The Honjo Chemical Corporation announced in March 2006 that it has successfully developed a technology to degrade volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in silica gel with ultraviolet radiation.

Conventional methods for treating VOCs, such as absorption by activated carbon, incineration or through chemical reactions, are problematic due to their environmental impacts. Meanwhile, a cleaner photochemical method using titanium dioxide has the disadvantage of damaging supporting materials.

In the newly developed technology, VOCs absorbed by silica gel and exposed to ultraviolet radiation oxidize into acetic acid and carbon dioxide. Because silica gel retains this function even if it has absorbed moisture, it can be shaped into various materials such as fiber, building materials, paper, paints and cosmetics. Unlike titanium dioxide, it does not damage these supporting base materials.

The company is planning to launch its environmental catalyst business by licensing the new technology to, or conducting joint development with environmental equipment makers and textile, paper and resin manufacturers that are working on VOC-reducing products.

http://www.honjo-chem.co.jp/e_index.html

Posted: 2006/08/05 09:37:11 PM
Japanese version

TAG Chemicals , Manufacturing industry , Technology