CO2 Absorption Materials (Initiatives for CCUS)

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To achieve carbon neutrality, the importance of CCUS technology is steadily growing. CCUS (Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization, and Storage) refers to technologies that separate, capture, and either store or utilize CO2. It is currently being researched and demonstrated worldwide as an effective means of reducing CO2 emissions.
TOYOCOLOR, an artience Group company, is working on the development of various absorption materials that enable the efficient capture of large amounts of CO2 emitted from factories—such as steelworks and oil refineries—as well as CO2 from the atmosphere. Utilizing the material design and compounding technologies cultivated by the artience Group over many years of colorant synthesis and ink formulation, our developed products balance high absorption performance with stability. Through these products, we pursue material designs that contribute to reducing energy loads and optimizing processes. Anticipating applications across a wide range of fields, including power generation, chemicals, and industrial sectors, we provide solutions that support next-generation CCUS technology through two approaches: Chemical Absorption and Solid Adsorption.

• Chemical Absorption Method: Amine Solvents
• Solid Adsorption Method: Solid Adsorbents

Chemical Absorption Method: Amine Solvents

The chemical absorption method is a leading CO2 capture technology that selectively absorbs and separates CO2 from flue gas through a chemical reaction between an absorbent liquid and CO2. TOYOCOLOR is advancing the development of materials that offer an excellent balance between CO2 capture performance and regeneration thermal energy. Our focus centers on aqueous amine solvent solutions using only water as a solvent. Engineered for practical industrial application, our solutions combine high capture efficiency with long-term durability.

The chemical absorption method is a representative CO2 capture technology that selectively absorbs and separates CO2 in flue gas by utilizing chemical reactions between the absorption liquid and CO₂. Our company is developing materials that excel in balancing CO2 capture performance and renewable thermal energy, focusing on aqueous amine solvent solutions that use only water as a solvent. With a focus on practical process application, we offer solutions that combine efficiency and durability.

Features of Our Developed Products (Technical Advantages)

• Low-Viscosity Absorption Design
  Achieves low viscosity through the optimal design of amines and solvents. This improves the circulation efficiency of the absorption solution within the capture equipment and reduces the load on liquid transfer pumps, contributing to stable equipment operation and reduced operational costs (power consumption).
• Low-Temperature Desorption
  By optimizing amine materials and reducing the specific heat of the absorption solution, we achieve a significantly lower temperature for the CO2 desorption process compared to conventional products. This drastically cuts thermal energy consumption and lowers operational costs.
• Outstanding Volatility Suppression
  By designing and selecting amines and solvents that are less likely to volatize at elevated temperatures, we minimize heat loss due to evaporation and temperature rise. This prevents unnecessary energy loss and enables the long-term, stable operation of the capture system.

• Non-hazardous materials response (Fire Service Act)
  Capable of designing to meet the "non-hazardous" standards under Japan's Fire Service Act. With implementation, explosion-proof equipment is no longer required, and there are no restrictions on specified quantities, enabling reduced capital investment costs and flexible, safe operational management.

Performance Comparison Data

CO2 Capture Energy Breakdown: Competitor vs. TOYOCOLOR Product

The amine solvents developed by TOYOCOLOR offer a high cyclic CO2 capacity, enabling a reduction in both sensible heat for heating and heat loss due to stripping steam. Compared to conventional products, our products significantly decrease energy consumption across the entire CO2 separation and capture process. For the future, we have set a target to cut CO2 capture energy consumption roughly in half, aiming for 1.8 GJ/t-CO2 or less.

CO2 Capture Energy Breakdown: Competitor vs. TOYOCOLOR Product

• Heat of reaction: The heat required for chemical reaction with CO2
  Sensible heat: The heat required to heat the absorption liquid
  Steam loss heat: The heat loss due to solvent evaporation

Our Strengths

Solid Adsorption Method: Solid Adsorbents

The solid adsorption method is a process that chemically or physically captures CO2 on the surface of a solid adsorbent consisting of a porous support structure loaded with amines. Since it does not use liquids, it eliminates the need for latent heat of vaporization or significant sensible heat from water. This enables the desorption of CO2 from the adsorbent at low temperatures of 80°C or below, making it highly suitable for Direct Air Capture (DAC) and low-temperature exhaust gas applications.

Features of Our Developed Products (Technical Advantages)

• Low-Temperature Regeneration
  While standard materials like polyethylenimine (PEI) require a desorption temperature of 100°C, our developed product can desorb CO2 at approximately 70°C. This directly contributes to reducing energy consumption during desorption.
• Outstanding Durability (Heat Resistance and Oxidation Prevention)
  Our product demonstrates a performance retention rate after accelerated degradation testing that is more than twice that of PEI. This allows for long-term use and helps reduce running costs.
• Compatible with Various Substrates
  We can deliver optimal amine material designs and loading methods tailored to the specific type and surface characteristics of the substrate.
  Compatible Substrates: Silica particles/powders, inorganic ceramic structures, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), etc.

Performance Comparison Data

Comparison before and after accelerated degradation testing

Our Strengths

Leveraging the proprietary material design technologies long-cultivated by the artience Group, we achieve optimal amine material designs and loading methods tailored to the specific types and surface characteristics of each substrate. This enables flexible customization to match our customers’ specific applications and substrate specifications.

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