Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG Group) has concluded a license agreement with SNF Group regarding MCG Group’s N-vinylformamide (NVF) manufacturing technology. NVF is a raw material of functional polymers. Using the manufacturing technology licensed under this agreement, SNF will start the commercial production of NVF at its new plant in Dunkirk, France as of this June.

NVF is a monomer used as a material for papermaking chemicals, water treatment agents, and oil field chemicals. Having developed a unique NVF manufacturing process, MCG Group in 1993 became the world’s first company to use its own technology for the commercial production of NVF.

By making use of its intangible assets including intellectual property, MCG Group will contribute to the reduction of environmental impacts across a range of industries, including papermaking and water treatment.

SNF is a chemical company that has strengths in the design and manufacture of water-soluble polymers. Under the license agreement, SNF will become able to manufacture and process high value-added NVF monomers and derivatives, thereby helping papermakers to increase the strength, durability and recyclability of their products and contributing to the realization of a circular economy.