Zeon links with digital chemistry start-up to accelerate R&D

Tokyo – Zeon Corp. has invested in UK-based Chemify Ltd to support the use of automated digital chemistry in the development of new materials and compounds.

The partnership will focus on applying Chemify’s “Chemputation” technology to design and synthesise novel molecules for Zeon’s materials programmes, said the Japanese supplier 12 Feb.

According to Zeon, the system translates target molecules into “proven chemical code” that runs on robotic systems, enabling "fully automated design–make–test–analyse cycles.”

“By automating the end-to-end cycle from molecular design to synthesis and analysis, Chemify can... potentially achieve a 10-fold reduction in the time required from initial conception to compound synthesis,” Zeon added.

Chemify last year opened a fully automated laboratory facility, described as a “Chemifarm”, in Glasgow, designed to enable automated synthesis and rapid iteration of small molecules.

Zeon said the development of “novel, makeable molecules” is important in addressing challenges in areas including human health, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Through the partnership, Zeon aims to accelerate its digital chemistry initiatives and expand its ability to create new materials.

Under its Stage30 medium-term management plan, Zeon targets increasing the sales contribution of four growth areas — mobility, healthcare and life science, telecommunications & green transformation — to 48% of total sales by fiscal 2028.