Articles from Asahi Kasei

Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America, Inc. (AKBA), a leader in advanced filtration and fluid management solutions for the biopharmaceutical industry, has been recognized with the Best Technologies Innovation Award at INTERPHEX 2025. This recognition was for AKBA’s THESYS® Cleavage & Deprotection (C&D) and Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) unit, a groundbreaking system redefining oligonucleotide manufacturing efficiency.

Bionova Scientific, an Asahi Kasei company and boutique commercial-scale biologics contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has announced the opening of a new facility in Fremont, California. The 55,000 sq. ft. process development and pilot plant will significantly expand the company’s ability to advance early-stage biologics assets to first-in-human trials and facilitate the future expansion of its manufacturing capacity.

Asahi Kasei and Kurashiki City held a grand opening ceremony on February 4, 2025, for a biogas purification system (the System) in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The System uses Asahi Kasei’s CO2 separation/recovery technology utilizing zeolites installed at a sewage treatment plant. The goal of this collaboration is to evaluate and demonstrate the performance of the System.

Fully autonomous cars will become mobile living rooms, allowing car manufacturers to reimagine the future of car interiors. In its fifth annual survey, the Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei asked car users in the four major automotive markets about their expectations and concerns regarding fully autonomous vehicles and their perception of sustainability. Customer preferences for interior design, features, and usage scenarios offer the automotive industry valuable hints about what the car of the future should look like.

Asahi Kasei received a 2024 TSMC Excellent Performance Award for its Pimel™, a photosensitive Polyimide material, in recognition of its “Excellent Technology Collaboration and Production Support in Advanced Packaging” at the 2024 Supply Chain Management Forum held by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. on December 2, 2024.

Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical (Sailboat) started commercial operation of a new carbonates plant in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, the People's Republic of China, in November 2024. The plant uses technology licensed from Asahi Kasei for the production of high-purity ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with carbon dioxide (CO2) as a main raw material. Both carbonates are used as electrolyte solvents in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has launched mass production and shipment of its next-generation InAs (indium arsenide) compound Hall element, the HQ0A11. Launched in November 2024, HQ0A11 features AKM's smallest and thinnest* package size for an InAs-based Hall element, measuring 0.8 x 0.4 x 0.23 mm. It achieves an 85% reduction in volume compared to the previous model of HQ0811 in the high-sensitivity HQ series. It is expected that HQ0A11 will contribute to improved performance in smartphone camera modules, small robots, and other applications.

Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corporation marked a significant step in its commitment to supporting the North American electric vehicle (EV) market by breaking ground on its new lithium-ion battery separator manufacturing facility in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. The plant is expected to begin commercial production in 2027, subject to obtaining permits and approvals from relevant authorities. It is planned to operate as a joint venture facility between Asahi Kasei and Honda.

The Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Aquafil S.p.A., an Italian manufacturer of polyamide 6 (PA6). The two companies agreed to develop a novel material for 3D printing (3DP) applications utilizing Aquafil’s ECONYL® Polymer chemically recycled PA6 and Asahi Kasei’s cellulose nanofiber (CNF), with the support of ITOCHU Corporation, which has made a capital investment in Aquafil. Pellets or filaments of this compound achieve superior formability and strength, which make them suitable for use in automotive and aeronautical applications.

The Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei is introducing a new material solution for enhanced EV battery safety. A flame-retardant and highly flexible nonwoven fabric, LASTAN™ is an outstanding alternative to conventional materials for thermal runaway protection. It can be utilized in top covers, busbar protection sleeves, and other applications within the EV battery pack.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM), a subsidiary of Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei, opened the “AKM Co-creation & Technology Center,” a new technology development base, in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan in June 2024. The center consolidates the primary functions of AKM’s product design, R&D for semiconductors and sensors, and partner relations.

Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei will exhibit its broad range of diversified material solutions at Fakuma 2024, the world's leading trade event for industrial plastics processing, from October 15-19 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Highlights include polymer solutions for thermal management applications in EVs, a novel thermoplastic elastomer for improved recyclability of automotive interior parts, and a cellulose nanofiber composite for high-performance 3D printing.

Asahi Kasei’s newest global car user survey gives insights into the brand loyalty and buying behavior of car users in the four major automotive markets: Germany, the United States, China, and Japan. It also provides background information on technological reasons for consumers’ hesitance to switch to electric cars.

Asahi Kasei has announced that in April 2024 it began selling a membrane system to produce WFI (water for injection), a type of sterile water that is used for the preparation of injections. The membrane system was developed as an alternative to the conventional distillation processes for the production of WFI by leveraging system design and development capabilities of Microza™ hollow-fiber membrane for water treatment and filtration of liquid products. By reducing the need to generate steam, this system enables lower CO2 emissions and lower costs in the production of WFI.

Crystal IS, an Asahi Kasei company, today announced the successful serial production of 100 mm diameter single-crystal aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates with 99% usable area, based on current requirements for UVC LEDs, with manufacturing to take place in the United States. The ultra-wide bandgap and high thermal conductivity of AlN help to improve device reliability and performance not only in UVC LEDs but also in next-generation RF and power devices.

Asahi Kasei announced today that it will construct its previously announced integrated lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator plant in Port Colborne, which is in the Niagara region of Ontario, Canada. The new manufacturing facility will operate as Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada and is expected to create highly skilled, good paying jobs in manufacturing and construction. The start of commercial production is currently slated for 2027.

The Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei is further accelerating its hydrogen business activities. On May 13, company representatives and partners including the Japanese government celebrated the official opening of a new hydrogen pilot plant in Kawasaki, Japan. Operation start of this commercial-scale facility was in March 2024. The trial operation of four 0.8 MW modules is another milestone towards the realization of a commercial multi-module 100 MW-class alkaline water electrolysis system for green hydrogen production.

Generating cutting-edge therapeutics requires precision, safety, and efficiency from manufacturing equipment. The next generation of oligo manufacturing, the process of producing short sequences of nucleotides (building blocks of DNA or RNA), innovation from Asahi Kasei Bioprocess (AKB), the THESYS™ ACS ERGO synthesis column, will be on display and demonstrated at Booth 213 at TIDES USA 2024 from May 14th to 17th at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. This new synthesis column offers drastically reduced changeover time between batches while maintaining user safety and product quality.

Asahi Kasei announced today that it will construct an integrated plant in Ontario, Canada for the base film manufacturing and coating of Hipore™ wet-process lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator1. In relation to this plant, Asahi Kasei has concluded a basic agreement with Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) and the two parties are currently studying joint investment. Also with regard to the Canadian plant, it has been agreed that Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Corp.2, which is scheduled to be established in October 2024, will receive funding from the Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) through the issuance of preferred shares. Furthermore, receipt of financial support from the federal government of Canada and the provincial government of Ontario regarding this investment is expected.

The future of one-stop plastics innovation is coming to NPE 2024, the largest plastics industry trade show in the Americas, from May 6 through 10 in Orlando, Florida. Asahi Kasei Plastics North America (APNA) will highlight new technologies, such as its 3D printing filament line, at booth S14012. The Asaclean group – a purging compound product line of APNA – will be in the West Hall at booth W2181. APNA will showcase its streamlined process for customers to meet manufacturing needs without requiring multiple vendors.

Asahi Kasei Bioprocess’ (AKB) Massachusetts Training Center has announced an expansion of 2024 class offerings designed for individuals across various stages of their careers. Courses will cover a range of topics, including, but not limited to, bioprocess overview, pathogen safety, and virus removal filter operators' training.

Senseair, a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM), has announced the launch of the Senseair S88. The S88 is an accurate, compact, and maintenance-free CO2 sensing module that is ideal for indoor air quality monitoring and building automation control across a variety of environments.

To contribute to reducing the risk of potentially carcinogenic nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements, Asahi Kasei now offers Ceolus™ microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with nitrite levels of 0.1 μg/g (ppm) or less.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM), a subsidiary of the Asahi Kasei Group, has developed the AK5707, an ultra-low-power monaural 16-bit A/D converter (ADC) equipped with the integrated Acoustic Activity Analyzer (AAA), an analog acoustic event detector (AED). The AK5707 is an excellent fit for IoT security applications, such as wireless cameras and smart doorbells, due to its low power consumption, small package size, and advanced sound differentiation capabilities.

Senseair, a leader in Non-Dispersive Infrared Technology (NDIR) and a subsidiary of the Asahi Kasei Group, introduces their Sunrise CO2 sensor to the market. Based on an internal study, the technology is shown to potentially optimize energy efficiency and enhance indoor air quality, which could contribute to a healthier indoor environment. This product will debut at the upcoming AHR 2024 conference focused on HVACs in Chicago, Illinois, on January 22.

Asahi Kasei and an affiliated company have acquired the widely recognized international sustainability certification ISCC PLUS for several products in the fields of thermoplastic elastomers and rubbers, engineering plastics, and other materials.

Millimeter-wave radar transceiver technology from Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM), part of the Asahi Kasei Group, is making its debut at CES 2024.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) will return to CES® 2024, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 9th to 12th. AKM’s exhibit will focus on sensing and mixed-signal solutions for mobility and health tech, including an automotive audio demonstration and Millimeter-wave radar system.

Asahi Kasei has developed a novel membrane system for dehydrating organic solvents for pharmaceutical applications without the application of heat or pressure. This system can contribute to the optimization of manufacturing processes in the pharmaceutical industry. The company has now begun collaborating with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., of Osaka, Japan, for the practical verification of this system.

Japanese diversified global manufacturer Asahi Kasei has made an investment in Ionomr Innovations Inc., a Canadian startup that manufactures anion exchange membrane (AEM). Ionomr’s high-performance, durable, next-generation membrane has the potential to be transformative for the cost-efficient and scalable production of green hydrogen by electrolysis using renewable energy.

Asahi Kasei is launching a demonstration trial of a rental service for chlor-alkali electrolysis cells in Europe with Nobian GmbH and LOGISTEED Europe B.V. Headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Nobian is one of Europe's leading chlor-alkali1 companies. Headquartered in Gelderland, the Netherlands, LOGISTEED Europe is a leading logistics company with more than 10 sites in 6 countries in Europe.

Asahi Kasei, Gentari Hydrogen Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PETRONAS clean energy arm Gentari Sdn Bhd (Gentari), and JGC Holdings Corporation (JGC) today announced the completion of a detailed feasibility study for production of up to 8,000 tonnes per year of green hydrogen using a 60 megawatt (MW) class alkaline water electrolyser system. The parties also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the said project. This project is supported by the Green Innovation Fund for Large-scale Alkaline Water Electrolysis System Development and Green Chemical Plant Project by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Asahi Kasei will invest in additional equipment for coating Hipore™ lithium-ion battery (LIB) separators. New coating lines will be installed at existing Asahi Kasei LIB separator facilities in the United States, Japan, and South Korea, with start-up scheduled in succession from the first half of fiscal year 2026.

Asahi Kasei has decided to invest in US-based startup NFW, a producer of non-petroleum-based leather alternative for car interiors. As part of Asahi Kasei's medium-term growth strategy and in close cooperation with Sage Automotive Interiors, Inc. (Sage), an Asahi Kasei company and a leading global provider of innovative and functional materials for the automotive interior, this strategic partnership enables another major step to support global automotive OEMs in reducing the environmental burden of automobiles.

Asahi Kasei has started sales for 3D printing (3DP) filaments in North America through Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. (APNA). The soft launch will begin with filaments from the modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) resin product line, XYRON™, then expand to the Thermylene™ polypropylene (PP) group.

Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei will showcase diversified material solutions for safe and compact EV batteries, improved connectivity and lightweighting, as well as circular economy at Fakuma, the world's leading trade event for industrial plastics processing, from October 17th to 21st, 2023 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Crystal IS, an Asahi Kasei company, today announced the successful production of a 4-inch (100 mm) diameter single-crystal aluminum nitride (AlN) substrate. This is the first reported aluminum nitride substrate at this size and demonstrates the scalability of Crystal IS processes for growing AlN bulk single-crystals to meet production demands for this semiconductor material.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has launched the AK7709VQ, a new multicore digital signal processor (DSP) conceived for next-generation in-vehicle sound design. This powerful DSP enables the real-time large-scale computational processing required to provide an immersive sound experience for passengers.

Asahi Kasei has begun licensing of technology for the design and manufacture of lithium-ion capacitors (LiCs) based on its proprietary lithium pre-doping technology1.

Asahi Kasei established a “Care for Earth” investment framework as a new initiative for carbon neutrality by investing $100 million worldwide in early-stage startups that aim to solve issues in environmental fields such as hydrogen, energy storage, carbon management, and bio-based chemicals over the 5-year period up to fiscal 2027.

Asahi Kasei’s production facility for Dinamica® artificial suede at its Nonwovens Plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, has acquired the first Renewable Energy Use Certification by Japan's Powered by RE Certification Committee, utilizing the Powered by RE system of Hitachi, which visualizes the usage of renewable energy. The certification, acquired on March 8, 2023, ensures that the production facility for Dinamica® is powered by 100% renewable energy.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, and subsidiary Crystal IS have demonstrated their next-generation Klaran single-chip UVC LED which emits at 160 mW in the ideal germicidal range of 260-270 nm. Setting a new record for single-chip device output in a commercial device, this achievement marks a significant 60% increase over prior Crystal IS devices while retaining the optimal wavelength for germicidal efficiency. This higher output device will be used to accelerate the adoption of UVC LEDs and hasten the widespread replacement of low-pressure mercury lamps. While the new device will retain the Klaran compact 3.5 mm x 3.5 mm package and solder pad design to allow backward compatibility with existing customer designs, the higher output will allow UVC LEDs to meet the performance and cost targets needed to expand into new applications in high-flow water and air treatment.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, and subsidiary Crystal IS have released lifetime characterization data after more than 10,000 hours of testing its Klaran LA UVC LED, which supports a projected L70 lifetime1 of 25,000 hours. This advancement retains true disinfection with a refined wavelength optimal for germicidal efficiency, with a lifetime exceeding low pressure mercury lamp technology, promoting the transition to non-mercury/non-ozone generating devices.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, has completed the construction of its second plant for Ceolus™ microcrystalline cellulose1 (MCC) at its Mizushima Works in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan, in January 2023. With the new facility, the company underlines its commitment to meet the substantially growing demand for its MCC.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, has developed a new technology for recycling carbon fiber plastic compounds together with the National Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu College and Tokyo University of Science.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, has decided to invest in Circularise B.V., a startup company in the Netherlands that provides digital product passports and mass balance bookkeeping software, together with Brightlands Venture Partners, 4impact capital, and Neste, in November 2022.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, will be presenting solutions throughout the entire value chain, from raw materials and production technologies to the usage of recycled and recyclable materials, for the automotive industry in the revolutionary transition to electrified, autonomous and more sustainable mobility at CES 2023. With a vast product lineup spanning water-based polycarbonate coating to lightweight resins, Asahi Kasei draws from over 100 years of innovation across its diverse businesses with the technology in AKXY2. Virtually everything in the vehicle that can be seen, touched and interacted with is made from Asahi Kasei original or collaborative technology.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, and its affiliated companies have acquired the widely recognized international certification ISCC PLUS1 for several products as shown below. The certification ensures that biomass, recycled materials, etc., are appropriately managed under the mass-balance method2 in the whole supply chain including manufacturing. With the acquisition of this certification, Asahi Kasei will be able to provide ISCC PLUS certified products.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, has started the construction of an alkaline water electrolysis pilot test plant for hydrogen production at its Kawasaki Works location in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Construction and operation of the plant is supported by the “Green Innovation Fund” of Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). The groundbreaking ceremony was held at the end of October 2022. Start of operation is targeted in early 2024 following construction work, equipment installation and trial operation.

Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America, a subsidiary of diversified Japanese multinational company Asahi Kasei, is currently undergoing a dramatic expansion of their Glenview, Illinois facilities to fuel innovation and to meet growing market needs for fluid management equipment, virus filtration and hollow fiber membrane technology. This 16,000 square-foot expansion will bring the total size of the facility to 43,000 square feet and is projected for completion by mid-2023.

Asahi Kasei Plastics Singapore Pte Ltd (APS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, acquired the widely recognized international certification ISCC PLUS1 for its polyphenylene ether (PPE) as a sustainable product on September 19, 2022. Production of PPE using biomass-derived raw material is scheduled to begin in January 2023.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, and subsidiary Crystal IS have concluded in a bacterial performance test that an experimental Klaran™ WR water treatment reactor demonstrated over 75% higher performance than a traditional low pressure mercury lamp system using an equivalent power consumption level.

To meet the increasing demand for materials that boost the efficiency of 5G applications, Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, is currently introducing new grades of its modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) XYRON™ to the European and North American markets. The combination of PPE with other polymers such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or polystyrene (PS) allows this family of high-performance compounds to feature a broad range of properties, exceeding those of conventional materials used for telecommunication applications.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, and Kurashiki City today concluded an agreement to hold a trial to evaluate and demonstrate the performance of a biogas purification system (the System) at a sewage treatment plant in the city. Earlier in the day, the Mizushima Works of Asahi Kasei’s Production Center and Kurashiki City concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement for the realization of carbon neutrality in society. Advancing the demonstration trial for decarbonization is one of the provisions of the partnership.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, will present its newest concept car AKXY2 for the first time in Europe at K 2022 from October 19-26 in Düsseldorf, Germany (Hall 8a, Booth E23). Utilizing a broad variety of materials and technologies, the vehicle showcases the company’s cross-divisional expertise throughout the entire value chain. Other highlights at this year’s booth will be innovative particle foams, bio-based filler materials and sustainable engineering plastics.

Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America, subsidiary of diversified Japanese multinational company Asahi Kasei, will be featuring their MOTIV™ Buffer Management Technology at ACHEMA 2022 in Frankfurt this August. Winner of “Best in Show” at Interphex in 2017, “Technology of the Decade” from Bioprocess international in 2012 and originator of the concept for inline buffer formulation (IBF™), Asahi Kasei Bioprocess is a market leader that keeps pharmaceutical production moving efficiently and precisely through solutions like MOTIV with built-in automation software so that medicine can get to patients sooner and safer.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, has developed a system (the System1) to calculate the carbon footprint of products (CFP2) for the synthetic rubber and elastomers products Asadene™, Tufdene™, Asaprene™, Tufprene™, Asaflex™, Tuftec™, and S.O.E.™ with CFP data provision to customers scheduled to begin in June 2022. CFP visualization is achieved utilizing the DEEP3 (Data Exploration and Exchange Pipeline) group-wide management infrastructure as a part of the System, which also enables examination of ways to further reduce CFP.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, has established a platform (the Platform) jointly with NTT DATA Corp. to grasp the amount of GHG emissions and calculate the carbon footprint of products (CFP)* for each grade of performance plastics used as molding material for automotive parts, consumer electronics, etc. The applicable performance plastic products are Leona™, Tenac™, Tenac-C™, Xyron™, and Thermylene®. Use of the Platform began in April 2022, and CFP data provision to customers will begin in May 2022.

In November 2021 Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, conducted its third "Automotive Interior Survey" together with Cologne, Germany-based market research institute SKOPOS in the four major automotive markets: the USA, Germany, China and Japan. 1,000 car users of varying income levels in each market responded to questions regarding their car purchasing behavior, understanding of automotive sustainability and preferences for the automotive interior. This survey supports the importance of Asahi Kasei’s Healthy Car Portfolio to help OEMs satisfy the needs of the end user.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, has formed a strategic partnership with Genomatica, Inc., regarding hexamethylenediamine (HMD) based on biomass-derived raw material (bio-HMD).

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, announces that on October 21, 2021, Tongsuh Petrochemical Corp., Ltd. (TSPC), a wholly owned subsidiary in South Korea, acquired the widely recognized international certification ISCC PLUS1 for its acrylonitrile (AN) as a sustainable product, and production of AN using biomass propylene is scheduled to begin in February 2022.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, is gathering its industry experts and thought leaders from around the world for CES 2022 in January, when their prototype vehicle interior of the future, AKXY POD, will make its debut for the first time outside of Japan. Packed with proprietary innovations, this prototype will allow visitors to experience the comfort, clean technology, and safety in the vehicles of tomorrow as well as illustrate how automobiles will fully evolve into our third living space. In addition, we will be providing a glimpse into innovations that will compose all aspects of our future living spaces both on and off the road.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, is celebrating the 90th anniversary of its Bemberg™ cupro fiber business in 2021 and launching a rebranding to mark the occasion.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, concluded an agreement with Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd. (hereinafter “Shell”) on November 23, 2021, regarding the supply of butadiene derived from plastic waste and biomass (hereinafter “sustainable butadiene”). The signing ceremony was held at the “Creating the Plastic Circular Economy in Singapore: Journey from Vision to Reality” event on Bukom Island, Singapore. Asahi Kasei plans to begin producing and marketing sustainable solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR) using the sustainable butadiene at its plant in Singapore by the end of fiscal 2021.

Asahi Kasei, a diversified Japanese multinational company, announces the launch of Bemliese™, its proprietary ultra-sustainable continuous-filament cellulosic nonwoven fabric, in North America via its trading arm in the US, Asahi Kasei Advance America. As the need for sustainable resources to reduce the overall carbon footprint in the product lifecycle grows greater throughout the world, Bemliese™ will resonate with organizations seeking to bolster CSR initiatives through its organic, fast-acting biodegradable and compostable material that can be utilized for a diverse array of disposable goods and applications.

Asahi Kasei announces the results of joint research with Nara Medical University regarding the efficacy of 226 nm ultraviolet-C (UVC) LEDs in the inactivation of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19, and its effects on animal skin cells. This is the first study in the world conducted with LEDs of this wavelength, and the results confirm that the 226 nm UVC LEDs are able to quickly inactivate SARS-CoV-2 while having significantly less effect on animal skin cells than 270 nm UVC LEDs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed mobility. It has also changed the car user’s perception of safety and comfort inside automotive vehicles. As a result, the global car user’s willingness to invest in solutions against pathogens on interior surfaces and the in-cabin air is growing. This development is one of the key findings of the second Asahi Kasei Automotive Interior Survey conducted in December 2020.