100 Stories1980 Birth of the Petrochemical R&D Laboratory (now the Chemistry & Chemical Process Laboratory), which has produced many recipients of medals.

In Asahi Kasei's 100 year history, many people have been awarded medals, including the Medal with Purple Ribbon and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for their achievements. Of all of the Medal with Purple Ribbon awarded to people from Asahi Kasei, established in Mizushima, more than half of them were from the Petrochemical R&D Laboratory.

Asahi Kasei's first plant was built in Nobeoka, then the company expanded to Suzuka and Kawasaki in the 1950s, spreading to the Tokai and Kanto regions. However, Kawasaki's production capacity was gradually approaching its limit. Therefore, it was decided to construct an ethylene production center in Mizushima for the retroactive production of raw materials, conversion of manufacturing methods for chemical products, and integrated production from raw materials.

This plant was the forerunner of the Petrochemical R&D Laboratory.

An indispensable part of the story of the birth of the Petrochemical R&D Laboratory is the presence of Masashi Kono, who became the first director of the center. Kono was keenly aware of the importance of creating the company’s own petrochemical technology, as Asahi Kasei implemented many different technologies. He went to the head office to stress the importance of R&D in petrochemicals, which led to the establishment of the Petrochemical R&D Laboratory.

Kohno would later influence many researchers and engineers; his words of advice are surely engraved on the hearts of many researchers. He said,

“Don't overdo it with the research and technology reports. Don't stand tall. Technology must be based solely on facts from the research. If you make a report based on even the slightest bit of wishful thinking, it will be assumed to be the truth, and as a result, you will have lied. Researchers and engineers must not lie about their research findings.”

He was always strict about his research, and he was always twice as enthusiastic about it than anyone else, and he usually had a warm personality that kept a smile on everyone’s face. He loved to talk, and rather than stay in his office, he would stand with the laboratory staff and discuss technical issues, sharing his wealth of knowledge. Kono, who was also a good cook, would invite the engineers to his home and treat them to a feast while they discussed technology with him. The employees at that time said that this was an important educational experience for the young researchers.

At the Petrochemical R&D Laboratory, Kono's intention was to provide ample facilities for researchers to conduct various experiments. At the time of construction, he personally spread out the design drawings on his desk and poured over them. The building, research facilities, and analytical equipment were state-of-the-art at the time, and the thick walls were made to withstand explosive experiments. There was also a workshop where students could create their own experimental apparatuses, and the abundance of literature and books was unparalleled, creating an environment where useful information could be easily collected, even in an age before the widespread use of the Internet.

In this enriched environment, Kono's passion grew even more fervent. In addition to study groups at the research institute, he also held study groups and training camps in Mizushima for engineers who he felt had something to offer to other divisions of the organization. Taketsugu Fujiwara, who later became the company president, was a member of this study group.

Each member gave a presentation on his or her own research and studies. In compiling all of this research, he was often met with a great deal of his own ideas. Kono's report, "Future Prospects for Mizushima's Petrochemical Industry," handwritten on B-4 paper, became a masterpiece that has been read by many trainees.

In addition to the study groups held in Mizushima, they also held study groups in the form of a training camp, picking up people from across the company. Asahi Kasei's brilliant engineers gathered at these study groups to inspire each other and to aspire to great things.

While Kono himself was quite accomplished in his R&D, his enthusiasm was surely passed on to his researchers. After Kono retired, Mizushima continued to industrialize the technologies and themes that had been born and nurtured under Kono's direction. Methylal, cyclohexanol , polycarbonate, and polycarbonate diol were all successfully industrialized. This level of success is a rare example in the industry. This success was led by employees who were under Kono's tutelage at the time.

In addition to his own prolific R&D achievements, Kono nurtured many excellent researchers and engineers. He is known within the company as the founder of Asahi Kasei's R&D; he had a tremendous influence on young talent at the time. The fact that he his influence has since produced many recipients of medals, many of whom came from his research laboratory, is a testament to his achievements.

The Petrochemical R&D Laboratory played a very important role in Asahi Kasei's research. Behind the birth of the Institute was the insatiable spirit and enthusiasm of its first director, who inspired and inspired researchers with dreams and hopes for creating world-class technology.

Expectations of Young Engineers
1. We are no longer in the era of technology implementation
2. Challenge yourself to learn things that you don't know
3. New business opportunities exist wherever academic progress is made. Biotechnology and electronics
4. Be proactive in pursuing new specialties. Don't be limited by your own specialty
5. Overly-zealous people destroy companies. All of our business are “aging” at 20-30 years in age: synthetic fibers, petrochemicals, steel, and petroleum refining. Diversification and Restructuring
6. Businesses that cannot take their factories to Europe and the U.S. are out of their depth.
7. Not all predictions will come true. Walk on your own two feet with courage.