Sumitomo Seika debuted Aqua Keep HP, a new superabsorbent polymer that features improved function over Aqua Keep, an earlier generation of superabsorbent polymers used for hygiene products including thin baby diapers and adult diapers where higher function is required.
 
The company says, generally, superabsorbent polymers are required to have two different functions; one is to absorb an abundance of liquid (higher absorption capacity) and the other is to retain absorbed liquid under load (higher absorption capacity under load). Since there is a trade-off between the two functions, Sumitomo Seika sought a solution to enhance both at the same time.
 
With the new production technology, the company significantly improved the polymerization process and optimized the polymer structure. Though previously unattainable by conventional technologies, the company’s new technology achieves higher function than ever before in both “higher absorption capacity” and “higher absorption capacity under load,” or otherwise controlling the two functions flexibly according to customers’ specific needs.
 
Aqua Keep HP will be produced at the company’s new locations currently under construction or at its existing location in Japan.