Particle microstructure control and its assembly structure control are key issues for achieving high quality advanced materials. In this paper, manufacturing process of advanced ceramics using raw powder materials is discussed to make clear the role of powder structure control for high quality materials. On the other hand, individual particle structure control is also important to develop functional particles and the advanced materials by controlling its assembly structure. In this paper, processing technology of composite particles is introduced to explain the roles for developing advanced materials.

Society’s interest in building a resource-recycling society, including circular economy, is increasing nowadays in SDGs and carbon net zero era. Although there are various physical, physicochemical, and chemical separation in the powder process technology for resource recycling, all of them must meet the major constraints of energy and resource conservation. To balance the reduction of environmental load such as carbon neutrality with resource recycling, it is necessary to develop various separation technologies that support multiple resource recycling loops in the concept of circular economy. As an example of such an approach, this paper introduces the development of recycling technology for lithium-ion batteries, for which demand is expected to increase exponentially because of carbon neutrality promotion. We introduce examples of the development of recycling technology for the two different recycling loops; one is separation technology for outermost loop of the circular economy concept, and another is the direct-recycling technology of cathode active material particles in the inner layer of the circular economy concept.

Solid electrolytes provide not only high reliability but also high energy density and power density to lithium-ion batteries, because they are nonflammable and only lithium ions are mobile species in solid electrolytes. Essential materials to realize solid-state batteries are solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivities. Vigorous studies have increased the ionic conductivities in various solid electrolyte systems to be comparable to that of organic-solvent electrolytes employed in current lithium-ion batteries. However, even such high ionic conductivities do not lead to high performance of solid-state batteries without interface between the battery materials showing fast ionic conduction. Powder joining technologies are very important to form the conductive interfaces, which will be established by collaboration between materials and process researchers.

The Direct Methane Reforming (DMR) reaction is a clean reaction which forms “Turquoise hydrogen” and carbon materials of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and so on using methane gas with iron-based catalysts etc., and it will be a process that can contribute to a carbon-neutral society. We will introduce the properties of hydrogen and CNTs created by various reaction conditions of DMR with the high-activity iron-based catalysts which are newly synthesized by us.

The development of energy-efficient products is an essential responsibility of companies manufacturing and selling industrial equipment. This paper reports on the energy-efficient hot air jet mill and the ACM-F, the latest model of the impact pulverizer ACM with built-in classifier, which was developed considering energy savings. It also presents an overview of the HOSOKAWA GEN4 RM, a remote monitoring and data collection system that was launched as a first product towards improving the efficiency of the entire plant.

The IoT has a SoS nature that creates additional new value by connecting with the IoT used in other equipment, resulting in a ‘connected world’. In factories handling powders in the connected world, online and in-line monitoring of the condition of powders and equipment, as well as their condition, is essential for quality inspections to check whether products meet shipping standards, or for both minimizing energy consumption and maximizing throughput during the production of products and raw materials, and for systems to analyze big data are essential. However, there are currently a number of problems that stand in the way of bringing measuring equipment online. This paper addresses these issues in order to provide seeds for powder engineering, and also introduces the remote monitoring system that is part of the IoT integration framework HOSOKAWA GEN4 for powder processes.

The necessity of global warming countermeasures is recognized worldwide, and various efforts are being made in Japan, such as reducing CO₂ emissions. In particular, factories emit a large amount of CO₂, which has a large impact on global warming. Therefore, we would like to introduce our DRYMEISTER^® (hereinafter referred to as DMR) superheated steam closed circuit system as a drying technology that can save energy and reduce CO₂ in the drying process of factory equipment and is a countermeasure against global warming. This system is characterized by the reuse of hot air that has been discharged into the atmosphere at a relatively high temperature after being used for drying.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), known as a raw material for PET bottles, has recently been used for other applications. Solid-state polymerization (SSP) is often required to obtain final product quality. As a pioneer of PET SSP facilities in Japan, we present an overview of this process.

Today, the hair-growth agent market continues to expand as the range of user base broadens. High efficacy that brings noticeable changes in hair is the key point for consumers to select hair restoration products. To achieve that, we examined to maximize the performance of our products by picking out effective materials and delivering them to pores. We tested ingredients through cell experiments and improved their functionality with our PLGA nanoparticles (PLGA NP) technology, which excels in pore penetration and durability.

Recently, masks have become a must-have item due to the COVID-19 problem. The eye area not covered by mask, especially the eyelashes, has become an important part of a person’s first impression. In recent years, human stem cell culture supernatant has been attracting attention as a new cosmetic ingredient born from regenerative medicine technology for the purpose of growing eyelashes thicker and longer. The various growth factors and cytokines contained in the supernatant powerfully activate cells involved in hair growth, producing a strong hair-growing effect. However, due to the large molecular size of the supernatant contents, it has been difficult to penetrate the supernatant contents to the cells deep inside the pores, the target site for eyelash hair growth. In this paper, we focus on this human stem cell culture supernatant and report on its eyelash growth effect by combining it with PLGA nanoparticles’ DDS (Drug Delivery System) technology we have built which can deliver supernatant contents to the target site well.

The Parshe Analyzer^® is the latest dynamic image analysis device that measures the shape and size of particles from captured images. The sample liquid is controlled in the form of a thin sheet by optimizing the flow. It is possible to observe a large number of particles and measure the shape of particles with high accuracy in a short time, with the focusing lens on the center of sheet-shaped sample liquid. Furthermore, a clear particle image can be obtained with the automatic focus adjustment method.

HOSOKAWA GEN4 RM is one of the services in GEN4 series. HOSOKAWA GEN4 RM is a system that realizes Remote Monitoring, which enables real-time quality control and facility management. Equipment operation data can be accumulated and utilized as management resources. It can be used as a gateway to digitalization.

As the new hair tonics in our best-selling haircare brand, “NanoImpact^®”, we introduce “NanoImpact^® 8” and “NanoImpact^® 8 LADY”. These are the 8th generation products in the brand. Only the best ingredients have been selected to maximize the effect of the products. The blend of well-picked ingredients with our nanotechnology rejuvenates the scalp and hair and keeps them healthy.

“NanoCrysphere^® Eyelash Serum” sold by Hosokawa Micron Cosmetics Corporation has been renewed. In collaboration with M Regenerative Clinic, we added several new selected ingredients involving very high-performance human stem cell culture supernatant manufactured by the clinic to the product to enhance its beauty and hair-growth effects over previous products.

HOSOKAWA MICRON CORPORATION manufactures and sells powder processing equipment required in many manufacturing industries. Our lineup includes a wide variety of equipment for powder processing, such as milling and classifying equipment to make raw materials finer and to adjust particle size, mixing equipment to mix two or more raw materials, drying equipment to dry wet materials, dust collectors to collect pneumatically conveyed products, granulation equipment to improve the handling of fine materials, and particle design equipment to add new functions to raw materials. We manufacture and sell more than 200 models of powder process equipment, ranging from small equipment for experimental use to large equipment for production use, according to the required processing volume and purpose. The division responsible for marketing, manufacturing, and sales of these systems is the Powder Processing System Division. We provide equipment and systems to customers in a wide range of markets, including minerals, chemical products, food, recycling, electronic components, and automotive materials. In addition, the Pharma & Lab Division, which has expertise in the measurement equipment we manufacture and sell, and the equipment for pharmaceutical-related applications that require validation, conducts sales activities.

After Sales Division is engaged in sales and repair of parts, alteration of machinery and system improvements in order to solve the issues about powder processing. Our main purpose is to provide the best solution to develop a trust relationship with the clients by increasing the number of alterations tailored to customer specifications. Our domestic branches are located in Osaka, Tokyo, Nagoya, and Shimonoseki and also, the overseas branch is located in Malaysia for following-up of Southeast Asian clients. Experienced engineers provide a fast response to enquiries and deliver skilled reliable repairs and maintenance services for a single piece of equipment or your full process line.

Our Toll Processing business responds to customer’s specific production needs under strict quality control, based on various experiences and know-how in powder processing technologies that Hosokawa Micron Corporation has cultivated for over 100 years.

Our business mission is to support our customers’ business opportunities with a variety of powder processing, such as small-scale test process for research and development, bridging production process until the start of equipment operation, and mass production process that replaces production lines.

Material Business Division possesses advanced PLGA (Poly-Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) nanoparticle technology having DDS (Drug Delivery System) characteristics. The PLGA nanocapsule proposed and provided by us have already been applied to not only drug formulation but also cosmetics, quasi-drugs, medical devices such as stent and balloon catheters. Since 2004, we have launched to sell both a functional skincare cosmetic brand “NanoCrysphere^®” and a haircare brand “NanoImpact^®” with the PLGA nanocapsule. Currently, we are also promoting ODM productions and sales for various types of unique cosmetics such as powdery serum and eyelash serum, etc., utilizing our PLGA nanocapsule technology.

In September 2022, Hosokawa Micron Cosmetics launched the 8th generation hair restorer “Medicated Nano Impact 8”. Currently, we are expanding TV commercials and Internet advertisements nationwide, and have succeeded in cultivating a new customer base. This time, we reviewed the prescription from the beginning and improved the power by optimizing the ingredients. It also includes an environmentally friendly perspective and improvement elements to improve customer usability by changing to environmentally friendly SDGs compatible packages and installing a slit on the side of the container to check the remaining amount.

In addition, with the support of increasing demand and attention to eye care, which is based on wearing a mask, the successor to the eyelash serum “Eyelash Serum” was also released in September 2022. This time, we collaborate with M Saisei Clinic, which specializes in regenerative treatment using stem cells derived from adipocytes. By blending “human fat-derived stem cell conditioned culture medium (hereinafter referred to as stem cell culture medium)”, we have improved the power to those that can be expected to have higher effects in eyelash care.

Under the influence of the new virus worldwide, there are concerns that consumers will not be willing to buy. We will continue to carry out efficient sales promotion activities by taking advantage of mail-order sales that can be purchased even at home. By providing products that utilize the world-class nanoparticle technology of the Hosokawa Micron Group to general consumers, we will continue to study and work every day with our corporate motto to improve the quality of life (QOL) in your social life.

Hosokawa Micron has been importing and selling powder coating machines using environmentally friendly “Powder coatings” since 1979 from German company “Wagner”. In 1997, Wagner-Hosokawa Micron Ltd. was established as a joint venture company with Wagner. Powder coating is not only safe because it does not use solvents, but it is also a highly promising coating field where over sprayed paint (unpainted) can be recycled.

Hosokawa Alpine Poland Sp. z o.o. (HAPL) is undergoing a constant development. We are listening carefully to our customer needs and trying to find ways to meet and exceed their expectations. Our goal is to increase market presence as well as take good care of existing clients. We want to build strong business partnerships by providing premium services from start to finish.

ICT Digital Promotion Division is a new division that combines the former ICT Strategy Group of Business Strategy Division and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) Development Section of Powder Technology Research Institute, and aims to strongly promote development and market entry of HOSOKAWA GEN4 based on DX (Digital Transformation) and IIoT technology. This division consists of two groups: Core and Information System and Creative Development.