[Frontiers in Chemical Technology by Haichuan] Zeon Corporation in Japan develops new technology for synthesizing dicyclopentadiene

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The 25th National \"Safety Production Month\" in 2026: Everyone talks about safety, and everyone knows how to handle emergencies; identifying and addressing risks and hazards. -------------------------------------------------- Zeon Corporation has approved a major new investment in its GPI facilities at its Water Island plant in Kurashiki, Japan, with the aim of enhancing its competitiveness in its rapidly growing C5 chemicals business. The project will increase the production capacity of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) by about 20%. DCPD is a key raw material for producing cycloolefin polymers (COP) and COP optical films, products that represent the core growth areas in Rayon’s product portfolio. Furthermore, DCPD is also crucial for other high-value-added applications, including reaction injection molding (RIM) composites, and it constitutes the strategic core of Rayon’s medium-term business plan “STAGE30”. The company stated that this capacity expansion aims to “ensure a stable supply of DCPD without increasing the production volume of raw materials for general chemicals, such as m-pentadiene,” while also improving its environmental performance. Ryoun emphasized that the new facility will “use components that have not been utilized before,” thereby helping to reduce carbon emissions. Of particular importance is that the company’s statement reads: “Compared to extracting raw materials from the C5 fraction, the new process is expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions more effectively, thereby contributing to the achievement of carbon neutrality.” ” The expansion project is scheduled to commence in the second half of fiscal year 2026, with completion targeted for September 2028.