N.E.CHEMCAT
N.E. CHEMCAT is a Japanese precious metal catalyst manufacturer (founded 1964, JV of Sumitomo Metal Mining and BASF) producing automotive exhaust, chemical synthesis, fuel cell catalysts, and precious metal recovery services, serving all eight major Japanese passenger car OEMs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What N.E.CHEMCAT does
N.E. CHEMCAT CORPORATION is a Tokyo-headquartered, privately-held Japanese manufacturer of precious metal catalysts founded in 1964 as a joint venture between Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. and Engelhard Corporation (now BASF Corporation). The company operates three production sites in Japan — Numazu (Shizuoka Prefecture, est. 1970), Tsukuba (Ibaraki Prefecture, est. 2002), and a regional entity in Shanghai — and employs approximately 670 staff, with R&D accounting for over 20% of headcount. Its self-described positioning is "one of Japan's largest precious metal chemical processing manufacturers" (国内最大級の貴金属の化学加工メーカー), and it claims to be the only catalyst manufacturer supplying all eight major Japanese passenger car OEMs.
The company's product portfolio is organized across four business domains: automotive exhaust purification catalysts (gasoline and diesel, three-way catalysts, hybrid-specific models), chemical catalysts (hydrogenation, debenzylation, cross-coupling for pharma and fine chemicals), fuel cell catalysts (PEMFC electrode catalysts, reforming, PROX, desulfurization), and precious metal recovery/refining services for Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, and Au. Core technical differentiators include core-shell catalyst architecture (co-developed with Brookhaven National Laboratory, R&D 100 Award 2012), mesoporous carbon-supported platinum catalysts, the CHOIS-5D palladium catalyst (5wt% Pd loading, sub-1 ppm leaching), and proprietary precious metal load-reduction and recovery technologies.
N.E. CHEMCAT generates revenue through B2B direct sales of catalysts and precious metal recovery services to enterprise customers primarily in Japan, with international distribution supported by its BASF group affiliation. The company sells on multi-year direct contracts to enterprise OEMs, chemical/pharmaceutical producers, and fuel cell system integrators. Distribution leverages the BASF global network for overseas reach. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated directly with enterprise accounts.
N.E.CHEMCAT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- N.E.CHEMCAT
- Legal name
- N.E. CHEMCAT CORPORATION
- Website
- https://ne-chemcat.co.jp
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- N.E. CHEMCAT is a Japanese precious metal catalyst manufacturer (founded 1964, JV of Sumitomo Metal Mining and BASF) producing automotive exhaust, chemical synthesis, fuel cell catalysts, and precious metal recovery services, serving all eight major Japanese passenger car OEMs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
N.E.CHEMCAT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Precious Metal Catalysts
- NAICS
- Chemical Manufacturing (325), Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (3259), All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (325199)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Precious Metals & Catalyst Materials (PGM Catalysts) (IMAEAIAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental & Emissions Control Catalysts (DeNOx/DeSOx/DOC/CO Oxidation) (IMAEAIAC), Chemical Synthesis Catalysts (Hydrogenation/Oxidation/Acid-Base) (IMAEAIAD), Catalysts & Adsorbents (IMAEABAB)
Keywords
Where N.E.CHEMCAT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
N.E.CHEMCAT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Automotive Catalyst Sales: Development, manufacture, and sale of automotive exhaust gas purification catalysts for gasoline and diesel vehicles to major Japanese and global automotive manufacturers.
- Chemical Catalyst Sales: Supply of catalysts for fine chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, energy plants, and environmental applications (exhaust gas purification, wastewater treatment).
- Fuel Cell Catalyst Sales: Sale of electrode catalysts, reforming catalysts, PROX catalysts, and desulfurization agents for PEMFC and other fuel cell systems, including both residential and automotive fuel cell applications.
- Precious Metal Recovery & Refining Services: Recovery and high-purity refining of precious metals (Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Au) from customer-supplied spent catalysts. Also includes refining technology consultation and precious metal load reduction catalyst design services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B direct sales — no public pricing available |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
N.E.CHEMCAT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
N.E.CHEMCAT manufactures precious metal catalysts for four end uses: (1) automotive exhaust gas purification catalysts for gasoline and diesel vehicles; (2) chemical catalysts for fine chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and industrial synthesis reactions; (3) fuel cell catalysts (electrode, reforming, PROX, and desulfurization agents for PEMFC and FCV applications); and (4) precious metal recovery and high-purity refining of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, and Au from spent catalysts. Customers are major Japanese automotive OEMs and industrial chemical/energy/pharmaceutical companies, with international reach through the BASF distribution network.
Product overview
N.E.CHEMCAT is a leading precious metal catalyst manufacturer offering four core product lines: Auto Exhaust Catalysts (purifying vehicle emissions for all major Japanese automakers), Chemical Catalysts (for pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and industrial processes), Fuel Cell Catalysts (including core-shell and mesoporous carbon technologies), and Precious Metal Recovery services. The company also provides specialized products like CHOIS-5D palladium catalysts for hydrogenation, CPs-HP series scavengers for metal recovery, and CNovel™ core-shell technology developed with Toyo Carbon. The portfolio is built on贵金属化学加工 (precious metal chemical processing) expertise with R&D, manufacturing, and recycling capabilities across multiple industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CNovel™: Fuel cell catalyst developed jointly with Toyo Carbon; platinum-loaded electrode catalyst for fuel cells.
Products and services
- Automotive Exhaust Catalysts (自動車触媒) Exhaust gas purification catalysts for gasoline vehicles (CO, HC, NOx reduction) and diesel vehicles (CO, HC, NOx, PM reduction), supplied to all eight major Japanese passenger car manufacturers and select global OEMs. Includes three-way catalysts, NOx storage reduction catalysts, diesel oxidation catalysts, and related emission control solutions.
- Chemical Catalysts (化学触媒) Catalysts for fine chemicals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, and industrial plant applications, including hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, cross-coupling reactions, and other organic synthesis processes in powder, granular, and complex form factors.
- Fuel Cell Catalysts (燃料電池触媒) Electrode catalysts, reforming catalysts, shift catalysts, PROX (preferential oxidation) catalysts, and desulfurization agents for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC/PEMFC), including core-shell catalysts, mesoporous carbon catalysts, and platinum alloy catalysts for fuel cell vehicles (FCV) and stationary residential applications.
- Precious Metal Recovery & Refining (貴金属回収) Recovery and high-purity refining of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), and gold (Au) from customer-supplied spent catalysts, plus proprietary precious metal load reduction catalyst design technology enabling lower metal-content catalysts. Includes refining technology consultation.
- CHOIS-5D Palladium Hydrogenation Catalyst (5%Pd/C) Palladium hydrogenation catalyst for debenzylation and other reactions offering palladium load reduction from 10wt% to 5wt% with improved activity, room-temperature operation across broad solvent compatibility, Pd leaching below 1 ppm, multi-reaction capability (debenzylation plus concurrent olefin/nitro hydrogenation), and sulfur-tolerant nitro compound hydrogenation.
- CPs-HP Series Precious Metal Scavenger Precious metal adsorbent/scavenger reagent for recovering platinum-group metals and heavy metals from reaction solutions. CPs-HP50 series is liquid-specific; CPs-HP series covers broader pH range. Features high adsorption performance, stability from acid to alkaline pH, and good filtration.
- CNovel™ (クノーベル®) Platinum-Loaded Fuel Cell Catalyst Fuel cell catalyst developed jointly with Toyo Carbon, utilizing a novel carbon material for electrode applications. Platinum-loaded CNovel™ 'MH-18-PT50' is a registered trademark. Enables high durability and performance while substantially reducing platinum loading. Awarded the 2012 R&D 100 Award jointly with Brookhaven National Laboratory for the underlying core-shell technology.
- SA50BK / SA50BH Standard Fuel Cell Catalysts Standard fuel cell catalysts with over 10 years of mass production track record, available for small-quantity sales. Suitable for fundamental research, elemental research for new businesses, and other material research applications.
- Mesoporous Carbon-Supported Platinum Fuel Cell Catalyst Fuel cell electrode catalyst using a new mesoporous-structure carbon material, achieving high performance and high ECSA (electrochemical surface area). The carrier uses a durable S2-type carbon support, with customizable proposals available based on application requirements. Recent company research has clarified the degradation suppression mechanism of this catalyst.
- SPAIC Series Flow Synthesis Hydrogenation Catalysts Series of hydrogenation catalysts optimized for flow synthesis applications, with new lineup additions enabling efficient continuous hydrogenation reactions in flow reactors. Targeted at pharmaceutical, fine chemical, and other process manufacturers adopting continuous manufacturing.
- Printed Electronics Thick-Film Conductive Ink Thick-film conductive ink for printed electronics, applicable to large-current and large-area specifications. Jointly developed with an unnamed partner and released January 2024.
Quantifiable outcome
- Automotive exhaust harmful substance emissions reduced to less than 1% of 1990s levels over ~20 years in Japan through advanced catalyst technology
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use N.E.CHEMCAT
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
N.E.CHEMCAT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
N.E.CHEMCAT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization)coreSelected for NEDO's 'CO2 Emission Reduction and Effective Utilization Practical Technology Development' public solicitation. Joint project on CO2 emission reduction technology development using practical catalyst-based processes.
- Unnamed Printed Electronics PartnerminorJoint development of thick-film conductive ink for printed electronics applications, applicable to large-current and large-area specifications. Released January 2024.
- Japan Hydrogen Association (水素バリューチェーン推進協議会)minorIndustry association membership promoting hydrogen society construction through cross-sector collaboration. The association addresses infrastructure development, supply costs, and regulatory frameworks needed for hydrogen energy adoption. N.E.CHEMCAT participates to contribute to fuel cell and hydrogen technology advancement and policy advocacy.
- Toyo Carbon Co., Ltd. (東洋炭素)coreJoint development of the CNovel (クノーベル®) fuel cell catalyst utilizing a novel carbon material developed by Toyo Carbon. N.E.CHEMCAT is the exclusive manufacturer and seller of CNovel-based catalysts. The product was jointly announced in March 2021 and represents a strategic product for fuel cell applications.
- Brookhaven National LaboratorycoreJoint development partnership for core-shell catalyst technology for fuel cell vehicles. The collaboration resulted in the R&D 100 Award-winning core-shell catalyst which enables high durability and performance while substantially reducing platinum loading. Continued joint research relationship for fuel cell catalyst advancement.
- BASF Corporation (formerly Engelhard Corporation)coreN.E.CHEMCAT was established in 1964 as a joint venture between Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. and Engelhard Corporation (now BASF Corporation). The partnership provides global technology access, joint development capabilities (including core-shell catalysts and global automotive catalyst technology transfer), and access to BASF's worldwide manufacturing and distribution network. BASF group technologies and manufacturing expertise complement N.E.CHEMCAT's Japanese market leadership.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights6 records
N.E.CHEMCAT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cataler Corporation: Japanese automotive catalyst manufacturer (Toyota Tsusho group) supplying major Japanese OEMs. Direct domestic competitor to N.E.CHEMCAT in gasoline and diesel exhaust purification catalysts.
- Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. Japanese precious metals company with catalyst and fuel cell electrode catalyst operations, plus refining and recycling. Competes with N.E.CHEMCAT in fuel cell catalysts, chemical catalysts, and precious metal recovery.
- Johnson Matthey: UK-based global leader in precious metal catalysts, automotive emission control catalysts, and fuel cell technologies. Direct competitor to N.E.CHEMCAT in automotive, chemical, and fuel cell catalyst markets, with comparable technology depth and global scale.
- Heraeus Precious Metals: German precious metals and catalyst specialist with automotive, chemical, and fuel cell catalyst products as well as precious metal recycling. Comparable to N.E.CHEMCAT's precious metal chemistry processing model.
- Umicore: Belgian materials technology group with major automotive catalyst and fuel cell catalyst businesses, plus precious metal recycling. Highly comparable to N.E.CHEMCAT across all four product domains.
- Dowa Holdings: Japanese materials company with precious metal refining, recycling, and catalyst operations. Comparable to N.E.CHEMCAT's precious metal recovery and refining business, and a potential domestic partner/competitor.
Regional players
- Mitsubishi Materials: Japanese non-ferrous metals and materials company with precious metal recycling and catalyst-related businesses. Regional overlap with N.E.CHEMCAT in Japan-based precious metal recovery services.
Broad incumbents
- BASF (Catalysts division): Parent company and one of the world's largest catalyst manufacturers with broad automotive, chemical, and refinery catalyst portfolios. Overlaps directly with N.E.CHEMCAT in auto exhaust, fuel cell, and precious metal catalyst technologies, while also operating as a distribution channel.
- Clariant (Catalysts): Swiss specialty chemicals company with a significant catalyst business serving chemical, petrochemical, and emission control applications. Competes with N.E.CHEMCAT in chemical synthesis catalysts at a broader scale.
Others
- Sumitomo Metal Mining: Parent company of N.E.CHEMCAT; Japanese non-ferrous metals leader with global precious metals refining and battery materials operations. Provides precious metal supply and processing expertise to N.E.CHEMCAT while also being an adjacent industry participant.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
N.E.CHEMCAT social profiles
Digital presenceN.E.CHEMCAT compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
N.E.CHEMCAT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
N.E.CHEMCAT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
N.E.CHEMCAT subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
N.E.CHEMCAT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
N.E.CHEMCAT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about N.E.CHEMCAT
What does N.E.CHEMCAT do?
N.E.CHEMCAT manufactures precious metal catalysts for four end uses: (1) automotive exhaust gas purification catalysts for gasoline and diesel vehicles; (2) chemical catalysts for fine chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and industrial synthesis reactions; (3) fuel cell catalysts (electrode, reforming, PROX, and desulfurization agents for PEMFC and FCV applications); and (4) precious metal recovery and high-purity refining of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, and Au from spent catalysts. Customers are major Japanese automotive OEMs and industrial chemical/energy/pharmaceutical companies, with international reach through the BASF distribution network.
Is N.E.CHEMCAT a public or private company?
N.E.CHEMCAT is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was N.E.CHEMCAT founded?
N.E.CHEMCAT was founded in 1964. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is N.E.CHEMCAT based?
N.E.CHEMCAT is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does N.E.CHEMCAT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Automotive Catalyst Sales are the primary driver. The others are chemical Catalyst Sales, fuel Cell Catalyst Sales and precious Metal Recovery & Refining Services.
Who are N.E.CHEMCAT's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cataler Corporation, Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K., Johnson Matthey, Heraeus Precious Metals, Umicore and Dowa Holdings. Mitsubishi Materials is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are BASF (Catalysts division) and Clariant (Catalysts). Sumitomo Metal Mining is listed as an others.
Does N.E.CHEMCAT have an API?
No public API is recorded for N.E.CHEMCAT.
What industry is N.E.CHEMCAT in?
N.E.CHEMCAT's product category is Industrial Precious Metal Catalysts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAIAN, Precious Metals & Catalyst Materials (PGM Catalysts), with a secondary code of IMAEAIAC, Environmental & Emissions Control Catalysts (DeNOx/DeSOx/DOC/CO Oxidation). Its NAICS code is 325 and its SIC code is 2890.