■　Materials Supporting a Hydrogen Society

Hydrogen is expected to serve as a next-generation energy source that has the potential to contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions. Its widespread adoption requires the development of a supply chain spanning production, transportation, storage, and utilization. As countries around the world explore the use of hydrogen, the AGC Group supports both the “production” and “utilization” of hydrogen through its materials technologies.

In the area of hydrogen “production”, AGC provides FORBLUE™ S-SERIES, a fluorinated ion-exchange membrane, and FORBLUE™ i-SERIES, a fluorinated electrolyte polymer dispersion. FORBLUE™ S-SERIES is a membrane material used in water electrolysis systems for hydrogen production and features world-leading voltage performance and gas barrier performance. Its voltage performance helps reduce power consumption during hydrogen production, while its gas barrier performance contributes to the safe operation of water electrolysis systems. AGC has been offering this material since 2017, initially through pilot sales.
Furthermore, the FORBLUE™ i-SERIES has been adopted as an electrode material for a 5 MW-class PEM water electrolysis demonstration system installed at Hydrogen Park at the Toyota Motor Corporation's Honsha Plant, where it is currently being evaluated under actual operating conditions.

In the area of hydrogen “utilization”, FORBLUE™ i-SERIES, AGC’s fluorinated electrolyte polymer dispersion, has been adopted as an electrode material for fuel cell vehicles such as Toyota Motor Corporation's second-generation MIRAI, which generates electricity from hydrogen.

■　Initiatives Toward a Circular Economy for Fluorine Resources

AGC is also working to promote the circular use of fluorine resources, the starting raw materials for fluorochemical products. It recovers and recycles fluorine contained in waste generated at its own plants. AGC also uses recycled circular fluorite produced from fluorine-containing by-products generated by the semiconductor industry and other sectors. Furthermore, AGC is working to develop a system for the collection and recycling of used FORBLUE™ products.

Under its medium-term management plan AGC plus-2026, the AGC Group has positioned “Deepening Sustainability Management” as one of its key strategies. Through its exhibition at the COP31 Japan Pavilion, AGC will showcase the value of its products supporting a hydrogen society and its initiatives toward a circular economy for fluorine resources used as raw materials for these products, thereby contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.

REFERENCE
・　COP31 JAPAN PAVILION official website: https://www.copjapan.go.jp/cop31en/
・　For additional information regarding AGC Group’s initiative toward a circular economy for fluorine resources, please refer to our website:
　　https://www.agc-chemicals.com/jp/en/company/vision/innovationstory/vol02/