Recent progress in catalytic technology in Japan – II (1994–2009)

Catalytic processes developed and commercialized in Japan during 1994–2009 are reviewed and classified into 6 industrial areas: petroleum and energy, bulk chemicals, polymers, fine chemicals, auto exhaust catalysts, and environmental catalysts. They have contributed to overcome a rise in oil price as well as to promote Green Sustainable Chemistry. While these technologies made significant contributions to respond to social issues or commercial demands, continuous efforts for development of these processes greatly promoted the catalytic science and technologies including catalytic materials, concepts, mechanism and surface science of catalysis.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (116 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ Ninety-six catalytic processes developed in Japan during 1994–2009 are reviewed. ▶ They are classified into 6 industrial areas including environmental catalysts. ▶ Most of them were commercialized and contributed to Green Sustainable Chemistry. ▶ A wide range of catalysts, from zeolites to precious metals, are used.