Tanaka Group’s Fuel Cell Catalyst Shipment Marks Record in F2011

Tanaka Holdings announced on Tuesday the group company, Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo achieved the record high shipment volume of catalysts for fuel cells for 2 years in a row. The shipment volume index was 244 in fiscal 2011 ended in March 2012 against 100 in fiscal 2004. The shipment increased by 23.2% from fiscal 2010. Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo is the world top supplier of fuel cell catalyst.

The shipment volume index was 540 for catalysts used for Japanese home fuel cell system called Ene Farm. The shipment volume for Ene Farm increased by 67.2% from the previous fiscal year. Social consciousness rose on co-generation and electricity saving while Japanese government, gas and oil companies introduced incentives for Ene Farm introduction. In addition, smaller and cheaper Ene Farm was newly released. As total, Ene Farm shipment accelerated.

Tanaka’s catalyst shipment for fuel cell vehicles have leveled off in recent years. The shipment index hit 186 in fiscal 2006 while declined to 130-150 for fiscal 2007-2009. The index rebounded to 162 in fiscal 2010 but turned down to 144 in fiscal 2011. Automotive catalyst makers are trying to improve durability, performance and cost competitiveness of fuel cell toward the commercialization expected in or after 2015. Thus the catalyst shipment is stable for R&D usages for a while.