From left to right: Mr. Lim Wey-Len, Executive Vice President, Green Economy, Singapore Economic Development Board, Mr. Toshio Imai, President and Chief Executive Officer, Denka Co Ltd, His Excellency Hiroshi Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore, Mr. Michio Kawamura, Managing Director, DCHA, DSPL, DAPL.

16 July 2024; This year, Denka Singapore Pte Ltd celebrates the 40th anniversary of producing its first tonne of acetylene black in 1984. Denka was one of the first among Japanese chemical manufacturers to establish a production base in Singapore. Drawn by the country’s sophisticated logistics, one of the most advanced IT systems in the world, and an abundant, highly talented workforce – Singapore is an important strategic base for Denka outside Japan.

Through challenging periods such as demand downturns and sudden increases in production capacity, Denka Singapore is one company that has consistently contributed to society. Over the past 40 years, Denka Singapore Pte Ltd has grown its business exponentially, from 1980 to the present day, overseeing two petrochemical plants on Jurong Island. Singapore continues to be an essential priority for the Denka group, with plans underway to expand its plants as the demand for products such as electronic materials and progressive polymer solutions increases.

How DSPL will support Denka’s vision to “make the world a better place by 2030”

Michio Kawamura; Managing Director of Denka Singapore Pte Ltd, Denka Advantech Pte Ltd, and Denka Chemicals Holdings Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, shares his thoughts about the group’s future and how their goals for 2030 will continue contributing to Singapore society.

What are some of Denka Singapore’s strategies to support Denka’s overarching vision, to “make the world a better place by 2030”?
The situation in Singapore is different from Japan, so we have a different set of goals. Denka Japan has just formulated its new mission: Mission 2030 will be its guiding management plan to build a more sustainable business for the world. Singapore Mission 2030 (SG-M30) is the Singaporean equivalent, complementing the universal Mission 2030. A major driving force that can contribute to SG-M30 is our human resources value creation. Denka Singapore is committed to growing the potential of all employees. Through our Total Company Learning Plan (TCLP), we will identify and address the training gaps to meet the competencies pillar in the mission and vision for SG-M30. Denka Singapore aims to be a glocalized organization, and we want our Singaporean employees to take charge in their roles.

How does Denka Singapore plan to become more sustainable?
We will align with the Singapore government in its sustainability goals: carbon emissions reduction by 50% by 2030, and a carbon neutral status by 2050. As we look to the future, we have plans to achieve this through measurable steps. In Singapore, we are studying methods for solar panel installation to reduce CO2 emissions. Eventually, these installations will be implemented at all plants, and other initiatives such as zero-waste operations will further bolster our efforts.

What are the projections for Denka Singapore’s production? Has the production of acetylene black increased, and do you foresee new production lines being added?
In line with sustainability megatrends, DSPL will focus on expanding its production capacity for products suitable for various sustainable applications. Denka has already expanded its production capacity for fused silica, used in heat-dissipating materials, in 2024 to meet growing market demand. We anticipate increased demand for products such as styrenics resins, which replace metals in vehicle construction for lighter vehicles; acetylene black, used in EV batteries and wind power generation; and spherical alumina, used in onboard chargers and EV batteries, in the coming years. At DSPL, we are committed to supporting the global transition to more sustainable everyday essentials and ensuring stable supply chains for these critical raw materials.

What else is planned for the Denka Singapore production plants?
Drawing on Singapore’s flourishing research and development infrastructure, Denka Singapore will also serve as a hub for research and development in the region. We will explore enhancements for existing products, innovation for new products, and possibilities for accompanying technologies. While plastic is not ideal for the environment, it remains an indispensable material for everyday life. At Denka, we are committed to reconciling this by dedicating ourselves to innovating sustainable polymer solutions that uphold our duty to the environment.

A major focus for the future of the Denka plants is the implementation of an effective digital knowledge management system, to ensure seamless operations between Denka Singapore and its Japanese headquarters. Singapore can serve as a model for Japan, a testing ground for our new AI technologies. The long-term goal is to develop a factory avatar to support our intricate operations; a resource that can help educate, problem-solve, and manage the plants effectively worldwide through sharing existing knowledge before it is lost as employees retire or relocate. Denka Singapore looks forward to refining this proprietary technology, before consolidating and exporting it to other Denka facilities.

How does Denka Singapore contribute to Singapore society?
Since the dawn of Denka Singapore Pte Ltd, the goal has been to work in solidarity with Denka Headquarters in Japan, regional governing bodies, and external stakeholders to achieve our mission: to imagine the possibility of chemistry in shaping greater essentials for a better future.

As we celebrate Denka Singapore’s 40 years in production, we pay tribute to the multiple ground-breaking solutions it has driven for the region. With 4 plants, 7 products, 300 staff members, and USD 350 million in sales, Denka Singapore is now one of the Denka group’s most prolific entities. Its significant contributions to society range from high-value job creation; a steady supply of the valuable raw material, acetylene black; to the continuous development of specialty chemicals, such as sustainable polymer solutions. DSPL looks forward to persevering on its path. Its current objective is SGM2030: to aid the advancement towards a sustainable future, for Singapore and beyond.

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