The history of the development

Photocatalyst is the world-class environmental cleanup technology, which was developed in Japan. It is very friendly to humans and environment.
This is the history of the development of Sagan Coat.

• Before 1950’s
  It was known that metals oxide, such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide, develop the reaction of photooxidation.
• In 1967
  Dr. Honda and Dr. Fujishima of the University of Tokyo found that the very new photocatalysis in which water is decomposed into oxygen and hydrogen. It was named Honda-Fujishima Effect. （※Dr. Fujishima Profile）
• In 1969
  This phenomenon was published in "Journal on Industry and Science". However, there was no great response.
• In 1972
  Honda-Fujishima Effect was introduced in the American Journal “Nature,” and it got a lot of attention from scientist in the world. Then, the study on decomposition and detoxification of organic substances by photocatalyst was started.

• After 1980's
  Photocatalyst had been introduced as “the catalyst, saving the world from the crisis” in many newspapers and magazines.
• After 1990's
  Fujishima Institution (Fujishima Kenkyujo) and TOTO started studying titanium oxide for practical use.
• In 1994
  TOTO put the antibacterial and antifouling tile by photocatalyst into practical use, and started selling it.
• In 1996
  Mak Max (Taiyo Tento) developed and started selling the tent which utilized photocatalyst.
• In 1999
  Seiwa Industry (Seiwa Kogyo) developed the air purifier which utilized photocatalysis to decompose organic substances. Dr. Ichinose, a director of Saga Ceramic Research Laboratory, obtained the patent.
• In 2000
  Aqueous titanium oxide was commercialized after the license to use the patent was granted.
• In December 2003
  Kon Corporation obtained the license to use TOTO’s patent for Sagan Coat application business.
• In June, 2004
  The hybrid series, TPX-HL、TPX-VB、TPX-AD、TPX-HP, were commercialized.
• In June, 2004
  Kon Corporation obtained the license to use the patent of Shaga prefecture.
• In August, 2005
  Kon Corporation obtained the license to use the patents of National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) for photocatalyst.
  TPX-HP (Clear ) and PTA-FJ were commercialized.
• In August, 2006
  The department of photocatalyst products, Yoshimoto Tochitatemono Co. Ltd was set up, and made the business alliance with Kon Corporation
• In December, 2006
  The Laboratory of Zoonoses, Kitasato University School of Veterinary Medicine, conducted the laboratory test concerning the virus titer lowering ability of photocatalyst. The number of the bird flu virus was decreased by 99.99% 48 hours later.
• In May, 2007
  Kon Corporation co-developed the photocatalyst coating agent, TPX-ID, against VOC, with Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute, and released it.
• In July, 2009
  Kon Corporation obtained the patent for visible light photocatalyst.
• In February, 2010
  Kon Corporation obtained the PIAJ approval for the coating agent, TPX-85, as the photocatalyst products
• In May, 2011
  Sun Bless Inc. was established.
  The department of photocatalyst products, Yoshimoto Tochitatemono Co. Ltd was spun off.
• In February, 2012
  Yoshimoto Tochitatemono obtained the patent for the photocatalyst spray “Virus☆Clear”
• In April, 2012
  Kon Corporation obtained the PIAJ approval for the coating agent, TPX-HL as the photocatalyst product.
• In 2012
  “King Coat” and “Queen Coat” were started selling as the coating agent for cars.