SDK Completes Expansion of Capacity for Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles

Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) has expanded the nanoparticle titanium-oxide production capacity at its wholly owned subsidiary Showa Titanium Co., Ltd., to 240 tons a month. A ceremony was held yesterday to celebrate the completion. Full-scale production at the expanded facility will start next month.

The nanoparticle titanium-oxide product, sold under the trade name of Super-TitaniaTM, is used in the production of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) installed in many electronic devices. In the area of high-end applications, the product has the leading share in the world market.

As Showa Titanium uses the most advanced process control technology, the company can provide Super-TitaniaTM in ultra-fine particle sizes, ranging from 15 to 250 nm (1 nm: one-millionth of mm). The product has also high purity, ensuring the production of MLCCs with smaller size and higher capacity.

MLCCs are used mainly in light-weight electronic devices and in such energy-saving electric appliances as flat-panel TVs. Reflecting increasing demand for these products, the MLCC market is continuing to grow. With the capacity expansion, the Showa Denko Group is prepared to provide high-quality nanoparticle titanium-oxide in a stable manner in response to the growth of the MLCC market.

The Showa Denko Group will continue to meet customer requirements and establish leading positions on the market.

[Profile of Showa Titanium Co., Ltd.]
Head office: Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture
President: Akira Ebinuma
Capital: 460 million Yen
Ownership: Owned 100% by SDK
Scope of business: Production and sale of titanium oxide, alumina, etc.
Number of employees: 77

Super-TitaniaTM plant after capacity expansion

(From left) Hideo Ichikawa, President and CEO of Showa Denko; and Akira Ebinuma, President of Showa Titanium, pushing the button to start up the expanded Super-TitaniaTM production facility.