TOKYO & NOVI, Mich. & DÜSSELDORF, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 3, 2025--
Asahi Kasei has received the 2025 Imperial Invention Prize from the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation, the highest award presented at the 2025 National Commendation for Invention. The formal award ceremony is scheduled to be held on July 1, 2025. The company was honored for its invention of a nickel-coated absorption layer, which extends the service life of electrodes for chlor-alkali electrolysis (patent no. 6120804). This honor underscores Asahi Kasei’s commitment to continuous innovation in materials science and electrochemical processes.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250603341882/en/
Ion-exchange membrane process for chlor-alkali electrolysis
Chlor-alkali electrolysis uses ion-exchange membranes to produce chlorine, caustic soda, and hydrogen through the electrolysis of brine. Since its commercialization by Asahi Kasei in 1975, this process has been adopted at over 160 plants in more than 30 countries worldwide (as of December 2024). In a commitment to its global support, the division held a Grand Opening Ceremony of its Houston, Texas office in late 2024. During this event, Asahi Kasei unveiled its “ DENKAI AS ONE ” model, making it a one-stop solution provider, offering electrolyzers, membranes, design, and operational support.
The awarded nickel-coated absorption layer addresses a long-term key issue of the chlor-alkali electrolysis process: When the electrolysis is stopped due to temporary reductions in demand for chlorine and caustic soda, equipment malfunctions, or power outages, the electrodes—especially the cathode—deteriorate due to reverse current. This leads to problems such as increased power consumption and shortened cathode service life. Conventional measures have used mechanical solutions to suppress such reverse current. However, this approach is susceptible to malfunctions and operator errors, making it challenging to avoid cathode deterioration completely.
Installing a reverse current absorption layer with a nickel coating offers an alternative method to eliminate the need for mechanical equipment. When stopping the electrolysis process, the reverse current absorption layer undergoes a chemical reaction with the nickel, preventing cathode degradation and enabling the equipment's stable, long-term operation.
The nickel-coated reverse current absorption layer overcomes an additional hurdle for electrolyzer operators. Previously, customers often had to compromise porosity for strength and vice versa. Asahi Kasei’s technology remedies this issue with its nickel-coated layer, which is both porous and sturdy while remaining processable over large areas. Commercialization was successfully achieved by applying nickel to a substrate with thermal spraying, which involves heating a material to a molten or near-molten state and applying it onto a surface to form a coating.
Akiyasu Funakawa, General Manager of Asahi Kasei’s Ion Exchange Membrane Research & Development Dept. said, “Chlorine and caustic soda are indispensable raw materials that form the basis of various products which support our daily lives. This prize is a great encouragement as I continue to work on developing electrolysis technology that contributes to the world.” Toshinori Hachiya, General Manager of the Microza & Water Processing Quality Assurance Dept. at Asahi Kasei, added, “In response to customer troubles, we have faced many issues and worked with many members to devise ideas. I am very happy that the results of our persistent efforts have been recognized in this way.”
Chlor-alkali electrolysis equipment incorporating this technical breakthrough has already been adopted by chemical manufacturers worldwide, with market expansion continuing. Asahi Kasei is also investigating the technology’s applicability to other electrolysis processes, such as alkaline water electrolysis for green hydrogen production.
In addition to the Imperial Invention Prize, Koshiro Kudo, President of Asahi Kasei, accepted the Award for Distinguished Contribution to Driving the Invention into Implementation on behalf of the company.
For additional information on Asahi Kasei’s Ion-Exchange Membrane Business, visit https://chlor-alkali.asahi-kasei.co.jp/en/
The Imperial Invention Prize
Akiyasu Funakawa
General Manager
Ion Exchange Membrane Research & Development Dept.
Ion Exchange Membrane & Electrolysis System Division
Asahi Kasei Corp.
Toshinori Hachiya
General Manager
Microza & Water Processing Quality Assurance Dept.
Microza & Water Processing Division
Asahi Kasei Corp.
Award for Distinguished Contribution for Driving the Invention into Implementation
Koshiro Kudo
President and Representative Director
Asahi Kasei Corp.
(Affiliations are current as of the date of the award.)
About Asahi Kasei
The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its foundation in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber businesses, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 50,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world's challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Healthcare. Its Material sector, comprised of Environmental Solutions, Mobility & Industrial, and Life Innovation, includes a wide array of products from battery separators and biodegradable textiles to engineering plastics and sound solutions. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.com.
Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/.
Conceptual diagram of nickel with a specific structure
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills fans arrived early and lingered long after the game ended to bid what could be farewell to their long-time home stadium filled with 53 years of memories — and often piles of snow.
After singing along together to The Killers' “Mr. Brightside” in the closing minutes of a 35-8 victory against the New York Jets, most everyone in the crowd of 70,944 remained in their seats to bask in the glow of fireworks as Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World” played over the stadium speakers.
Several players stopped in the end zone to watch a retrospective video, with the Buffalo-based Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” as the soundtrack while fans recorded selfie videos of the celebratory scene. Offensive lineman Alec Anderson even jumped into the crowd to pose for pictures before leaving the field.
With the Bills (12-5), the AFC's 6th seed, opening the playoffs at Jacksonville in the wild-card round next week, there's but a slim chance they'll play at their old home again. Next season, Buffalo is set to move into its new $1.2 billion facility being built across the street.
The farewell game evoked “a lifetime of memories,” said Therese Forton-Barnes, selected the team’s Fan of the Year, before the Bills kicked of their regular-season finale. “In our culture that we know and love, we can bond together from that experience. Our love for this team, our love for this city, have branched from those roots.”
Forton-Barnes, a past president of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, attended Bills games as a child at the old War Memorial Stadium in downtown Buffalo, colloquially known as “The Rockpile.” She has been a season ticket holder since Jim Kelly joined the Bills in 1986 at what was then Rich Stadium, later renamed for the team’s founding owner Ralph Wilson, and then corporate sponsors New Era and Highmark.
“I’ve been to over 350 games,” she said. “Today we’re here to cherish and celebrate the past, present and future. We have so many memories that you can’t erase at Rich Stadium, The Ralph, and now Highmark. Forever we will hold these memories when we move across the street.”
There was a celebratory mood to the day, with fans arriving early. Cars lined Abbott Road some 90 minutes before the stadium lots opened for a game the Bills rested most of their starters, with a brisk wind blowing in off of nearby Lake Erie and with temperatures dipping into the low 20s.
And most were in their seats when Bills owner Terry Pegula thanked fans and stadium workers in a pregame address.
With Buffalo leading 21-0 at halftime, many fans stayed in their seats as Kelly and fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Reed addressed them from the field, and the team played a video message from 100-year-old Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy.
“The fans have been unbelievable,” said Jack Hofstetter, a ticket-taker since the stadium opened in 1973 who was presented with Super Bowl tickets before Sunday’s game by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “I was a kid making 8 bucks a game back in those days. I got to see all the sports, ushering in the stadium and taking tickets later on. All the memories, it’s been fantastic.”
Bud Light commemorated the stadium finale and Bills fan culture with the release of a special-edition beer brewed with melted snow shoveled out of the stadium earlier this season.
In what has become a winter tradition at the stadium, fans were hired to clear the stands after a lake-effect storm dropped more than a foot of snow on the region this week.
The few remaining shovelers were still present clearing the pathways and end zone stands of snow some five hours before kickoff. The new stadium won’t require as many shovelers, with the field heated and with more than two-thirds of the 60,000-plus seats covered by a curved roof overhang.
Fears of fans rushing the field were abated with large contingent of security personnel and backed by New York State troopers began lining the field during the final 2-minute warning.
Fans stayed in the stands, singing along to the music, with many lingering to take one last glimpse inside the stadium where the scoreboard broadcast one last message:
“Thank You, Bills Mafia.”
AP Sports Writer John Wawrow contributed.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Fans watch a ceremony after the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) remains on the field to watch a tribute video after the Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y.(AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Fans watch a ceremony after the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Fans celebrate after the Buffalo Bills scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fans celebrate and throw snow in the stands after an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Aga Deters, right, and her husband Fred Deters, walk near Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Michael Wygant shoves snow from a tunnel before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Alec Anderson (70) spikes the ball after running back Ty Johnson scored a touchdown against the New York Jets in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
FILE - The existing Highmark Stadium, foreground, frames the construction on the new Highmark Stadium, upper right, which is scheduled to open with the 2026 season, shown before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots, Oct. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Salt crew member Jim Earl sprinkles salt in the upper deck before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
