Shin-Etsu Group and SDGs
- Infrastructure Materials
- Electronics Materials
- Functional Materials
- Processing, Trading & Specialized Services
Contributing to the Achievement of SDGs Through Product
Infrastructure Materials
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin
Approximately 60% of the raw materials used in PVC are salts, which are abundant throughout the world. Compared to other general-purpose resins, the benefits of PVC include a low dependence on petroleum resources, placing a relatively small burden on the environment. The process of manufacturing PVC from raw materials uses around 60% of the energy required to make other general-purpose resins. Highly durable and easy to recycle, PVC is used for a wide range of social infrastructure materials, including vinyl windows, water and sewerage pipes, public works and other construction. PVC window frames have excellent heat insulation properties, which is effective for energy saving and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions..
Sodium hypochlorite
Sodium hypochlorite, which is used as a water disinfectant, has received Japan Water Supply Association (JWWA) water chemistry certification due to low impurities and high quality. It contributes not only to safety but also to the provision of delicious water. In addition to tap water, it is also used for sterilizing food manufacturing water and industrial water, contributing to ensuring safe and hygienic water.
Electronics Materials
Silicon Wafers
Silicon wafer is a material for the substrate that is widely used to manufacture smartphones, personal computers, digital home appliances and automobiles which are the essential products around us. We will continue to support the development of the semiconductor industry, which creates life with a dream such as self-driving cars and AI robots, and contribute to society.
Rare earth magnet
Rare earth magnet has about 10 times the magnetic force of conventional ferrite magnets and are used to reduce the weight of motors and increase electrical power regeneration. These magnets help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing the power efficiency of a variety of products, including environmentally friendly vehicles and energy-saving air conditioners.
High-purity transparent silicone / Epoxy material for LED device
Transparent silicone and epoxy material are encapsulation materials and sealing materials for LED devices that consumes less power than conventional lighting and fluorescent lamps. In particular, by using our materials, we can achieve a long life and improve high heat resistance, so it is also used in electric vehicles (EV vehicles) and contributes not only to energy saving but also to CO2 reduction.
Photoresist, Photomask blanks
Photoresist is the photosensitive resin that are used in the lithography process to transfer circuit patterns, such as those for semiconductors, on a silicone wafer. Photomask blanks are the base material of photomasks that are light-shielding thin films on a synthetic quartz substrate, are used as the patterning template of circuits to be transferred on a silicon wafer in the semiconductor lithography process. Both of them support the high integration, high speed, and high functionality of semiconductors that contribute to power saving and energy saving of automobiles and electronic devices.
Synthetic quartz preform for optical fiber
It is a rod made of synthetic quartz of high purity, and is designed so precisely that any incident light passes through without attenuation. By being used in medical endoscopes, it contributes to reducing the burden on patients and making accurate diagnoses. It is also used as materials for optical fibers, which are essential for the information society.
Functional Materials
Silicone
Silicone primarily consists of silicon (Si), which is the second-most abundant element found in the outer layer of the earth’s crust, behind oxygen. It is associated with a low dependence on petroleum resources and a low environmental footprint. In addition, taking advantage of its heat resistance, cold resistance, electrical properties, and water resistance it is used for environmentally friendly products such as electric vehicles, eco tires, LED lights, and solar power generation, thereby contributing to the achievement sustainable society.
Anode material for lithium ion batteries
Shin-Etsu has succeeded in putting electrical conductivity on SiO particles by using our own proprietary method, and has put it to practical use as an anode material for high-capacity and high-output lithium-ion batteries. High-capacity batteries help reduce the weight and increase the mileage of electric vehicles, thereby contributing to the reduction of environmental impact.
Cellulose derivatives
Cellulose derivatives made from natural polymer cellulose are environmentally friendly materials, and used in a wide range of fields such as pharmaceuticals, food, construction and civil engineering work. Industrial cellulose derivatives reduce the separation of concrete in water, enabling concrete to be poured without polluting water. This contributes to environmental preservation by preventing water pollution
Synthetic pheromones
Synthetic pheromones provide a new type of agricultural material that inhibits the mating of pests to reduce the next generation of them. By using synthetic pheromones, it aims only at eliminating agricultural pests, agricultural products can be cultivated while maintaining the ecosystem of many living creatures such as these pests' natural enemies. Also, it is possible to reduce the spread of agricultural chemicals that cause contamination of groundwater and rivers, thereby contributes to the conservation of water resources.
Processing, Trading & Specialized Services
Biodegradable runner clip
Biodegradable runner clip is an agricultural materials used to divide crops with runners (stems) that crawl on the ground, such as strawberries and melons. Made of biodegradable plastic, it gradually becomes brittle due to ultraviolet rays and hydrolysis after use, and is decomposed by microorganisms in the soil in 1 to 2 years. Since it is composed of the materials certified as biodegradable plastic and biomass plastic, it does not lead to an increase in CO2, and it also contributes to global warming countermeasures and reduction of plastic waste.
Medical catheter
Medical catheter is a medical device that is inserted into the body of a patient whose physical function has deteriorated due to illness or surgery, and is mainly composed of silicone rubber, which is said to be less prone to allergic reactions. In modern medicine, it is used for various medical procedures such as blood collection, body fluid drainage, examination and treatment, and contributes to the provision of high-quality basic healthcare services.