SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (President: Keita Kato; hereinafter “SEKISUI CHEMICAL”) announces that it will provide and install film-type perovskite solar cells to Umekita (Osaka) Station, to be developed by West Japan Railway Company (President and Representative Director: Kazuaki Hasegawa; hereinafter “JR West”).

  Film-type perovskite solar cells are a next-generation type of solar cell using a crystalline structure called perovskite. It is lightweight and flexible, enabling installation at various sites, such as building walls, roofs with limited load bearing, or curved surfaces such as vehicle bodies. It could also solve various issues faced in the production of conventional silicon solar cells, by means of features such as continuous production being possible through application etc., and no rare metals being required. It is expected that the spread of renewable energy will be accelerated, greatly contributing to achieving carbon neutrality.

  Ahead of the rest of the industry, SEKISUI CHEMICAL achieved outdoor durability of 10 years equivalent by means of original “sealing, film formation, materials and process technology,” creating a 30 cm-wide roll-to-roll manufacturing process. This manufacturing process has been successfully used to produce film-type perovskite solar cells with power generation efficiency of 15.0%. Currently, work is aiming to establish a manufacturing process for 1 m-wide rolls that offers more improvements in durability and power generation efficiency with a view to practical application and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) Green Innovation Fund is being leveraged to speed up development.

  JR West will open JR WEST LABO, an open innovation laboratory in Umekita (Osaka) Station, which will be fully opened in 2025. This laboratory will function as a field for co-creation with various partners. It will aim to achieve a sustainable society by creating new values and solving social and management issues while promoting cutting-edge technology to society.
*Outline of JR WEST LABO (Japanese) : https://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/items/220316_01_LABO.pdf

  SEKISUI CHEMICAL will install film-type perovskite solar cells in the public square of Umekita (Osaka) Station, which will be developed based on the theme of an “eco station that is environment-friendly and created together with visitors.” SEKISUI CHEMICAL will engage in co-creation as a JR WEST LABO partner to support JR West in achieving its first zero electricity-derived CO2 train station. As this is the first time that SEKISUI CHEMICAL will install these cells in a general shared facility, demonstration testing for sunshine and power generation volume will be conducted at the same time.

*May change going forward as a result of consultation with stakeholders
Picture provided by: JR West

  SEKISUI CHEMICAL set its vision statement as “Innovation for the Earth” in Vision 2030, our long-term vision. We announced that we support the basis of LIFE and will continue to create “peace of mind for the future” in order to realize a sustainable society. It will create innovation such as film-type perovskite solar cells that contribute to solving social issues and promote the social implementation of such technology by coordinating with other companies such as JR WEST LABO.
  Going forward, SEKISUI CHEMICAL will contribute to solving social issues to achieve sustainable growth for SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group and increase the sustainability of society, and work to continue to be trusted by all of its stakeholders.

About SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group

Headquartered in Japan, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (TSE: 4204) and its subsidiaries make up the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group. 26,000 employees in over 190 companies throughout 21 countries aim to contribute to improving the lives of the people of the world and the earth’s environment. Thanks to a history of innovation, dedication and a pioneering spirit, SEKISUI CHEMICAL now holds leading positions in its three diverse business divisions as well as top global market share in interlayer film, foam products, conductive particles and more.
Since its foundation in 1947, the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group has dedicated itself to social and environmental contribution and is now an internationally recognized leader in sustainability and environmental initiatives, having recently been selected as one of the Global 100 most sustainable companies. SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group will continue to maintain a strong corporate presence for 100 years and beyond.