Development
Outline
Unleashing
"surficial evolution"
into the world
Our Strength
01
Free thinking unbridled by conventional knowledge
Our employees are always encouraged to conceive unique ideas and try out new and unique material compositions and formulations (to achieve softness and non-abrasiveness, or water repellency and anti-fogging, etc.) without paying too much attention to seeming contradictions and conventional knowledge. They are trained to notice the slightest of clues and hints to realize novel conceptions and transform thought processes.
02
Outstanding R&D capability to identify and meet the needs of the times ahead of the competition
We are engaged in cutting-edge technological development to meet the needs of the times ahead of the competition by combining polymer material technology and unique ideas. Such development activities are aimed at creating future-oriented products that can become NATOCO's mainstay in the coming age.
03
High analytical capability for addressing various client issues
We are focused on the evaluation and analysis of polymer materials involving morphological observation, surface analysis, composition analysis, etc. Its analytical capability grounded in decades of experience along with high-performance analyzers allows us to provide solutions to clients’ issues.
Activities
This section provides information on our R&D activities
that allow it to provide the types of products and technological solutions
that only it can.
Elemental technology development
We have been perfecting its fundamental paint technology by researching elemental technology in four particular areas related primarily to polymer material technology and secondarily to dispersion technology, coating technology, and coloring technology.
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Polymer material technology
We are focused on the development of functional polymers by leveraging its structural control technology involving various polymer syntheses and block, graft, and branch polymerization. Moreover, by blending these polymers together, it develops products endowed with various functions (viscoelasticity, refractivity, surface energy, dielectric constant control, etc.).
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Dispersion technology
We are developing technology related to the dispersion of pigments, nanoparticles, etc. as well as technology that allows for the efficient achievement of surficial functions involving surficial segregation and orientation of active components utilizing dispersion technology.
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Coating technology
We are developing technology related to paint application and surficial coating. Specific activities include the development of functional inks and printing methods that are suitable for inkjet printing and screen printing, and efficient paint application technology.
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Coloring technology
We offer color designs as well as surficial designs and CMF designs* that add novel value in terms of tactile and other surficial qualities.
Applied technology development
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Development of coating agents
We have been honing its technological knowledge and skills – encompassing both basic and applied technologies – related to coating agents to optimize the what and the how of paint application methods for any and all surfaces that exist, by leveraging its elemental technology in dispersion, coating, and coloring mainly related to polymer materials.
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Ink development for inkjet printing
We have been conducting R&D related to inkjet printing technology and is capable of offering total solutions on primers, base coats, inkjet printing inks, and top coats that are suitable for various substrates. We also closely work with equipment manufacturers and thus can provide suggestions not only on paints and inks but also on print heads, printers, and other hardware. In addition, We are developing on-demand designs that take advantage of the features of inkjet printing in order to become a better total solution provider that can meet any decoration needs.
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Paintless technology development
As the name implies, paintless technology is the technology that adds functions and designs to the surfaces of materials without involving any paint application. This technology aims to achieve the types of functions that can be actuated and designs that can be expressed only with paints. We have been developing original decorative films and additives for plastic molding so that it can provide unique materials utilizing decoration methods that do not involve paint application.
Case Study
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Ink for inkjet printing
"NATOCO develops inks for inkjet printing that can be cured with UV radiation. Its original lineup of inks for inkjet printing – consisting of standard CMYKW inks, mirror-like high-reflector inks, and many others – allows NATOCO to provide clients with a wide selection of expression options in various types and styles."
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Self-healing film
NATOCO develops self-healing films, which repair themselves without requiring any equipment, by leveraging its reservoir of knowledge on self-healing coating agents that it has accumulated over the years. In addition to the advantageous self-reparative properties of Self-Healing Clear®, we supply films that can be used in plastic molding and processing.
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Plastic additive “polarization design”
NATOCO develops additives used in plastic molding by applying its pigment dispersion technology that has been refined in the field of paints. These additives allow for polarized design expressions that change appearance depending on the viewing angle, reflective light, and transmitted light, without using any paints.
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Plastic additive “dichroic design (black)”
NATOCO develops additives used in plastic molding by applying the pigment dispersion technology it has refined in the field of paints. The surface of a material produced using these additives appears black under reflective light but changes to a totally different color when light is transmitted from the back through the surface. Such unique expression that cannot be achieved with conventional paints is made possible by utilizing NATOCO’s paint know-how.
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Tactile paints
NATOCO develops desirable textures by leveraging the unique characteristics of its original proprietary polymers. By quantifying sensory qualities, NATOCO can create textures that provide sublime sensory experiences.
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Structure-controlled polymers
NATOCO conducts research and technological development involving structure-controlled polymers such as block, graft, and branch polymers. NATOCO can design and suggest polymers that have novel functional properties to meet the unique needs of each client.
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact us
with any questions or
inquiries about our various
products or to request a quotation.
