Umicore, Nippon Shokubai JV for automotive catalyst in Japan

Automotive catalysts.

OSAKA, JAPAN: Umicore and Nippon Shokubai have formed a new joint venture in the field of catalysts for reducing vehicle emissions. The venture, Umicore Shokubai, will focus on providing automotive catalyst systems for Japanese manufacturers of light and heavy duty vehicles around the world. The new joint venture is owned 60 per cent by Umicore and 40 per cent by Nippon Shokubai. The joint venture is expected to be incorporated in the third quarter of 2012 subject to the standard regulatory approvals.

Umicore Shokubai will have its manufacturing and R&D centre in Himeji, Japan. It will deploy its technology to Japanese customers globally by using Umicore’s production and commercial infrastructure in North and South America. Umicore provides extensive product and process know-how, a global manufacturing footprint, a world-wide sales & marketing and applied technology network.

Umicore Shokubai has the intention to invest in a new automotive catalyst technical R&D centre to be built in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. “Growing our catalyst business with Japanese automotive producers is a key element of our Vision 2015 strategy. This single global organization will enable us to better serve the needs of our Japanese customers and to play an even more significant role in their on-going success around the world,” said Marc Grynberg, CEO, Umicore.

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