SINGAPORE - Four men were charged in court on Wednesday (July 28) over their involvement in a Telegram group containing leaked sexual videos and images of women. The Telegram group, named "Sam's lots of CB Collection", included photos of individuals in the nude, of women dressed scantily or in compromising positions, as well as videos of sexual acts. These are exploitative of the women involved as they were circulated on the platform without consent, said the police in a statement on Wednesday. The four men - Yee Wing Kay, 46; Wong Ming Jun, 28; Lincoln Anthony Fernandez, 30; and Tan Yeow Chong, 40 - were charged with multiple counts of possessing obscene films and transmitting obscene materials. Among other offences, Tan is said to have a total of 17,219 obscene films in two of his hard disks. Wong, Fernandez and Tan are Singaporeans. Yee is a Malaysian with Singapore permanent residency. The police said they received a report against the Telegram group on Oct 24, 2019, and arrested four men responsible for the upkeep and the distribution of the obscene contents in the group on Nov 6 that year. "Subsequent investigations revealed that three of the men were believed to be administrators of the Telegram group, while the fourth had advertised the sale of the obscene materials," said the police. Electronic devices were subsequently seized from them and obscene materials, including thousands of video files and pictures, were uncovered from forensic examination. The police said they consulted the Attorney-General's Chambers this month to charge the four men, upon the conclusion of investigations. Their cases will be heard again on Aug 28. Offenders guilty of possessing obscene films can be jailed for up to six months, or fined up to $20,000, or both. Those guilty of transmitting obscene materials can be jailed for up to three months, or fined, or both. The police said they take a very serious view of sexual exploitation of women perpetuated through illegal chat groups, and will take tough enforcement actions against such offences. "Members of the public are advised not to join illegal chat groups circulating obscene materials, and to report them to the police," they added. More on this topic Related Story Chat groups circulating obscene images of women in S'pore re-emerge on Telegram Related Story SG Nasi Lemak chat admin jailed and fined; had more than 11,000 obscene photos and videos
HONG KONG, Jul 19, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Global New Material, a leading company in the global new consumable materials market, gave a 'big gift' to its investors before officially listing. On July 9, Global New Material (stock code: 6616) announced an IPO price of HKD3.25, 7.67% lower than the previous IPO floor price. From the investors' perspective, Global New Material lowering its IPO price from that of the IPO period, in fact, has left more room for market share price appreciation in the future.High-quality companies prefer low-price offerings in mature capital marketsIn mature capital markets, the lower-price offering is an effective strategy for information transmission. Those high-quality companies that are confident in their future business operations prefer the low-price offering strategy with higher market awareness, instead of advertising, extended lock-up period, underwriting by high-reputation investment banks or other approaches to deliver their intrinsic value to the markets.The low-price offering is not harmful to high-quality companies as the low-price offering will attract more investors and will further lay a solid foundation for their post-listing stock price growth. Continuous growth in stock price and market value is extremely conducive to post-listing financing and therefore, will make up the value that companies give to their investors in IPO.Besides, the low-price offering strategy is unlikely to be copied by poorer-quality companies. Since poorer-quality companies probably "usher in the peak when they go public" and then experience stock price decline, they will not and dare not purposefully lower their offering price. In fact, Global New Material lowering its IPO price is probably not only for this purpose.Global New Material is preparing for access to Southbound Trading LinkLow-price offering activates stock trading, which probably demonstrates Global New Material's preparation for access to Southbound Trading Link. Access to Southbound Trading Link is a very essential step to enhance market attention and activate stock trading of stocks listed in Hong Kong. It is learned from the management that Global New Material, which has just completed its IPO, is currently preparing for access to Southbound Trading Link.The inclusion of Hang Seng Indexes will affect the inclusion of the Southbound Trading Link. According to the inclusion criteria of Hang Seng Indexes, the turnover rate is also considered in addition to the examination of the companies with the top 95% of the market capitalization in the option pool. Global New Material's low-price offering strategy can facilitate faster meeting the requirements at the market dealing level.Global New Material, which is preparing for access to Southbound Trading Link, is expected to experience stock price growth. Aftermarket close on August 20, 2021, the results of the latest mid-term review of Hang Seng Index constituent stocks will be released. As calculated by brokerage firms, the average market value threshold for entry into Hang Seng Composite Index this time is approximately HKD8.77 billion.Global New Material currently applies an offering price of HKD3.25 with a stock market value of HKD3.779 billion, which is lower than that required for access to Southbound Trading Link. However, the company still strongly desires to make access to Southbound Trading Link, indicating that its management is confident in its future business operations and post-listing stock price performance.Two new materials are of great potential in huge consumer marketsBoth pearlescent pigments and synthetic mica, Global New Material's two main types of new material products, are of great potential in huge markets in the fields of basic necessities of life and other consumer fields.Pearlescent pigments are penetrating high-end fields at an expedited pace while replacing traditional pigments. As shown in the prospectus, Global New Material's pearlescent pigments have two major significant advantages over traditional pigments in terms of being colour-lasting, toxic-free, harmless and environmentally friendly. In addition to traditional application fields, there is a fast-growing demand for pearlescent pigments in recent years in various high-end fields such as automobiles and cosmetics.From 2021 to 2025, the compound annual growth rate of the global pearlescent pigment market will further climb to 23.9%, and the compound annual growth rate of pearlescent pigments in the global automotive and cosmetics sectors will surprisingly reach 47.1% and 32.8% respectively. Therefore, Global New Material's pearlescent pigment products are expected to be applied in a wider range of application fields and occupy a huge market share with tremendous potential for future growth.Synthetic mica is also penetrating mid-to-high-end consumer markets, such as the fairly popular field of fuel cells. In view of the exhaustion of natural mica resources in China and synthetic mica products' advantages in terms of insulation, high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, there is an extremely strong demand for synthetic mica products and synthetic mica-based pearlescent pigments which are priced at a medium-to-high level and are mainly applied in mid-to-high-end industrial fields and other fields such as automobiles and cosmetics.Moreover, according to scientific research findings, synthetic mica materials are being used to improve the existing fuel cell technology by virtue of their high proton conductivity and excellent heat resistance. The existing product prototype, i.e. mica membrane, is recognized as a new proton-conducting membrane with high proton conductivity.To sum up, pearlescent pigments and synthetic mica, as two new material products, are of tremendous market potential, and Global New Material, as the leader in the fields of such two new materials, has gained dominant competitive advantages.Comprehensive advantages cement the dominant position in the fields of the scarcest resourcesIn both pearlescent pigments and synthetic mica, Global New Material has built significant advantages in technology and business scale. In 2020, in terms of corporate revenue, Global New Material was the largest pearlescent pigment manufacturer in China with a market share of 11% and ranked fourth in the global market with a market share of 3%. Global New Material has sold its products to more than 30 countries and regions worldwide, and its technical team is headed by Professor Jiansheng Fu - known as the leading authority on pearlescent materials in China and father of chameleon pearlescent materials. According to the prospectus, Global New Material is currently the only company in the field of synthetic mica that possesses all the core technologies of synthetic mica. Backed by strong R&D, Global New Material can launch over 100 new products each year, leading the global industry.Contact:Haolu Wang, PeanutmediaE: wanghaolu@czgmcn.comURL: www.Peanutmedia.com Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
SINGAPORE - The road ahead for the construction industry remains uncertain, for while Singapore may have quelled the Covid-19 outbreak in worker dormitories here and is gradually opening up, the countries that supply manpower and materials for the construction industry have not, some contractors told The Straits Times. Malaysia's full movement control order that was implemented on June 1, for instance, affected the inflow of precast components used in the Housing Board's Build-To-Order (BTO) projects, said one. Around 60 per cent to 70 per cent of BTO blocks are built using a prefabricated pre-finished volumetric construction method, which has entire units built in factories and assembled on-site, Lego-style. The majority of the components are imported from Malaysia and supply has been greatly disrupted, said Mr Ganessaraj Soocelaraj, group chief executive of Soilbuild Construction. "Locally, we've got a good system going, with vaccination and regular testing among the workers. But our construction sector still relies so heavily on imports, both for manpower and materials, and these external factors are out of our control," said Mr Ganessaraj. "Nevertheless, there is some optimism, but the pace at which we are getting there is, understandably, not as quick as we hope," he added. Straits Construction executive director Kenneth Loo said current precast components are "bespoke" for each project, which makes it hard for contractors to go to an alternative source, especially at short notice. This challenge comes on top of the tightened border controls that have limited the inflow of foreign workers from India and Bangladesh since April. A pilot programme to bring in workers from India to the construction, marine and process sectors here is under way, but the numbers are small and barely scratch the surface of what is needed, said Mr Loo. "There's a big difference between the number of workers being brought in and the number leaking out." Mr Khoo Sze Boon, managing director for Singapore at real estate consultancy Turner & Townsend, said the immediate focus should be to resolve the manpower shortage to clear the backlog of projects. But the digital transformation of the industry should be accelerated in tandem, he added, to increase productivity and reduce reliance on foreign labour. Mr Ben Breen, managing director for the Asia-Pacific and head of global construction at Project Management Institute, said Singapore has had a leg-up in leveraging innovative building techniques but should also invest in its human capital by continuously training its core workforce, like project managers. "Technical skills will always be instrumental, but they increasingly must be complemented by capabilities focused on working with people and leading teams," he said. More on this topic Related Story Airlines, hotels and travel agents in S'pore hunker down for long haul
HONG KONG, Jul 8, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - New materials, with the new international situation, has become a key segment for overcoming market challenges, and is favoured by national strategic development planning policies. Pearlescent materials and synthetic mica are high value-added new materials. Global New Material (6616.HK), which carried out its IPO from June 30 to July 6 and plans to issue 290 million shares at HKD3.52-4.22 when it lists July 16, produces China's market-leading shares in both.Pearlescent materials are expected to boom, achieving a market size of over RMB140 billion.Pearlescent materials have dominant advantages when compared with traditional pigments. As a new consumable material without a definite industry life cycle, pearlescent pigments are rapidly replacing traditional organic pigments and metal pigments, and are widely applied in coatings, inks, plastics, cosmetics, automobiles, aerospace and other fields. As set forth in the Classification of Strategic Emerging Industries (2018) issued by the central government, pearlescent materials are included in the pigment manufacturing sector of strategic emerging industries.Global New Material, which stays focused on technology, plays a leading role in the field of pearlescent materials. With the strong support of the technical team, headed by Professor Jiansheng Fu, a world-renowned pearlescent material expert known as the leading authority on pearlescent materials in China, and father of chameleon pearlescent materials, Global New Material can launch over 100 new products every year, including silicon ball series, the Light of the Dawn series, and other innovative lines of products leading the global industry.Global New Material has sold its products in China and to more than 30 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. As shown in a report issued by Frost & Sullivan, in terms of corporate revenue, Global New Material was the largest manufacturer of pearlescent materials and the industry leader in China in 2020 with a market share of 11.0%, the only company in China that occupies a market share of over 10%.In the global market, Global New Material ranked as the fourth largest manufacturer of pearlescent materials in 2020 with a market share of 3.0% which is only 0.2% lower than that of the third largest one. Global New Material is currently in the explosive stage of acquiring a market share of RMB140 billion.On the whole, the global pearlescent material market is on the steady rise with the market seize reaching RMB18.9 billion in 2020 and with a compound annual growth rate of 19.2% from 2016 to 2020. Considering that the total market size of the global pigment market is currently RMB160 billion, pearlescent pigments are expected to replace other pigments and gain a bigger market share.As forecasted by Frost & Sullivan, in view of consumption upgrade and of the fact that pearlescent materials are gradually replacing other pigments, the market size of the pearlescent material market will reach RMB44.6 billion in 2025, and the compound annual growth rate of the global pearlescent pigment market will further climb to 23.9% from 2021 to 2025, indicating that the industry is in the explosive growth stage. (Chart #1)In the mid-to-high-end consumer sector, the market share occupied by pearlescent materials is growing at an expedited pace.According to data, the market size of automotive-grade pearlescent materials reached RMB950 million in 2020, accounting for 5.0% of the overall market size of the pearlescent materials market. In the field of cosmetics, the market size of cosmetic-grade pearlescent materials is also on the steady rise. Data shows that from 2021 to 2025, pearlescent materials to be applied in the global automotive market and the global cosmetics market will experience a compound growth rate of 47.1% and 32.8% respectively. (Chart #2)In the consumer sectors, especially in the mid-to-high-end consumer sector, pearlescent materials that are gaining a greater market share will continue to drive the rapid development of Global New Material.However, in addition to pearlescent materials, synthetic mica that is a new material extending to the upstream of the industrial chain and having core technical advantages is also giving strong support to the development of Global New Material.From pearlescent materials to fuel cells, synthetic mica is of great market potentialSynthetic mica is widely applied in different fields, and is used as a base material of pearlescent materials. First-generation pearlescent materials are natural mica-based, and all-natural mica materials currently used are imported from India as natural mica in China has been exhausted. In this context, the best solution for achieving localization and avoiding reliance on imported technologies is to replace natural mica with synthetic mica.Data shows that the market share of synthetic mica-based pearlescent pigments has increased from 5.3% in 2016 to 11.7% in 2020. Driven by the technology advancement and productivity improvement of synthetic mica, the market share of synthetic mica-based pearlescent pigments in the global market is expected to reach 23.6% in 2025, and the synthetic mica-based pearlescent pigment market will usher in a compound annual growth rate of 47.6% from 2021 to 2025.Mica products are also widely used in producing insulating materials and refractory materials which are further used in electric power, high-temperature smelting, household appliances and other fields. In 2020, the market size of mica applied in producing pearlescent materials, in producing refractory materials, and in producing insulating materials reached RMB1.38 billion, RMB7.66 billion, and RMB3.70 billion respectively.Moreover, synthetic mica products with better overall performance than natural mica products are still extending to higher-end markets, including the field of fuel cells that is the focus of the most attention in the market. Additionally, these materials can be further applied to semiconductors and other cutting-edge fields.Given that synthetic mica-based products show better insulation, high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance than natural mica-based products, synthetic mica-based products are more likely to be used in higher-end fields and broader applications. For example, synthetic mica-based products are widely used in producing cosmetic-grade and automotive-grade pearlescent pigment products, and in the thermal insulation material industry and even the fuel cell field of new energy vehicles.Mica can be used as a high-temperature proton exchange membrane for fuel cells. Studies found that compared with graphene, which is developing as a proton-conducting material, mica performs better in terms of proton conductivity and thermal stability. At 150 degrees Celsius, mica membrane shows proton conductivity more than 2 times higher than that required for commercialization, which indicates that vehicles designed with fuel cells using mica membranes will have a greatly improved mileage.At present, mica membrane as a new type of proton-conducting membrane material with high proton conductivity has taken shape in the research and development process. Studies found that the treated mica films show greatly improved proton conductivity and have their service temperature having been increased from 100 degrees Celsius to 500 degrees Celsius, and that the application of such films with high proton conductivity and excellent heat resistance in improving existing fuel cells will boost the development of the field of fuel cell vehicles.Global New Material, which ranks first in the synthetic mica industry, is expected to be able to fully exploit the potential of this field. In 2015, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China listed synthetic mica as one of the 18 key basic new materials for the national industrial upgrading project, and only CHESIR (now Global New Material) was authorized to take on this project.As the only company in the industry that possesses all the core technologies of synthetic mica, Global New Material has effectively solved the key technical difficulties such as control instability, poor insulation performance, and hardness and brittleness caused by high fluorine content, and has realized the localization of the production of high-quality synthetic mica with the world-leading quality level of synthetic mica products. Besides, Global New Material is also expanding applications of synthetic mica.Global New Material's business scale is currently ranking first in the global industry.In the global synthetic mica-based pearlescent materials market, top five market players ranked by corporate revenue in 2020 occupied a total market share of 28.1%, and Global New Material ranked first with a market share of 8.9% which is 3.4% higher than that of the second one. In the domestic market, Global New Material ranked first with a market share of 25.4% which is more than twice the market share of 12.5% of the second player. (Chart #3)With significant advantages in terms of technology and business scale, Global New Material will have immeasurable development prospects so long as it can commercialize synthetic mica in the field of fuel cells. As a leader in the global new material market which is gaining market share and has space for future development, Global New Material will appear in the secondary market at an attractive corporate valuation.Global New Material still has an advantage in corporate valuation under the drive of two types of new consumable materialsGlobal New Material currently has a share capital of 1.163 billion shares at an issue price of HKD3.52-HKD4.22, with a total market value of HKD4.094 billion to HKD4.909 billion.Global New Material had its net profit attributable to shareholders reaching RMB77.402 million, RMB103 million and RMB148 million respectively from 2018 to 2020, and had the net profit attributable to shareholders in 2019 and 2020 showing a year-on-year increase of 33.07% and 43.69% respectively. It is estimated based on those data that Global New Material's price-to-earnings ratio will reach 15x-18x in 2021.Ganfeng Lithium, a listed company on HKEx that is engaged in the upstream fields of the new energy battery, is expected to achieve a price-to-earnings ratio of about 64x in 2021, and Flat Glass Group, engaged in the industry of new energy photovoltaic glass materials, is expected to achieve a price-to-earnings ratio of 23x in 2021. This means that as an industry-leader possessing core technologies necessary for manufacturing two types of new consumable materials, Global New Material is of great potential to increase its corporate valuation.Moreover, once its second-phase plant, with an annual output of 30,000-ton synthetic mica, is completed and put into operation, Global New Material will be able to take control of the upstream fields in the global supply chain of synthetic mica products, to take a leading position in the pearlescent material industry and the synthetic mica industry, and as a result, to further enhance its net profitability in the future.Therefore, a wave of investment is expected to be triggered once Global New Material is officially listed on July 16.Contact:Haolu Wang, PeanutmediaE: wanghaolu@czgmcn.comURL: www.Peanutmedia.com Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
TOKYO, Jul 8, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - With regard to the media coverage made by Nihon Keizai Shimbun (NIKKEI: The Japan Economic Journal) published on July 8, 2021 reporting that Showa Denko (SDK; TSE:4004) will sell off the lead-acid battery business operated by Showa Denko Materials Co., Ltd., which is a member company of the Showa Denko Group, SDK has never released such news, and the coverage is not based on information disclosed by SDK.SDK has been investigating various measures to increase its corporate value, including review of the Showa Denko Group's business portfolio. Regarding this issue, SDK will suggest a draft resolution to the meeting of the Board of Directors which is to be convened today, and will disclose results of the meeting without delay if any decision regarding this issue is made officially.About Showa Denko K.K.Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004, ADR:SHWDY) is a major manufacturer of chemical products serving from heavy industry to computers and electronics. The Petrochemicals Sector provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene, the Chemicals Sector provides industrial, high-performance and high-purity gases and chemicals for semicon and other industries, the Inorganics Sector provides ceramic products, such as alumina, abrasives, refractory/graphite electrodes and fine carbon products. The Aluminum Sector provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum, the Electronics Sector provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high bright LEDs, and rare earth magnetic alloys, and the Advanced Battery Materials Department (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp/english/.Media contact:Showa Denko K.K., CSR & Corporate Communication Office, Tel: +81-3-5470-3235 Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
HONG KONG, July 7, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Global New Material, the global leader in the field of new consumable materials, specifically pearlescent materials, is currently in the offering stage, a step away from its official July 17 listing (6616.HK) on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. Global New Material International Holdings Limited, or Global New Material, has become the largest pearlescent material manufacturer in China and is aiming to be the largest in the world by virtue of its unique technical advantages.Synthetic mica is expected to replace traditional pigments, while pearlescent materials should further expand in middle and high-end consumption fields, ushering in higher localization rates. We expect Global New Material, benefitting from opportunity in both pearlescent materials and synthetic mica, will develop at a firmer pace with capital market support.Global New Material remains the industry leader by virtue of its dominant advantages in technologyWith the top talent in the industry and synthetic mica as a key base material, Global New Material focuses on R&D and innovation, and has accumulated significant and dominant technical advantages.Global New Materia's technical team is headed by Professor Jiansheng Fu, a world-renowned pearlescent material expert, and is acclaimed as the premier authority on pearlescent materials in China and as the father of chameleon pearlescent materials. His team authors more than 100 advances in new material research every year, including the silicon ball series, the "Light of the Dawn" series and other innovative material lines already leading international markets.Global New Material has also hired two doctors from the French Academy of Sciences to run the development of cosmetics products. Global New Material's products have been put into mass production, and have been supplied to several big-name cosmetics companies. Moreover, Global New Material has set up a team dedicated to studying the downstream application of pearlescent materials and has developed thousands of personalized products using pearlescent materials, as well as personalized color product-related services for customers.In particular, Global New Material has the technical advantages in manufacturing synthetic mica, the second-generation base material used in pearlescent materials. There is an increasingly stronger demand for synthetic mica as natural mica is on the verge of exhaustion. In this context, Global New Material is currently the only company in the industry that has all core technologies required for manufacturing synthetic mica.To date, Global New Material pearlescent materials are found in 473 natural mica-based products, 266 synthetic mica-based products, 30 glass sheet-based products, and 5 silica-based products. Global New Material pearlescent materials are widely applied for different purposes and in different industries covering automotive coatings, cosmetics, industrial coatings, plastics, printing, textiles, leather and ceramics.Additionally, Global New Material sells synthetic mica powder products of different particle sizes which are used in pearlescent material products of different grades and produce functional fillers, insulating materials, refractory materials and raw materials of nickel-hydrogen batteries. Global New Material not only remains the industry leader by relying on technical advantage, but it has shaped its business scale as well.According to the prospectus, Global New Material has sold products to more than 30 countries and regions in Asia (excluding China), Europe, Africa and South America. As shown in a report issued by Frost & Sullivan, in terms of corporate revenue, Global New Material was the largest manufacturer of pearlescent materials and China's industry leader in 2020 with a market share of 11.0%, the only company in China with a market share of over 10%.In the global market, Global New Material ranked as the fourth largest manufacturer of pearlescent materials in 2020 with a market share of 3.0%, only 0.2% lower than that of the third largest. In the synthetic mica-based pearlescent materials market, the top five by corporate revenue in 2020 occupied a market share of 28.1%, Global New Material ranked first with a market share of 8.9%, 3.4% higher than that of the second one. In the domestic market, Global New Material ranked first with a market share of 25.4%, more than twice the market share of the second player.In recent years, Global New Material's production capacity has been on the rise. Specifically, its annual planned production capacity of pearlescent material products reached 10,464 tons, 12,978 tons and 13,740 tons at the end of 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively, and its annual planned production capacity of synthetic mica powder doubled from 4,752 tons at the end of 2019, which remained stable for two years, to 9,504 tons at the end of 2020.,Driven by existing advantages, business performance is growing at a remarkably expedited paceGlobal New Material's two core business segments, natural mica-based and synthetic mica-based products have been on the marked rise, leading to continued increases in corporate revenue.According to the prospectus, 2018 to 2020 sales volume of natural mica-based products, which account for the largest percentage of Global New Material's revenue, reached 7,217.9 tons, 8,822.4 tons and 10,056.8 tons respectively, an average annual compound growth rate of 18.04%.Sales volume of synthetic mica-based products, which account for the second-largest percentage of Global New Material's revenue, reached 1,228.8 tons, 2,231.8 tons and 3,943.5 tons respectively an average annual compound growth rate of 79.14%.Benefiting from the stable increase in sales volume of the forgoing core business segments and of glass sheet-based and silicon oxide-based products, the overall sales volume of Global New Material increased from 8,535.5 tons in 2018 to 11,264.5 tons in 2019 and even reached 14,243.3 tons in 2020.In terms of corporate revenue, natural mica-based products contributed RMB245 million, RMB296 million and RMB319 million in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively, showing a steady increase. The corporate revenue contributed by synthetic mica-based products rapidly increased from RMB68.28 million in 2018 to RMB197 million in 2020, with the proportion of total corporate revenue increasing from 21.5% to 34.6%.The corporate revenue contributed by glass sheet-based products increased by 9.1 times and 2.4 times in 2019 and 2020 respectively from RMB1.375 million in 2018, and reached RMB46.821 million in 2020. In the past three years, Global New Material's corporate revenue reached RMB318 million, RMB441 million and RMB569 million respectively, increasing by 38.44% and 29.17% in 2019 and 2020 respectively. In particular, a remarkable increase was achieved during COVID-19 in 2020.We can see that growth in gross profit margins and optimization of expense ratios continues to enhance Global New Material's profitability.According to financial data, benefiting from the expansion of business scale and technological improvement, Global New Material's gross profit margin increased from 49.5% in 2019 to 49.9% in 2020 even though it lowered prices of its core products during the epidemic prevention and control period in 2020. Besides, its sales expense ratio, administrative expense ratio and financial expense ratio dropped from 5.29%, 12.87% and 4.19% in 2019 to 4.32%, 12.81% and 3.41% respectively in 2020.In this context, Global New Material had its net profit reaching RMB153 million in 2020, with an increase of 42.42% which is significantly higher than 31.92% in 2019, and also had its net profit margin increasing from 24.4% in 2019 to 26.9% in 2020.Benefiting from its production capacity expansion plan and the increasingly stronger demands in the industry, we expect Global New Material to remain on its growth trend with business performance.The era of pearlescent materials is comingPearlescent materials, which replace traditional pigments with new applications under exploration, will be of great potential in the future. Pearlescent pigment is a new composite material produced by imitating the formation principle of pearls, and has a micron-sized mica flake at the core which is coated with a nano-sized metal oxide film. Pearlescent pigments can create beautiful, brilliant and long-lasting colours without harm to human health and the environment, as with natural pearls, and are therefore called "pearlescent materials".As set forth in the Classification of Strategic Emerging Industries (2018) issued by the Chinese central government, mica products are functional fillers as new energy materials used in strategic emerging industries, and mica-based pearlescent materials are pigments as other new functional materials used in strategic emerging industries.Compared with traditional pigments, pearlescent materials involve 2 distinct and innovative elements: (1) pearlescent materials abandon the color generation principle requiring three primary colors that applies to traditional pigments, and adopt the principle of light interference effect for color generation to ensure long-lasting colors; and (2) pearlescent pigments are non-toxic and harmless to human health and environment. As a new consumable material without a definite industry life cycle, pearlescent pigments are rapidly replacing traditional organic and metal pigments, and are widely applied in coatings, inks, plastics, cosmetics, automobiles, aerospace and other fields.With the benefit of higher market penetration in the automotive market, automotive-grade pearlescent materials reached RMB950 million in 2020, accounting for 5.0% of the overall market size of the pearlescent materials market. The market size of cosmetic-grade pearlescent materials is also on a steady rise. From 2021 to 2025, pearlescent materials to be applied in the global automotive market and the global cosmetics market will experience a compound growth rate of 47.1% and 32.8% respectively.On the whole, the global pearlescent material market is on a steady rise with the market seize reaching RMB18.9 billion in 2020 and with a compound annual growth rate of 19.2% from 2016 to 2020. Considering that the total market size of the global pigment market is currently RMB160 billion, pearlescent pigments are expected to replace other pigments and gain an ever-larger market share.As forecasted by Frost & Sullivan, in view of consumption upgrade and of the fact that pearlescent materials are gradually replacing other pigments, the market size of the pearlescent material market will reach RMB44.6 billion in 2025, and the compound annual growth rate of the global pearlescent pigment market will further climb to 23.9% from 2021 to 2025.Meanwhile, the trend of replacing imported products with Chinese-made products is creating great market opportunities for leading companies such as Global New Material.It is known that pearlescent pigment is included in the Directory of High-tech New Material Products for Export and enjoys export tax benefits, and falls in the new material industry encouraged by the state. At present, the market size of the Chinese pearlescent pigment market is expanding at a pace significantly faster than that of the global pearlescent pigment market.The market size of the Chinese pearlescent pigment market expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 23.9% from 2016 to 2020, and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 30.8% from 2021 to 2025. Even though some pearlescent pigments sold in China are still imported from Germany-based Merck, BASF and other overseas suppliers, the trend of replacing imported products with Chinese-made products will empower the development of Chinese leading companies such as Global New Material.Furthermore, the synthetic mica market is boomingFirst-generation pearlescent materials are natural mica-based, and all-natural mica materials currently used are imported from India as natural mica in China has been exhausted. In this context, the best solution is to replace natural mica with synthetic mica. In 2015, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China listed synthetic mica as one of the 18 key basic new materials for the national industrial upgrading project, and only CHESIR was authorized to take on this project.Given that synthetic mica-based products show better insulation, high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance than natural mica-based products, synthetic mica-based products are more likely to be used in higher-end fields and broader applications. At present, synthetic mica powder is usually used to produce cosmetic-grade and automotive-grade pearlescent pigment products.Data shows that the market share of synthetic mica-based pearlescent pigments has increased from 5.3% in 2016 to 11.7% in 2020. Driven by the technology advancement and productivity improvement of synthetic mica, the market share of synthetic mica-based pearlescent pigments in the global market is expected to reach 23.6% in 2025, and the synthetic mica-based pearlescent pigment market will usher in a compound annual growth rate of 47.6% from 2021 to 2025.Like pearlescent materials, synthetic mica is used in broader applicationsIn addition to pearlescent materials, mica products are used in producing insulating and refractory materials which are then used in automobiles, cosmetics, electric power, high-temperature smelting, household appliances and other fields. From 2018 to 2020, the market size of mica applied in producing pearlescent materials reached RMB1.38 billion, RMB7.66 billion, and RMB3.70 billion respectively. Additionally, insulating materials will be applied to semiconductors and other cutting-edge fields.With the improvement of the overall R&D capabilities, synthetic mica with better properties will be applied in more fields such as thermal insulation materials. At present, Global New Material is the only company in the industry that has the core technologies required in producing synthetic mica, and it also occupies the largest market share in the global synthetic mica-based pearlescent material market.With its production capacity being expanded greatly, we expect Global New Material to be the biggest winner of the upcoming market opportunities.All existing production facilities producing pearlescent pigment in Global New Material's first-phase plant are near full capacity. In view of this, Global New Material is investing RMB1.338 billion to build a second-phase facility covering an area of 145,200 square meters, including four factories with a planned capacity of 30,000 tons/yr, power supply facilities, ancillary facilities and warehouses.When the new plant is completed and put into operation, Global New Material should be able to dominate the upstream in the global supply chain of synthetic mica, and therefore become the leading enterprise in the pearlescent material and synthetic mica industry.In summary, Global New Material remains first in China with its technical advantages and aims to lead the global market, developing at an expedited pace following industry opportunity and based on its expansion strategy. We expect to see a new wave of investment by Global New Material following its HKEx debut later this month.Global New Material will trade under stock code HKSE: 6616.Contact:Haolu Wang, PeanutmediaEmail: wanghaolu@czgmcn.comURL: https://www.Peanutmedia.com
HONG KONG, Jul 5, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - As one of the seven strategic emerging industries in China and one of the ten key areas of development under the "Made in China 2025" policy, the new material industry is considered the high-tech industry with the greatest potential in the 21st century, with significant impact on future development.Global New Material International Holdings Limited (Global New Material) is a leading player in the market segment, with main products including natural mica, synthetic mica, silica, alumina and other base materials, all representative of the segment in new consumable materials featuring high market barriers, high added value and broad market prospects.Global New Material published its IPO prospectus on 30 June 2021. Dealings in its shares on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (6066.HK) are expected to commence on 16 July 2021. I. Rapid growth of the new material industry empowers Global New Material's great potential of developmentGenerally, growth stocks are of greater market potential than value stocks, and a company that grows faster than its industry sector usually shows growth in sales and profits. Many outstanding growth stock companies are leaders in some emerging industries. Global New Material has the characteristics of a growth stock company.The fast-growing "new material" industry shows promising prospectsWith its main products including natural mica-based and synthetic mica-based pearlescent pigment products, Global New Material has the core technologies required in producing synthetic mica, occupies a dominant position in the high-end market, and is at the forefront of advanced technology.With breakthroughs made in production technology, the rise of scientific manufacturing, increased public awareness and recognition of synthetic mica-based pearlescent materials in the future, and the gradually increased consumption level, synthetic mica-based, alumina-based and other pearlescent materials will be widely applied in different application fields, and will have further space for market growth.Frost & Sullivan forecasts that the market size of the global new materials market will reach RMB3,251.11 billion in 2024, with an average annual compound growth rate of 10.9% from 2020 to 2024. Frost & Sullivan also forecasts that from 2021 to 2025, the new material market segment in which Global New Material is will experience a compound annual growth rate of 23.9% and 30.8% respectively in the global market and the Chinese market, and a rapidly increasing quantity of pearlescent materials will be applied and demanded.Moreover, there is a strong demand for high-end and high-performance pearlescent pigment products, and the fields of automobiles and cosmetics in which pearlescent pigment products are widely applied have been developing rapidly in recent years with an annual compound growth rate of 47.1% and 32.8% respectively from 2021 to 2025, which indicates that there is a strong demand for high-end and high-performance pearlescent pigment products, and that Global New Material is expected to further develop in this context.Global New Material is building a second-phase plant for production of high-end products as synthetic mica-based products, triggering a new wave of growthFrom 2018 to 2020, Global New Material revenue increased from RMB318 million to RMB569 million and remained on the steady rise in business performance, with a compound growth rate of revenue reaching 33.7%. The company achieved this business performance thanks to continuous increase in its product sales volume and its adjustments to product structure.In terms of sales volume, the sales volume of Global New Material's pearlescent pigment products increased from 8,451 tons in 2018 to 14,165 tons in 2020. In terms of revenue structure, the proportion of synthetic mica-based products in total revenue remained on the rise from 2018 to 2020, and increased from 21.8% in 2018 to 34.6% in 2020. Therefore, synthetic mica-based products have become one of the main pillars supporting Global New Material's business performance growth.In the industrial field, synthetic mica-based pearlescent materials can replace metal, organic and inorganic pigments. Synthetic mica-based pearlescent materials are priced at mid- to high-level, and are mainly applied in mid-to-high-end industrial, automobiles, cosmetics and other fields. Under the influence of the trend of consumption upgrade, increasingly higher requirements are made for the performance of pearlescent materials. Synthetic mica-based pearlescent materials will be widely applied in a wide range of application fields, indicating that such materials will enjoy market potential in the high-end market.Frost & Sullivan forecasts that from 2020 to 2024, the domestic demand for pearlescent materials will be on the rise, especially in the high-end market represented by synthetic mica-based pearlescent materials.In order to meet the strong demand in the market for high-end and high-performance pearlescent pigment products, Global New Material is building the second-phase plant to expand its production capacity and seize market potential of pearlescent pigment products. The plant is expected to be put into operation in 2021.According to the prospectus, Global New Material will start trial production of 6,000-ton synthetic mica in its newly-added production capacity in the second quarter of 2022, and will further expand its production capacity to 14,000 tons in the second quarter of 2023 and to 30,000 tons in the second quarter of 2025.II. Global New Material possesses many patents, core technologies, and sustainable competitive advantageIt is well known that in the investment philosophy proposed by Buffett, those companies with high gross profit margin in the industry have more advantages. Gross profit margin reflects a company's ability to transform business operations into profit, and also reflects a company's unique advantages in raw material pricing, production technology level, product competitiveness, supply-and-demand relations, market pricing power.That is to say, gross profit margin directly reflects a company's competitiveness. Gross profit margin of Global New Material was in the range of 46.2%-49.9% from 2018 to 2020. Can we see the unique advantages?Global New Material possesses core technologiesTechnological breakthroughs in the field of pearlescent materials has become one of the major trends in the future development of the industry. Regarding core technologies, breakthroughs in the technologies applied in producing synthetic mica are one of the key factors driving performance improvement of pearlescent materials. At present, base materials used in pearlescent materials mainly include natural mica and synthetic mica, of which the former is scarce in China and is mainly imported from other countries and regions. Synthetic mica is a new material that features in big difficulties in R&D, low output, high added value and high technical barriers, and is currently in short supply in face of strong demand in the market. Besides, technologies applied in producing synthetic mica are of great importance for manufacturers to have a place in the high-end market.As one of the few manufacturers with core technologies and capacity to produce high-end products, Global New Material is at the forefront of emerging technologies in the industry, possesses three patented technologies applied in producing synthetic mica, and has its core technologies and corporate strength being widely recognized in the industry.In 2020, the market size of the Chinese synthetic mica-based pearlescent materials market reached RMB770 million, and in terms of the value corresponding to market share, top five players in the Chinese synthetic mica-based pearlescent materials market occupied a total market share of 43.3%. Among those top five players, Global New Material ranked first with a market share of 25.4%.Global New Material has outstanding R&D advantages and highly-recognized R&D capabilitiesThe pearlescent material industry is a technology-intensive industry. Different technologies are required for production of pearlescent materials to meet the needs of different downstream industries. The competitiveness of a pearlescent material manufacturer in the increasingly competitive market depends on its strong R&D capabilities. Global New Material possesses industry-leading R&D capabilities, and has won many awards and titles such as "National Intellectual Property Powerful Enterprise".Global New Material has 12 registered patents and 26 patent applications, and has 40 R&D workers. The prospectus points out that in the past three years, R&D expenditures of Global New Material were RMB10.7 million, RMB23.2 million and RMB29.3 million respectively, which accounted for 3.4%, 5.3% and 5.1% of its total revenue, and that in the future, approximately 5% of its total revenue will be invested in its R&D activities each year.Global New Material has significant advantages in business scale, and occupies a dominant position in the industryWith respect to production and marketing of pearlescent materials, huge investments are required in R&D, production sites, precision manufacturing equipment, introduction and training of R&D workers and technicians, market promotion, import and storage of raw materials, daily capital turnover and other aspects, and a long R&D and construction cycle is involved during which huge preliminary capital investments and a large amount of working capital need to be in place. Therefore, adequate operating capital and extensive accumulated R&D technologies are the key factors for success in the pearlescent material industry.In the pearlescent material market which is fragmented, Global New Material, as the largest synthetic mica manufacturer in China, occupies a big market share and the dominant position, and has certain advantages in terms of financial support, technologies, patents and customer relationships.Summary:Global New Material's EPS in 2021 is HKD0.2342, and its price-to-earnings ratio is expected to be about 15X assuming the IPO price is HKD3.52. It is a cost-effective opportunity for investors in the secondary market to buy stock in a leading company in a market segment in the field of new materials that is innovative and has growth potential, profitability, strong R&D capabilities, core technologies and sustainable competitive advantages.Contact:Haolu Wang, PeanutmediaE: wanghaolu@czgmcn.comURL: www.Peanutmedia.com Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
TSUKUBA, Japan, Jun 29, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - A new device harvests two types of energy during the daytime, making it cool on one end and hot on the other, to generate electricity around the clock. With further improvements, the device could be used in off-grid Internet-of-things sensors. The details were published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.Thermal emission is radiated from the top of the device, keeping it cool, while sunlight is absorbed at the bottom, keeping that part warm. The temperature gradient and types of materials used lead to the generation of a spin current that is converted to thermoelectric voltage.Scientists have known for at least 200 years that electricity can be generated from a temperature gradient, a phenomenon called thermoelectric generation. Recently, researchers have developed thermoelectric conversion technologies by changing material parameters and introducing new principles. For example, researchers have found that magnetic materials can generate thermoelectric voltage by inducing a flow of electron spins along a temperature gradient, called the spin Seebeck effect, and that increasing a device's length perpendicular to the gradient boosts voltage. Scientists would like to fabricate more efficient, thin thermoelectric devices based on the spin Seebeck effect. However, the thinner the device, the more difficult it is to maintain a temperature gradient between its top and bottom.Satoshi Ishii and Ken-ichi Uchida of Japan's National Institute for Materials Science and colleagues have solved this problem by making a device with magnetic layers that continuously cools at the top and absorbs heat from the sun at the bottom. In this way, the device harvests two types of energy. Radiative cooling occurs at the top, as heat is lost from a material in the form of infrared radiation, while solar radiation is absorbed at the bottom."It is really important to take full advantage of renewable energy in order to achieve a more sustainable society," explains Ishii. "Daytime radiative cooling and solar heating have both been used to improve a variety of thermoelectric applications. Our device uses both types of energy simultaneously to generate a thermoelectric voltage."Here's how it works:The device has four layers. The top layer is a weak paramagnet made of gadolinium gallium garnet. This layer is transparent to sunlight and emits thermal radiation to the universe, getting cooler. Sunlight passes through to the following ferrimagnetic layer made of yttrium iron garnet. This layer is also transparent, so light continues to travel down into the bottom two light-absorbing layers, made of paramagnetic platinum and blackbody paint. The bottom section stays warm due to sunlight absorption. The spin current is generated in the ferromagnetic layer owing to the temperature gradient between the top and bottom of the device and is converted to electric voltage in the paramagnetic platinum layer.The device works best on clear days, as clouds reduce the achievable temperature gradient by blocking the emitted infrared radiation from passing through the atmosphere and reducing the solar heating.While promising, the device's thermoelectric generation efficiency was still quite low. The team plans to boost its efficiency by improving the design, experimenting with different material combinations, and developing even more novel strategies for thermoelectric generation.Further informationSatoshi IshiiNational Institute for Materials ScienceEmail: sishii@nims.go.jpKen-ichi UchidaNational Institute for Materials ScienceEmail: UCHIDA.Kenichi@nims.go.jp About Science and Technology of Advanced Materials JournalOpen access journal STAM publishes outstanding research articles across all aspects of materials science, including functional and structural materials, theoretical analyses, and properties of materials. Website: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tsta20/currentDr. Yoshikazu ShinoharaSTAM Publishing DirectorEmail: SHINOHARA.Yoshikazu@nims.go.jpPress release distributed by ResearchSEA for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
TOKYO, Jun 28, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004) has developed "WelQuick(TM)," a film-type binding material to bond dissimilar materials together, such as bonding between resins and metals, with excellent quickness and strength. SDK has already started to provide potential customers with samples of WelQuick.Comparison of WelQuick(TM) bonding method and conventional bonding methodIn recent years, manufacturing industry's requirements for materials such as lightness, heat-resistance and strength have been advanced so much that almost no single material can meet such sophisticated needs. Therefore, there has been a progress in introduction of composite structure into components, in which dissimilar materials such as resins and metals are bound together. This movement is called "multi-materialization." There are many methods to bond dissimilar materials, such as bonding with liquid adhesives or hot-melt adhesives, and mechanical fastening with bolts. Though manufacturers demand simple, easy and timesaving bonding process while securing enough adhesive strength. However, simultaneous achievement of simplicity and adhesiveness has been difficult.WelQuick, which has been developed by SDK, is a film-type adhesive component, and eliminates the process to apply liquid components which was necessary process for reactive adhesives. Therefore, WelQuick is easy to handle, and shortens bonding time to a few seconds by utilizing the phase change[1] between solid and liquid, while bonding with conventional adhesives takes dozens of minutes.WelQuick can bond resins and metals. The former includes polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate and nylon, while the latter includes aluminum, iron and copper. SDK has confirmed that WelQuick can achieve shear adhesive strength[2] of more than 10MPa[3] with more than 40 combinations of base materials. Moreover, our customers can choose welding method suitable for their needs from wide variety of welding methods including ultrasonic welding which realizes high-speed welding, electromagnetic induction welding which is suitable for metals, and heat welding which is suitable for various materials. Furthermore, films of WelQuick can be stored at room temperature for long periods. WelQuick does not produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when welded. Thus WelQuick lowers the burden on the environment.On the basis of these strong points, WelQuick can contribute to customers' cost reduction and reduction of CO2 emission through improvement in efficiency of production processes.The Showa Denko Group has wide-ranging technologies and materials concerning inorganics, organics and aluminum. By fusing these technologies into one, the Group will provide various business fields, where multi-materialization is in progress, with new solutions, and aim to maximize the value of Customers' Experience.For further detail of WelQuick technology, please refer to the following URL.https://www.sdk.co.jp/innovation/english/points/welquick.htmlFor data on the properties of WelQuick, please refer to the following URL.https://www.sdk.co.jp/innovation/english/download/welquick/leaflet/input.htmlComparison of WelQuick bonding method and conventional bonding methodhttps://www.sdk.co.jp/assets/images/english/news/2021/20210628_3_e.jpg[1] Phase change: Changes in the state of material (gas, liquid and solid) caused by changes in temperature and pressure. WelQuick(TM) technology utilizes liquefaction of solid and solidification of liquid.[2] Shear adhesive strength: Adhesive strength that acts on the surfaces of adhered materials parallel to adhered surfaces when the base materials are pulled to opposite directions to slide laterally.[3] MPa (Mega Pascal): The SI unit of pressure. If the two sample materials show shear adhesive strength of 10MPa, one square centimeter of adhered surface requires forces of about 100kg to be peeled off.About Showa Denko K.K.Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004, ADR:SHWDY) is a major manufacturer of chemical products serving from heavy industry to computers and electronics. The Petrochemicals Sector provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene, the Chemicals Sector provides industrial, high-performance and high-purity gases and chemicals for semicon and other industries, the Inorganics Sector provides ceramic products, such as alumina, abrasives, refractory/graphite electrodes and fine carbon products. The Aluminum Sector provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum, the Electronics Sector provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high bright LEDs, and rare earth magnetic alloys, and the Advanced Battery Materials Department (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp/english/.Media contact:Showa Denko K.K., CSR & Corporate Communication Office, Tel: +81-3-5470-3235 Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
TSUKUBA, Japan, May 15, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Scientists are getting better at making neurone-like junctions for computers that mimic the human brain's random information processing, storage and recall. Fei Zhuge of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and colleagues reviewed the latest developments in the design of these 'memristors' for the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.Researchers are developing computer hardware for artificial intelligence that allows for more random and simultaneous information transfer and storage, much like the human brain.Computers apply artificial intelligence programs to recall previously learned information and make predictions. These programs are extremely energy- and time-intensive: typically, vast volumes of data must be transferred between separate memory and processing units. To solve this issue, researchers have been developing computer hardware that allows for more random and simultaneous information transfer and storage, much like the human brain.Electronic circuits in these 'neuromorphic' computers include memristors that resemble the junctions between neurones called synapses. Energy flows through a material from one electrode to another, much like a neurone firing a signal across the synapse to the next neurone. Scientists are now finding ways to better tune this intermediate material so the information flow is more stable and reliable."Oxides are the most widely used materials in memristors," says Zhuge. "But oxide memristors have unsatisfactory stability and reliability. Oxide-based hybrid structures can effectively improve this."Memristors are usually made of an oxide-based material sandwiched between two electrodes. Researchers are getting better results when they combine two or more layers of different oxide-based materials between the electrodes. When an electrical current flows through the network, it induces ions to drift within the layers. The ions' movements ultimately change the memristor's resistance, which is necessary to send or stop a signal through the junction.Memristors can be tuned further by changing the compounds used for electrodes or by adjusting the intermediate oxide-based materials. Zhuge and his team are currently developing optoelectronic neuromorphic computers based on optically-controlled oxide memristors. Compared to electronic memristors, photonic ones are expected to have higher operation speeds and lower energy consumption. They could be used to construct next generation artificial visual systems with high computing efficiency.Further informationFei Zhuge Chinese Academy of SciencesEmail: zhugefei@nimte.ac.cnAbout Science and Technology of Advanced Materials JournalOpen access journal STAM publishes outstanding research articles across all aspects of materials science, including functional and structural materials, theoretical analyses, and properties of materials.Dr. Yoshikazu ShinoharaSTAM Publishing DirectorEmail: SHINOHARA.Yoshikazu@nims.go.jpPress release distributed by ResearchSEA for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
Tsukuba, Japan, Apr 16, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Scientists in Europe have designed an organic dye-based device that can see light waves in the shortwave infrared (SWIR) range. The device is easy to make using cheap materials, and is stable at high temperatures. The findings, published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, could lead to more widespread use of inexpensive consumer SWIR imaging and sensing devices.In the upconversion device, shortwave infrared (SWIR) light with wavelengths beyond 1,000 nm is absorbed by the squaraine dye in the photodetector (PD), producing electrical charges. Charges flow into the organic light-emitting diode (OLED), where they recombine under the emission of visible light. This way, SWIR light, which cannot be detected by the human eye, is converted into visible light.The human eye can only detect a very narrow segment of the electromagnetic spectrum, from around 400 to 700 nanometers. The SWIR region, on the other hand, extends from 1,000 to 2,500 nanometers. Specially designed cameras can take images of objects that reflect waves in the SWIR region. They are used for improving night vision, in airborne remote sensing, and deep tissue imaging. The cameras also help assess the composition and quality of silicon wafers, building structures and even food produce."These cameras are typically difficult to manufacture and are quite expensive, as they are made of inorganic semiconductor photodiode arrays interconnected with read-out integrated circuitry," says Roland Hany of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology.Hany worked with colleagues in Switzerland and Italy to design an organic dye-based 'SWIR upconversion device' that efficiently converts shortwave infrared light to visible light.The device uses organic (materials made with carbon) components: a squaraine dye-coated flexible substrate combined with a fluorescent organic light-emitting diode (OLED). When the dye absorbs SWIR waves, an electric current is generated and directly converted into a visible image by the OLED.The team had to play with the molecular composition of several squaraine dyes to get them to absorb specific wavelengths. Ultimately, they synthesized squaraine dyes that absorb SWIR light beyond 1,200 nanometers and remained stable up to 200 degrees Celsius. The finished dye-based device performed stably for several weeks under normal laboratory conditions."All-organic upconverters could lead to applications that can't be realized with current technology. For example, invisible night vision devices can be directly integrated into car windscreens without affecting the visual field," explains Hany.The team is now working on shifting the dye's absorption further into the SWIR range. They are also using machine learning techniques to find new dye molecules capable of sensing SWIR waves. Finally, the team aims to improve device stability and sensitivity.Further informationRoland HanyEmpa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and TechnologyEmail: roland.hany@empa.chAbout Science and Technology of Advanced Materials JournalOpen access journal STAM publishes outstanding research articles across all aspects of materials science, including functional and structural materials, theoretical analyses, and properties of materials.Dr. Yoshikazu ShinoharaSTAM Publishing DirectorEmail: SHINOHARA.Yoshikazu@nims.go.jpPress release distributed by ResearchSEA for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
TOKYO, Apr 2, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Kohei Morikawa, President and CEO of Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004), sent a message to welcome the company's newly-hired employees at the entrance ceremony 2021.Kohei Morikawa, President and CEO- Changing society through the power of chemistry -The Showa Denko Group has taken a new step in integrating the former Hitachi Chemical (currently Showa Denko Materials) as a member. It's a transformative, once-in-a-century change. In our long-term vision announced last December, we stated that our mission as a newly integrated company was to improve society with the power of chemistry. To achieve this, we are aiming to become a company that competes in the global market, evolving as an advanced materials partner to create functions required of the times and contributing to sustainable development in a global society. 2021 is the year in which we embark on this road together.- Transforming changes into evolution -I would like to convey the following points to the new employees welcomed today.1. ThinkAs new employees, you will be aware of yourselves and what the company needs. But you should also be aware of what the world needs, and what should be. This is called 'backcasting', thinking from a viewpoint of what's missing. Unlike schoolwork, there are often several right answers, and those right answers change with the times. Keep an open perspective, stay up to date with your information, and don't lose your sensitivity.2. AchievePut the goals you have set for yourselves into words, then be sure to achieve them. Saying what you want to do prepares you to take responsibility. I want you to tackle your work with determination and responsibility, even when difficulties arise. This 'unyielding' spirit is in Showa Denko's DNA.3. ExperienceEnjoy experiencing great change. In line with the SDK's long-term vision, I want you to share our ambition to become a world-class leader and chemical manufacturer. We have the ticket to achieve this ambition. It is up to each and every one of you to turn change into evolution.About Showa Denko K.K.Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE: 4004, ADR: SHWDY) is a major manufacturer of chemical products serving heavy industry to computers and electronics. Our Petrochemicals segment provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene; Chemicals provides high-performance gases and chemicals to semicon and other industries; Inorganics provides ceramic products: alumina, abrasives, refractory/graphite electrodes and fine carbons. Aluminum provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum; Electronics provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high-bright LEDs and rare earth magnetic alloys; Advanced Battery Materials (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. Please visit us at www.sdk.co.jp/english/.Media contact:Showa Denko K.K., CSR & Corporate Communication Office, Tel: +81-3-5470-3235 Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
Tsukuba, Japan, Mar 30, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - A study published in the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials summarizes the major achievements made to-date in Heusler alloy research. "Our review article can serve as an ideal reference for researchers in magnetic materials," says Atsufumi Hirohata of the University of York, UK, who specializes in spintronics.Spin 'batteries' use electron spins, instead of their charge, to power spintronic devices.Spintronics, also known as spin electronics, is a field of applied physics that studies the use of electron spins, instead of their charge, to carry information in solid-state devices, with reduction in power consumption and improvements in memory and processing capabilities.A category of materials showing great promise in this area is Heusler alloys: materials formed of one or two parts metal X, one part metal Y, and one part metal Z, each coming from a distinct part of the periodic table of elements. The interesting thing about these alloys is that individually, the metals are not magnetic, but when combined, they become magnetic.A major advantage of Heusler alloys for spintronic devices is the ability to control their unique electrical and magnetic properties, which result directly from electron spins, by making changes to their crystalline structures. But this requires very high temperatures, which researchers want to reduce.Over the last few decades, scientists have been working on approaches to grow Heusler alloy films at room temperature on special substrates with crystal lattices that are similar to the alloy's. The interaction between the two lattices can lead to the development of half-metallicity in the Heusler alloy, where only electrons spinning in one orientation are conducted through the material whereas those spinning in another are not.Researchers need to be able to measure the properties of materials in order to conduct their investigations. The atomic structure of Heusler alloys can be directly observed by X-ray diffraction and indirectly measured through examining the relationship between the material's resistance to an electric current and temperature changes. Other techniques are also available for measuring their magnetic properties.Hirohata and his colleagues are currently working on fabricating a metallic magnetic junction made of Heusler alloy films. These junctions are made from two ferromagnets separated by a thin insulator. When the insulating layer is thin enough, electrons are able to tunnel from one ferromagnet to the other. There is low resistance to electron movement as long as an external magnetic field is applied, but as soon as it is removed, the material becomes highly resistant to electron movement. "These devices are expected to replace currently used memory cells and magnetic sensors," says Hirohata. The team hopes to develop metallic magnetic junctions with much larger magnetoresistance than the current record at room temperature, realising a next-generation memory for a sustainable society.Research paper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14686996.2020.1812364Further informationAtsufumi HirohataUniversity of YorkEmail: atsufumi.hirohata@york.ac.ukAbout Science and Technology of Advanced Materials JournalOpen access journal STAM publishes outstanding research articles across all aspects of materials science, including functional and structural materials, theoretical analyses, and properties of materials.Chikashi NishimuraSTAM Publishing DirectorEmail: NISHIMURA.Chikashi@nims.go.jpPress release distributed by ResearchSEA for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
TOKYO, Feb 17, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Showa Denko (SDK; TSE:4004) today announced its 2020 Consolidated Financial Results.- 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements and summaryhttps://www.sdk.co.jp/assets/files/english/ir/library/fss2020-4q.pdfAbout Showa Denko K.K.Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE: 4004, ADR: SHWDY) is a major manufacturer of chemical products serving heavy industry to computers and electronics. Our Petrochemicals segment provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene; Chemicals provides high-performance gases and chemicals to semicon and other industries; Inorganics provides ceramic products: alumina, abrasives, refractory/graphite electrodes and fine carbons. Aluminum provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum; Electronics provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high-bright LEDs and rare earth magnetic alloys; Advanced Battery Materials (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. Please visit us at www.sdk.co.jp/english/.For further information, contact:Showa Denko K.K., IR Office, Finance & Accounting Department, Tel: 81-3-5470-3323 Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
Tsukuba, Japan, Jan 26, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Melanin-like compounds can be precisely designed and arranged to colour materials using a mechanism similar to that found in a peacock's feathers. Chemist Michinari Kohri of Chiba University in Japan reviewed the latest research on these 'melanin-mimetic materials' and their potential applications for the journal Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.Scientists are developing materials inspired by the structural colours in a peacock's feathers. (Credit: Takashi Tsujino)Melanin and melanin-like compounds absorb some of the light that is scattered from the microstructures within materials. Scientists are finding ways to control this phenomenon to give a variety of iridescent and non-iridescent colours. (Credit: Michinari Kohri)Melanin is a dark pigment that gives hair and skin its colour. It is also essential for the bright colours we see in some organisms. When light interacts with the structures of feathers, wings and shells of many organisms, like peacocks, butterflies and jewel beetles, it is scattered, appearing white. But when melanin is interspersed within these structures, some of the scattered light is absorbed, producing various colours. Scientists are looking for ways to mimic these so-called 'structural colour' changes of living organisms in synthetic materials."Vivid structural colours can be obtained by constructing microstructures containing a light-absorbing black material made of natural or artificial melanin," says Kohri. "Research in this area is progressing rapidly worldwide."A leading contender is a compound called polydopamine. It is made of a material naturally found in the body, so it is biocompatible. It is also dark, so it absorbs light like melanin. Scientists found they could control polydopamine's iridescence - how much the colour changes as the angle of light hitting it shifts, similar to a peacock's feather. They achieved this by altering the particle size or by adding compounds that react to a magnetic field.Scientists are also investigating particles formed of a polystyrene core and a polydopamine shell. Changing the diameter of the inner core, for example, leads to different colours. Making the polydopamine shell thicker causes the particles to be less closely packed, leading to non-iridescent structural colour, which remains the same regardless of the light angle.Scientists have also toyed with controlling colour and angle-dependence by changing the shapes of polystyrene/polydopamine particles, making them hollow on the inside, and adding multiple coatings to the external shell.Polydopamine particles are showing potential for a variety of applications. For example, they can be used as inks to dye fabrics or in cosmetics. They could help prove a product is real versus counterfeit by shifting colour with strong light, wetting, or temperature changes. Finally, scientists have found that adding these particles to rubber causes it to change colour when stretched or relaxed, which could be useful for sensing local stress and strain in bridges.Further informationMichinari Kohri Chiba UniversityEmail: kohri@faculty.chiba-u.jpAbout Science and Technology of Advanced Materials JournalOpen access journal STAM publishes outstanding research articles across all aspects of materials science, including functional and structural materials, theoretical analyses, and properties of materials.Chikashi NishimuraSTAM Publishing DirectorNISHIMURA.Chikashi@nims.go.jpPress release distributed by ResearchSEA for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
The scientists measured the plastic deformation that happened when a tiny probe exerted force on the micropillar specimens with various loading axis orientations."Our results demonstrate the cutting edge of research into plastic deformation behaviour in crystalline materials," says Kyosuke Kishida, the study's corresponding author. Plastic deformation describes the distortion that occurs at the atomic level when a sustained force is applied to a crystal. It is difficult to measure in complex crystals. Kishida and his colleagues have been using a new approach to systematically measure plastic deformation in crystals showing promise for use in high temperature gas turbines.In this study, they measured plastic deformation in a niobium silicide called alpha-Nb5Si3. Tiny 'micropillars' of these crystals were exposed to very small amounts of stress using a machine with a flat-punch indenter at its end. The stress was applied to different faces of the sample to determine where and how plastic deformation occurs within the crystal. By using scanning electron microscopy on the samples before and after the test, they were able to detect the planes and directions in which deformation occurred. This was followed by simulation studies based on theoretical calculations to further understand what was happening at the atomic level. Finally, the team compared the results with those of a boron-containing molybdenum silicide (Mo5SiB2) they had previously examined."We found that instantaneous failure occurs rather easily in alpha-Nb5Si3, which is in marked contrast to Mo5SiB2," says Kishida. This could mean alpha-Nb5Si3 is at a disadvantage compared to Mo5SiB2 for use as a strengthening component in metal-based alloys. Kishida and his team think, however, that this material's inherent brittleness could be improved by adding other alloying elements.The team plans to use the approach to study mechanical properties of other crystalline materials with complex structures. Further informationProfessor Kyosuke KishidaKyoto University kishida.kyosuke.6w@kyoto-u.ac.jpPaper: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14686996.2020.1855065About Science and Technology of Advanced Materials JournalOpen access journal STAM publishes outstanding research articles across all aspects of materials science, including functional and structural materials, theoretical analyses, and properties of materials. Shunichi HishitaSTAM Publishing DirectorHISHITA.Shunichi@nims.go.jpPress release distributed by ResearchSEA for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com
TOKYO, Jan 4, 2021 - (JCN Newswire) - Kohei Morikawa, President and CEO of Showa Denko ("SDK"; TSE:4004) announced the following New Year message.Kohei Morikawa, President and CEOI would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to everyone who contracted COVID-19 and the people who are in difficulties due to the spread of the disease. COVID-19 is having severe effect on the civic life and corporate activities, and the lives and working conditions of the people has been significantly changed due to the disease. On the other hand, production of hygienic commodities such as masks and antiseptic solutions and electronic devices including PCs and tablets, for which peoples demand increased due to the spread of teleworking, requires the chemical industry, and 2020 was the year in which people rediscovered that such chemical products are indispensable for their everyday life.Change society through the power of chemistryIn April 2020, Showa Denko received Showa Denko Materials Co., Ltd. (former Hitachi Chemical Company Ltd.) into the Showa Denko Group, and, since then, the two companies have been discussing the way to establish the basis of growth toward the future. In December 2020, the two companies announced "Long-term Vision for Newly Integrated Company," and defined the meaning of the existence of the newly integrated company (i.e., purpose) as "Change society through the power of chemistry." The newly integrated company will create functions required of the times as an advanced material partner, and it will aim to become "a company that has the ability to do battle in the global market" and "a company that contributes to a sustainable global society" as a global top-level functional chemical manufacturer.Transform changes into evolution and convert diversity into strength2021 is the final year of our medium-term business plan "The TOP 2021," which the Showa Denko Group launched with a view to make the Group a global top-level chemical company. 2021 is also a year of drastic changes including the substantive integration of Showa Denko and Showa Denko Materials in July, head office integration in October, and announcement of new medium-term business plan in December. Through acquisition of the new member, Showa Denko Materials, the Showa Denko Group have reached a stage from which we can aim to reach higher level. Let's transform changes into evolution, approve difference each other and convert diversity into strength, and accomplish our medium-term business plan "The TOP 2021" by showing our potential power.About Showa Denko K.K.Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004, ADR:SHWDY) is a major manufacturer of chemical products serving from heavy industry to computers and electronics. The Petrochemicals Sector provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene, the Chemicals Sector provides industrial, high-performance and high-purity gases and chemicals for semicon and other industries, the Inorganics Sector provides ceramic products, such as alumina, abrasives, refractory/graphite electrodes and fine carbon products. The Aluminum Sector provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum, the Electronics Sector provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high bright LEDs, and rare earth magnetic alloys, and the Advanced Battery Materials Department (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp/english/.Showa Denko K.K., CSR & Corporate Communication Office, Tel: 81-3-5470-3235 Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
TOKYO, Dec 10, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004) has formulated its future "Long-term Vision (2021-2030) for Newly Integrated Company" (Long-term Vision) following integration with Showa Denko Materials Co., Ltd. (Showa Denko Materials).Since making Showa Denko Materials a consolidated subsidiary on April 28 of this year, Showa Denko has been developing its Long-term Vision in order to integrate the two companies as soon as possible and establish a foundation for future growth.Showa Denko and Showa Denko Materials are committed to providing new functions and value as an integrated company (the Company) in the chemicals industry where intensification of global competition and changes in market structure are expected to go forward, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.1. Long-term Vision and synergy for Newly Integrated Company(1) Purpose and Ideal stateIn terms of purpose, the Newly Integrated Company will seek to "change society through the power of chemistry." This includes contributing to the sustainable development of global society by creating functions required of the times as an advanced material partner. In addition, the Company will strive to become a company with a "strong presence in the global market" and that "contributes to a sustainable global society," which are the two things the Company aims to achieve in terms of its Ideal state in order to fulfill its purpose.Currently, global demand for solutions to environmental and social issues and contributions to SDGs is driving the need for the renewal of various social infrastructure such as digital infrastructure, mobility and energy. In this context, expectations for innovation by materials manufacturers are growing.By integrating the two companies, the Showa Denko Group (the Group) will meet these societal demands and expectations of its customers head on. It will provide onestop solutions and new functions to its customers and contribute to a sustainable society as a whole as a "global top-level functional chemical manufacturer" that will realize a breakthrough by fusing Showa Denko's midstream materials technologies, Showa Denko Materials' downstream application technologies and both companies' evaluation and analysis technologies.(2) Portfolio managementTo realize its Ideal state, the Showa Denko Group will leverage its highly complementary business portfolio built through the integration of the two entities. It will continue to provide new functions to the market and realize continuous growth by having its four business categories - "Core Growth" business, "Next-Generation" business, "Stable Earnings" business and "Fundamental Technologies/Materials" business - each plays a different role with a competitive advantage commensurate with their respective roles."Core Growth" business - Electronics, MobilityBusiness that possesses overwhelming scale/top-share products in growing markets and which will sustain the Group's future growth"Next-Generation" business - Life ScienceBusiness in an advantageous position that can lead to future growth in promising markets, and that will be developed into a next-generation pillar"Stable Earnings" business - Carbon, Petrochemicals, Device Solutions, Industrial Gases, Basic Chemicals, Aluminum Rolled Products, Aluminum Cans, Coating Materials, Electronics Materials, EnergyBusiness which earns a stable profit and generates investment capital with competitiveness/high share in markets where competitive landscape is stabilizing"Fundamental Technologies/Materials" business - Ceramics, Functional Chemicals, Aluminum Specialty ComponentsTechnology platform business to support innovation of other businesses with a wide range of inorganics, organics and aluminum technologies that support the competitiveness of the other three business categoriesIn particular, by strengthening the competitiveness of each of the business categories with the wide range of technologies and materials offered by the "Fundamental Technologies/Materials" business, and by continuing to refine such technologies and materials across a variety of businesses, the Group will expand its presence in new and promising future markets.(3) "Core Growth"/"Next-Generation" businessesThe "Core Growth" and "Next-Generation" businesses will drive the Showa Denko Group's future growth. The Group will pursue business development with a good understanding of differences in market stages and our position in each business.Electronics:With the prospect of continuous technological innovation and market growth, the market is expected to remain fiercely competitive. However, the direction of technological development is set and rapid structural changes and new entries in the industry are less likely to occur. As the world's No. 1 semiconductor materials manufacturer[1], with sales of around 200 billion yen, the Showa Denko Group is in the top position, far ahead of all other players in terms of business scale, and offers a broad product portfolio that boasts global top-level competitiveness and share in both wafer and packaging processes. Through the integration of the two companies, the Group will meet the expectations of its customers and win in growth markets by continuing to develop cutting-edge products and provide one-stop solutions with its enhanced technological capabilities.Note 1: The Showa Denko Group statistics; does not include silicon wafersMobility:With both future areas of high certainty and areas of uncertainty co-existing in the changing marketplace, the Showa Denko Group envisages that competition for the top position by multiple materials manufacturers will continue. The Group will manage certainty and uncertainty with its portfolio of businesses, by leveraging global top share products and its product line-up enhanced through integration, such as businesses that capture the highly certain trend of vehicle weight reduction against the backdrop of greenhouse gas reduction (multi-materials/resin molded automotive module business), businesses that capture the shift to electrification which is a trend that ranks alongside weight reduction (heat management materials packages business for Si power devices), and among the shift, businesses that seek to prepare for uncertainty of outlook for penetration of each powertrain which is driven by national policies in each country (LiB materials business, heat management materials packages business that maximizes performance of SiC power module) etc.Life Science (Regenerative Medicine):While the market is expected to grow significantly in the future, there is a wide range of views when it comes to expansion timelines and segments, and there are still a limited number of players in the market. Amid this, the Showa Denko Group will not only pursue growth by leveraging its first-mover advantage, including its global top-class contracting track record and know-how, global production structure that includes three sites in Europe, Asia and North America and was established ahead of other players, and development of pioneering manufacturing technology aimed at cost innovation, it will also build a medium-to-long-term competitive advantage by swiftly capturing future changes in the market.Among "Core Growth" and "Next-Generation" businesses, the Showa Denko Group has positioned the following five businesses as "growth businesses" that will drive the Group's growth over the medium to long term.- Electronics: Semiconductor wafer process business, semiconductor packaging process business- Mobility: Multi materials/resin molded automotive module business, heat management (power module) business- Life Science: Regenerative medicine businessCumulative sales for the above five growth businesses totaled approximately 230 billion yen in 2020, and the Group will seek to expand business scale to 600 billion yen by 2030 while achieving CAGR of 10% through innovations including technological synergies. In addition, it will generate an additional 18 billion and 48 billion yen in operating income in 2025 and 2030, respectively, through innovations that includes synergies across these five businesses.(4) Technology fusion through integrationAs a hybrid advanced material company combining midstream materials technology and downstream application technology, the Showa Denko Group will realize innovations centered on its growth businesses by integrating the technologies of both companies after integration. In addition to strengthening and creating businesses through the ongoing provision of a wide range of functions to the market through the fusion of three chemical technologies, namely "chemistry to synthesize," which encompasses Showa Denko's midstream materials, "chemistry to formulate," which constitutes Showa Denko Materials' downstream applications, and "chemistry to think," which includes both companies' evaluation/simulation technologies, structure analysis and computational science, the Group will continue to enhance its technology through its businesses, and with this virtuous cycle achieve self-directed portfolio reform and sustained high growth.In order to increase earnings, with a focus on the five growth businesses mentioned above, the Showa Denko Group will work to realize synergies through the integration of products and technologies of the two companies, as exemplified by the following examples, and achieve business growth rates that exceed market growth in each business.Semiconductor wafer process business: With performance of semiconductors becoming faster and higher than ever before, there is a need for technological innovation in semiconductor materials. While players such as GAFA have started to approach material manufacturers as they seek to manufacture key devices in-house, indicating that the growing importance of materials-related innovation, achieving breakthroughs in materials technology is becoming increasingly difficult each year. In this context, the Showa Denko Group will continue to meet the needs of its customers by breaking through technology trade-offs through the combination of technologies of both companies. For example, in the case of CMP slurry, a material used for smoothing and flattening semiconductor substrates in the semiconductor device manufacturing process, the Group is developing a next-generation product that combines a high removal rate and scratch reduction by utilizing Showa Denko's abrasive technology for Showa Denko Materials' "ultra-low-scratch Nano-ceria Slurry."Semiconductor packaging process business: As a result of trends such as the adoption of 5G and laminates, two aspects of technological innovations are required simultaneously - functional sophistication of individual semiconductor-related materials, and new packaging configurations and processes. The Showa Denko Group will leverage its "Packaging Solution Center," which is highly regarded by semiconductor manufacturers, to provide new value to its customers by combining materials based on evaluation technology, and will undertake the development of cutting-edge, next-generation products that combine technologies from both companies. For example, when it comes to laminate materials, the Group will develop next-generation products that combine Showa Denko Materials' copper clad laminates with Showa Denko's resin design technology and filler technology.Heat management (power module) business: With a shift to electronic control of vehicles, it is expected that new heat control challenges will occur and partial outsourcing by power module manufacturers will begin. The Showa Denko Group will address the technological challenges and needs of its customers by expanding its lineup of heat management materials and combining materials leveraging analysis and module evaluation technologies. Going forward, the Group will also consider promoting heat management materials packages that draw out the potential of SiC by leveraging SiC epitaxial wafer business.(5) Contribution to SDGsThe Showa Denko Group has established and follows Our Code of Conduct, which defines what each and every employee should do for the sustainable development of the international community and the Group itself. In addition, the Group will pursue business activities in accordance with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will contribute to SDGs through various technologies and businesses, and further strengthen ESG efforts.Examples of post-integration contribution to SDGs through various technologies and businesses:- Optimize electric-power/resource consumption by offering next-generation semiconductor materials etc.- Increase resources efficiently/reduce greenhouse gases through chemical recycling of used plastics- Contribute to CO2-free energy creation through hydropower generation- Promote effective use of iron resources by supplying graphite electrodes for electric furnaces- Reduce greenhouse gases through mobility weight reduction/electrification- Improve QOL through Life Science business2. Long-term numerical targets(1) Thinking behind long-term numerical targetsShowa Denko's business philosophy aims to enhance value provided by the Group with the aim of satisfying all stakeholders, such as employees who drive value creation, shareholders, customers, and business partners.Showa Denko Group Business Philosophy"We at the Showa Denko Group will provide products and services that are useful and safe and exceed our customers' expectations, thereby enhancing the value of theGroup, giving satisfaction to our shareholders, and contributing to the sound growth of international society as a responsible corporate citizen."In creating its Long-term Vision, Showa Denko has set Total Shareholders Return (TSR), which is a comprehensive indicator of corporate value enhancement, EBITDA margin, net D/E ratio, and other indicators as long-term numerical targets for the newly integrated company, and is committed to their achievement.(2) Long-term numerical targetsPlease see www.sdk.co.jp/assets/files/english/news/2020/20201210_sdknewsrelease_e.pdf(3) Profit improvement drivers through 2025Although Showa Denko anticipates 2020 EBITDA margin of 8% (which it is on track to achieve; on an annualized basis), from 2021 onwards, the company will raise EBITDA margin to 15% by 2025 through business growth centered on Electronics and Mobility, aforementioned innovation initiatives, and structural reforms. In addition to these efforts, it aims to achieve EBITDA margin of 20% that factors in recovery from the impact of COVID-19 and market fluctuations. Even if market conditions deviate from expectations, the company will recover through business restructuring and additional structural reforms to achieve EBITDA margin of 20%.(4) Shareholder return policyIn regards to distribution of cash generated through future business growth, the Showa Denko Group will factor in the situation after integration, and for the time being, strive to pay out dividend as stably as possible, while prioritizing growth investment for profit growth and bringing net D/E ratio close to 1.0 times. In addition, the company will aim for total return ratio of 30% over the medium to long term.(5) Thinking behind compensation systemTo ensure that the Showa Denko Group's management team is committed to collectively achieving Group objectives and enhancing corporate value, Showa Denko intends to link a portion of executive compensation to management indicators. Although specific indicators and weighting for each item are under consideration, the company anticipates linking compensation to KPIs such as TSR, EBITDA margin, ROE and net D/E ratio.3. Short-term synergyIn order to realize continuous growth of the Showa Denko Group, it is important for the Group to carefully select its business portfolio and maximize organizational productivity.As part of these efforts, the company will steadily restructure its business portfolio, improve profit structure, streamline assets, and fully integrate organizations over the short-to-medium term between now and 2023.(1) Business portfolio restructuringAs part of business portfolio restructuring, Showa Denko is considering and negotiating the sell-off of multiple business. In terms of sale price, it envisages theequivalent of 200 billion yen on an enterprise value basis.(2) Profit structure improvement initiatives and asset streamlining1) Profit structure improvement initiativesAs profit structure-related synergies arising from integration of the two companies, Showa Denko Group is considering a series of six key initiatives, including reducing procurement and logistics costs, improving productivity, and reducing operational headcount by about 1,500 employees, in addition to improving sales-related profit, with the aim to achieve an impact of 28 billion yen on the current profit structure by the end of 2023.Sales-related profit improvement (Review sales policy for customers/agents, etc.) Approx. 3 bil. yenProcurement/logistics cost reduction (Consolidate common materials/logistics-related suppliers) Approx. 3 bil. yenProductivity improvement (Improve productivity of production lines) Approx. 2 bil. yenRent reduction (Reduce rent by consolidating head offices) Approx. 1 bil. yenReduction of other costs (Reduce common costs, SG&A, etc.) Approx. 7 bil. yenOperational optimization (Carry out structural reforms through organizational integration and operational efficiency improvement) Approx. 12 bil. yenShowa Denko will achieve a cumulative impact by also steadily implementing initiatives such as increasing profit through new product development and crossselling as well as the consolidation of operation sites, which have not been incorporated into the above initiatives.2) Asset streamliningAs part of initiatives toward greater financial health aimed as recovery from the impact of the deteriorating economic environment, Showa Denko is steadily streamlining assets, and forecasts 50 billion yen for immediate countermeasures through 2021. At the same time, the company also intend to consider additional initiatives over the medium to long term.Reduction of working capital (Compress inventory through supply chain improvement, etc.) Approx. 25 bil. yenSell-off of marketable securities (Sell off cross-shareholdings) Approx. 20 bil. yenSell-off of other assets (Sell off shares of affiliates and excess assets) Approx. 5 bil. yen(3) Organizational/business integration and restructuringShowa Denko will integrate and restructure its own businesses as well as Showa Denko Materials' businesses, based on the respective strategic business positioning of the above-described Core Growth, Next-Generation, Stable Earnings, and Fundamental Technologies/Materials businesses.- Core Growth: Electronics, Mobility- Next-Generation: Life Science- Stable Earnings: Carbon, Petrochemicals, Device Solutions, Energy, etc.- Fundamental Technologies/Materials: Functional MaterialsIn addition, the Showa Denko Group is leveraging its global research and development hub "Stage for Fusion" (Kanagawa Ward, Yokohama City), construction to be completed in spring of 2022, to conduct a joint initiative between head office functions aimed at creating and promoting new ESG-oriented research and development themes by fusing diverse technological specialties of both companies.The Showa Denko Group is making steady progress on PMI toward integration, with the milestone of integration as a corporate entity in January 2023, following substantive integration in July 2021 (unification of chain of command/integration of corporate functions) and integration of head offices in October of the same year.Long-term Vision for Newly Integrated Company (2021-2030)https://bit.ly/39Z6tHgAbout Showa Denko K.K.Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; TSE:4004, ADR:SHWDY) is a major manufacturer of chemical products serving from heavy industry to computers and electronics. The Petrochemicals Sector provides cracker products such as ethylene and propylene, the Chemicals Sector provides industrial, high-performance and high-purity gases and chemicals for semicon and other industries, the Inorganics Sector provides ceramic products, such as alumina, abrasives, refractory/graphite electrodes and fine carbon products. The Aluminum Sector provides aluminum materials and high-value-added fabricated aluminum, the Electronics Sector provides HD media, compound semiconductors such as ultra high bright LEDs, and rare earth magnetic alloys, and the Advanced Battery Materials Department (ABM) provides lithium-ion battery components. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp/english/.Contact:Showa Denko K.K., CSR & Corporate Communication Office, Tel: 81-3-5470-3235 Copyright 2020 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com
TOKYO, Nov 30, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has completed a capital investment in Monolith Materials, Inc. (Monolith), a U.S. company with innovative technology enabling the production of hydrogen and carbon black from methane, which is abundant in natural gas, by the process of methane pyrolysis. The investment has been executed through Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc., MHI's base of regional operations in the U.S. Monolith Materials is the first U.S. manufacturer to produce a clean, industry-transforming hydrogen known as "turquoise hydrogen"(1) on a commercial scale.By investing in Monolith, MHI Group looks to strengthen and diversify its hydrogen value chain - one of the key factors needed to reduce environmental impact and ensure the energy transition's success - through technologies that can produce turquoise hydrogen, which does not emit CO2 in its production process, as well as high-purity carbon black. Specifically, this investment advances the production and supply of hydrogen through plasma-based methane pyrolysis technology, which uses renewable energy as its heat source."As the importance of hydrogen to realizing a decarbonized society gains popularity, especially in Europe, the United States, and Japan, various clean hydrogen production technologies and supporting processes are required to make that vision a reality. Such technologies include the production of turquoise hydrogen derived by thermal decomposition of methane contained in natural gas, along with production of green hydrogen produced by water electrolysis technology using renewable energy, blue hydrogen derived from fossil fuels that do not emit CO2 and the supporting function of CCUS (carbon capture, utilization and storage). MHI Group is taking a proactive approach to creating and investing in technologies to meet this global demand."By solving the century-old problem of scaling methane pyrolysis to a commercial level, Monolith Materials has emerged as a leader in the manufacturing of emissions-free hydrogen," said Yoshihiro Shiraiwa, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc. "While we're evaluating a number of clean-energy development options, Monolith offers great promise. We're excited to be the first in a new wave of strategic investors supporting the development of their technology.""Successfully scaling Monolith's technology to serve a global marketplace will benefit from the kind of investment that we have from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries," said Rob Hanson, co-founder and CEO of Monolith Materials. "This relationship will be a model for evaluating future investment opportunities to make emissions-free hydrogen the standard around the world."Monolith Materials, which was founded in 2012, developed a process technology that converts natural gas into clean hydrogen and a solid carbon material called carbon black, a critical raw material in the automotive and industrial sectors. The company is currently in the operating stage of Olive Creek 1 (OC1), its first commercial-scale emissions-free production facility designed to produce approximately 14,000 metric tons of carbon black annually along with clean hydrogen. In addition to producing carbon black and clean hydrogen, the company recently announced its plans to produce emissions-free ammonia at a second phase production facility known as Olive Creek 2 (OC2) in Hallam, Nebraska.Combined, Monolith Materials' production of turquoise hydrogen, emissions-free ammonia and carbon black are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 1 million metric tons per year compared to traditional manufacturing processes.Through its capital investment in Monolith, MHI Group will enter the field of hydrogen production and supply supporting that company's pyrolysis technology which enables use of renewable energy as the heat source. MHI will explore technological innovations to promote decarbonization throughout the industrial sector, using the produced hydrogen not only in power generation systems, but also in fertilizer production facilities, steelworks, etc.Going forward, MHI will continue taking steps to contribute to the achievement of a decarbonized society and society's sustainable development, and through such activities it will proactively pursue its corporate growth.(1) To facilitate identification of the level of hydrogen's impact on the environment, it is becoming increasingly common around the world to denote the degree of environmental impact, such as CO2 emissions, in its production process using a color image. Green, turquoise, and blue are considered clean hydrogen.About Monolith MaterialsMonolith Materials is a next‐generation chemical and hydrogen company that uses renewable electricity as part of a proprietary process to convert conventional and renewable natural gas to carbon black and hydrogen in an environmentally advantaged manner. Monolith is backed by Azimuth Capital Management, Cornell Capital LLC, Imperative Ventures and Warburg Pincus. For more information on Monolith Materials visit www.monolithmaterials.com. Copyright 2020 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. www.jcnnewswire.com