September 08, 2008

OSAKA and Sumitomo develop new photocatalysts

OSAKA Titanium Technologies Co Ltd and the Corporate Research & Development Laboratory of Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd announced that they have jointly developed a new type of highly active visible light responsive photocatalyst.

This new product shows about five times higher visible light photocatalytic performance than conventional products for decomposition of volatile organic compounds such as acetoaldehyde and toluene. Moreover, it can decompose odoriferous substances such as ammonia. Because of its performance, the new product may be able to bring about rapid spread of visible light responsive photocatalysts in the various fields.

Accordingly, OSAKA Titanium Technologies Co Ltd is planning to start mass production of the new product during the current fiscal year in order to meet the expected growth in demand.

Photocatalysts absorb light and decompose organic matters using its energy have drawn attention as eco materials with various environmental purification functions. The current market size of photocatalysts is said to be approximately JPY 90 billion most of which is estimated to be for the outdoor use of UV type photocatalysts. Going forward, the market is expected to reach about JPY 400 billion by 2015 as a result of an increase in the application of visible light responsive photocatalysts indoors or under illumination during the night when UV light is limited.