themes of the "Asahi Kasei Value Co-Creation Table 2023

Exploring new applications for materials technology
Together with co-creation partners, we will search for applications where Asahi Kasei's material technologies and product features can be utilized, and for issues and needs in the markets we aim to enter, and aim to create new value by combining our co-creation partners' technologies, market knowledge, and other resources.

Theme 1-1: Exploring new applications for polymer aerogel sheets
Aerogel is a new material with extremely low density, lightweight, colorless, and large surface area. Compared to conventional silica aerogel, the polymer aerogel sheet being developed by Asahi Kasei is "thinner" and "more resistant to bending. Through discussions with various partner companies, we hope to understand the issues and needs of the market and find applications where Asahi Kasei's unique technology can be utilized.

<Image of markets/applications where we would like to discuss the possibility of using the technology
Utilization as electrode, catalyst, and semiconductor device materials
Thermal insulation for homes, office buildings, etc.
Search for new markets and applications where the characteristics of materials can be utilized, etc.

Theme 1-2: Exploring ways to utilize high-quality recycled "polyamide 66 (PA66)" and building an ecosystem
Asahi Kasei has established a process to produce high-quality recycled products from polyamide 66 (PA66). In addition to being able to utilize the various characteristics of this polyamide 66 as it is, we can also offer it in a new form as a porous powder. We are widely looking for partners who will work together to create a resource recycling eco-system for polyamide 66 and aim for a sustainable society.

<Image of markets, applications, and services for which you would like to discuss the possibility of using the technology
Search for applications of porous powder polyamide 66 for automotive parts, electronic parts, etc.
Search for polyamide 66 applications in apparel, clothing, etc.
Construction of an eco-system for resource recycling of polyamide 66 in various industries, etc.

Theme 1-3: Utilization of Benlease, a cellulose continuous long-fiber nonwoven fabric
BENLEASE®, the world's only mass-produced cellulose continuous filament nonwoven fabric by Asahi Kasei, is a material that combines the best features of both natural materials and chemical functions. Benlysee® has already been deployed in various applications, but through discussions with partner companies, we would like to find new possibilities, such as the development of new applications and the creation of new markets, where the characteristics of Benlysee® can be utilized.

<Image of markets/applications where we would like to discuss the possibility of using the technology
Exploration of applications in food, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and other food and agricultural sectors
Exploration of applications in technologies related to negative emissions
Search for new markets and applications that can take advantage of the characteristics of other materials, etc.

Searching for raw materials for the production of environmentally friendly plastics
We aim to develop new products and markets by utilizing our co-creation partners' raw materials and Asahi Kasei's processing technologies, such as searching for new raw materials that can utilize Asahi Kasei's technologies, and searching for market and product needs that utilize materials processed from those raw materials with Asahi Kasei's technologies.

Theme 2: Development of environmentally friendly plastics derived from new biomass raw materials
Asahi Kasei is developing biomass-derived materials with the aim of contributing to the creation of a sustainable society through decarbonization. We are developing high-performance resins for optics and telecommunications, aiming to contribute to both a digital society and sustainability.

<Example of co-creation ideas for discussion
Procurement of unused biomass feedstock and search for ways to use it
Development and application of high-performance resins suitable for optics, image transmission, information and telecommunications fields, etc.
Process development and application search for industrial use of coffee grounds, rice husks, sake koji, etc.

Collaboration with processing technology partners for advanced materials
In order to develop products utilizing the new silicon material technology being developed by Asahi Kasei, we will search for co-creation partners, such as companies that possess the processing technology necessary for module development (microfabrication processes and technology in the fields of silicon photonics and optical communications, etc.), and conduct joint development and research.

Theme 3: Search for processing technology partners for transparent and optical resins
Asahi Kasei is developing new silicon materials characterized by "optical properties" that excel in thermal and light curability, transparency, high energy light resistance, adhesiveness, heat resistance, and film formability. We will search for partners with the processing technology necessary to establish this new technology and material, and create new value such as low power consumption and high precision optical sensors in information and telecommunications.

<Example of co-creation ideas for discussion
Joint module development with companies with microfabrication and thin-film process technologies
Development of adhesion, coating, and coating process technologies for next-generation devices
Exploration of materials and technology utilization with device and set makers in the semiconductor field, etc.

Schedule of this program

Friday, August 18, 2023 - Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Application period for "Discussion Interviews
Phase 1: August 18, 2023 (Fri.) - September 17, 2023 (Sun.)
Phase 2: September 18, 2023 (Monday) - October 15, 2023 (Sunday)
Third period: October 16, 2023 (Monday) - November 15, 2023 (Wednesday)

At the end of each application period Screening, selection of interviewed companies, and notification of results
Phase 1: Late September 2023 or later
Phase 2: Late October 2023 or later
Third Fiscal Period: Late November 2023 or later

Subsequent processes will include

Conducting interviews
Determine which companies to continue discussions with through interviews
Discussion for co-creation

Eligibility for this program

The company must be registered as a corporation. Any size of company is acceptable.
Possess ideas that match the theme.

About Asahi Kasei

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