Otsuka Chemical has started publishing "KATACHI Story column articles." Otsuka Chemical has provided "materials" in powder and liquid forms, among others, before they become components. From now on, we will continue to take on new challenges beyond our previous business scope by leveraging the power of materials and our core technologies. As part of this initiative, we have launched "KATACHI Business." This goes beyond mere material sales; by transforming materials into product groups like components, we aim to create new value. This new endeavor is called "KATACHI Business." In our "KATACHI Business," we provide comprehensive solutions aimed at solving customer challenges, not just material supply. First column: "What types of resin sheets are there? An explanation of easy-to-process materials and plastic sheets." In this commemorative first issue, we provide detailed information useful in manufacturing settings, from the basics of resin sheets to practical processing techniques. For more details, please visit our company's website's KATACHI Story through the related link.

Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd. has recently developed a new separation membrane device for the purification process in antibody drug manufacturing as a result of its alliance agreement with Toyobo Co., Ltd. By adopting this separation membrane device instead of the conventional column chromatography method, it is possible to reduce the number of steps in the purification process by one-fourth, contributing to increased productivity. Sample provision for pharmaceutical manufacturers and research institutions began at the end of April. Antibody drugs are pharmaceuticals that utilize antibodies with the property of binding to specific antigens. They can be designed to target and attack cells or molecules with antigens that cause diseases, offering high therapeutic effects and reduced side effects. The market is expected to expand at an annual rate of approximately 15% until 2030.

Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd. has recently jointly developed a virus removal membrane for the purification process in the manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals as a result of its alliance agreement with Toyobo Co., Ltd. By suppressing membrane clogging through Toyobo's unique membrane fabrication technology and our polymer technology, the permeation rate of the drug solution per unit time has increased to approximately twice that of Toyobo's conventional products. This has allowed us to reduce the processing time in the virus removal step to less than one-third, contributing to improved productivity. Starting at the end of April, we have begun providing samples to pharmaceutical manufacturers and research institutions.

Otsuka Chemical and its joint development partner U.M.I exhibited their jointly developed sheet material "Polysera" for the first time at the 15th Fine Processing EXPO, a specialized exhibition for micro and precision processing technology, held at Tokyo Big Sight for three days starting January 22, 2025. For detailed news, please check the "Related Links" below.

Otsuka Chemical co-exhibited with Toyama Film at the High-Performance Materials Week (Plastic Japan and Film Tech Japan) held at Makuhari Messe from October 29 (Tuesday) to 31 (Thursday), 2024. During the exhibition, we were interviewed by Editor-in-Chief Matsumoto of the comprehensive plastic media 'PlaBase'! For detailed news, please check the "Related Links" below.

We will be showcasing Polysera, jointly developed by Otsuka Chemical and U.M.I., for the first time at this exhibition. Polysera not only features excellent microfabrication capabilities, characteristic of POTICON board materials, but also possesses high dielectric strength, making it suitable for inspection jigs for electronic components such as semiconductors that require fine and precise processing. We invite you to stop by and see it!

We are pleased to announce a free webinar themed "The Cutting Edge of Resin 3D Printing Technology." Our speakers will include Professor Endo from Tokyo University of Science, Mr. Yamaguchi from GUTENBERG, and Mr. Inada from Otsuka Chemical. There will also be a Q&A session on the day of the event. In particular, Professor Endo's presentation will be an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest applications and challenges of resin 3D printer technology. This is a must-see for anyone interested in resin 3D printing technology. We sincerely look forward to your participation.

Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd. will co-host a webinar with Toyama Film on the theme of "Future Trends in In-Vehicle and Mobile Displays." We will organize the requirements and corresponding technologies needed for mobile displays based on examples glimpsed from events such as exhibitions and conferences held around the world, and look at the future direction of the market. Additionally, we will introduce the anti-glare reflective film for in-vehicle displays that utilizes the "low haze technology for anti-glare performance" developed by Toyama Film, as well as the exhibition content from Functional Materials Week, Film Tech Japan, and Plastic Japan. We sincerely look forward to your participation.

At the High-Performance Materials Week, Otsuka Chemical and Higashiyama Film will jointly exhibit at Plastic Japan and Film Tech Japan! Otsuka Chemical will showcase specific use cases utilizing functional polymers "TERPLUS," functional inorganic materials "TISMO" and "DENTALL," functional resin composite materials "POTICON," rubber additives "ACROAD," and 3D printer resin composite materials "POTICON FILAMENT." Higashiyama Film will present exhibits related to AR (anti-reflective) films and non-silicone separator films. We look forward to your visit!

High-Performance Materials Week: Otsuka Chemical and Higashiyama Film will jointly exhibit at Plastic Japan and Film Tech Japan! Otsuka Chemical will showcase specific use cases utilizing functional polymers "TERPLUS," functional inorganic materials "TISMO" and "DENTALL," functional resin composite materials "POTICON," rubber additives "ACROAD," and 3D printer resin composite materials "POTICON FILAMENT." Higashiyama Film will exhibit AR (anti-reflective) films and non-silicone separator films. We look forward to your visit!

Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd. offers pharmaceutical CDMO services. Utilizing organic synthesis technology cultivated over many years in pharmaceutical manufacturing, we provide a consistent service from special raw materials to intermediates and mid-sized active pharmaceutical ingredients. With over 60 years of experience in halogenation technology and our unique catalyst development technology, we respond to diverse needs. Please feel free to contact us when you need our services. 【Features】 ■ High pharmacological activity (OEB Category 4) with solid-phase synthesis/flow synthesis capabilities Newly established GMP-compliant multipurpose plant ■ Providing consistent services from special raw materials to intermediates and mid-sized active pharmaceutical ingredients ■ Meeting diverse needs through halogenation technology and unique catalyst development technology

We are pleased to announce that Otsuka Chemical will be hosting a web seminar (webinar). This webinar, titled "The Needs and Development Directions of Functional Composite Materials Required for the Next Generation," will feature Professor Hiroshi Kageyama from the Graduate School of Engineering at Kanazawa Institute of Technology as the main speaker. Additionally, Mr. Moriyuki Yokoyama from Kawasaki Techno Research Co., Ltd., a materials consulting firm, will give a presentation on "Development Trends of CFRTP in Europe." Finally, Otsuka Chemical will discuss "The Characteristics of Composite Materials and Our Efforts to Address New Needs." 【Program】 ■1. Professor Hiroshi Kageyama, Kanazawa Institute of Technology Outlook on Composite Materials for Automobiles - Expectations and Challenges - (45 minutes) ■2. Mr. Moriyuki Yokoyama, Kawasaki Techno Research Co., Ltd. Accelerating Production Technology Development of Thermoplastic Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites (CFRTP) in Europe (30 minutes) ■3. Kousuke Inada, Otsuka Chemical Characteristics of Otsuka Chemical's Functional Composite Materials and Our Efforts to Address New Needs (30 minutes) ■4. Q&A (to be conducted via chat) (15 minutes) For inquiries regarding the webinar: Occ.webinar@otsuka.jp