"Fluxflow" is a liquid or wax-like non-fluorinated polymer material that meets new demands for dispersants and binders by utilizing our polymer structure control technology. It has been developed as a material that enables high-concentration dispersion of PTFE particles without using fluorinated surfactants, which carry the risk of PFAS regulations, and we are advancing market work. For more details, please see the related links.

The "PFAS 2024" conference was held from October 29 to 30, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland, to discuss insights into the regulatory situation surrounding PFAS and the technical and economic challenges associated with the implementation of bans. Concerns about health risks and the long persistence of PFAS in the natural environment have led to an expansion of regulations, particularly in Europe, in recent years. This conference focuses on new alternatives and alternative technologies that do not contain PFAS, promoting a transition towards sustainability in the industry. The scope includes additives and other substances that may contain PFAS used in the plastics industry, extending beyond the fluoropolymer market to include release agents, foaming agents, processing aids, anti-blocking agents, flame retardants, and anti-corrosion coatings. PFAS is also used as an additive to uniformly disperse PTFE particles in liquids. Sekisui Chemical is focusing on the early practical application of non-fluorinated dispersants, and in this presentation, they proposed "Fluxflow," a fluorine-free dispersant utilizing biomimetic technology, highlighting its technical advantages and potential applications, which received significant attention. For more details, please refer to the related links.

The polymer microparticle "Tech Polymer" is a microparticle based on polymerizable monomers. Utilizing its properties, it is used as an additive for various applications such as light diffusion in resin films and molded products, matte finish and scratch resistance in paints and inks, and slip enhancement in cosmetics. Until now, "Tech Polymer" has primarily been used as an additive in liquid crystal displays, LED lighting, paints, and cosmetics, but it has recently been adopted for automotive interior lighting and running lights, expanding the demand for automotive lighting. For more details, please see the related links.

We have added polymer materials using solution polymerization to our product line of functional polymers, and we have decided on the brand name "Fluxflow" along with the development of a logo. Our company is marketing polymer microparticles called "Tech Polymer," which are based on our unique suspension polymerization. By controlling the size and shape of the microparticles, they are used as additives to impart functionality in various fields, such as light diffusers in liquid crystal and lighting applications, as well as matting agents in paints. Recently, we have been working on the development of new products using our unique solution polymerization technology to meet new needs for polymer materials. This will be added to our lineup of functional polymer products, and we have named it "Fluxflow" and developed a logo. For more details, please see the related links.

Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: 2-4-4 Nishitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Masato Kashiwabara) has recently discovered a method for mass production of hollow microparticles with a polyimide shell in collaboration with a research team led by Professor Hidetoshi Minami from Kobe University Graduate School of Engineering, marking the world's first achievement in this area. They have developed commercialization technology for "Tech Polymer Polyimide Hollow Microparticles." For more details, please see the related links.