Notice Regarding the Acquisition of the Zelan™ Non-Fluorinated Repellents Business from The Chemours Company
— Inheriting top‑tier technology and further strengthening Nicca's water‑repellent solutions
Nicca Chemical Co., Ltd. (“Nicca”) hereby announces that it has entered into definitive agreements with The Chemours Company FC, LLC (“Chemours”), a global chemical company, to acquire Chemours’ Zelan™ non-fluorinated repellents business and related licenses of certain intellectual property and technology.
Chemours has decided to exit its Zelan™ non-fluorinated repellents business to best support its long-term Pathway to Thrive Strategy while helping to ensure continuity for customers who rely on these ZelanTM products. Under this strategic acquisition, Nicca will license the Zelan™ technology and related brands, which have been developed and refined over many years, ensuring a smooth and orderly transition to a company with strong expertise in textile finishing and water‑repellent technologies.
Importantly, sales channels, customer relationships, and methods of distribution for Zelan™ non-fluorinated repellents will, in principle, remain largely unchanged. There will be no material impact on existing customers or supply arrangements during the transition.
Zelan™ non-fluorinated repellents are globally recognized, high performance solutions that have been widely adopted in the textile market. They have also served as a benchmark for Nicca in its own research and development of water‑repellent technologies for textiles. Through this acquisition, Nicca will inherit top‑tier technology in the field, expand its product portfolio, and further strengthen its competitive position, supporting sustainable medium‑ to long‑term business growth.
- Background
In recent years, the apparel and sportswear industries have accelerated the transition to non-fluorinated water repellents, driven by increasingly stringent environmental regulations and heightened awareness among global brands and consumers. At the same time, achieving high levels of water repellency while maintaining durability, performance, and fabric hand feel remains a shared challenge across the industry.
For more than 30 years, Nicca has been at the forefront of developing water‑repellent technologies, offering the Neoseed™ series, which balances high water repellency, durability, and fabric aesthetics. These products have been adopted by leading apparel and sportswear brands in Japan and overseas and are positioned as a key product line driving the “E / Environment” pillar of Nicca’s medium‑term management plan, INNOVATION30, under its EHD (Environment, Health, Digital) focus strategy.
The Zelan™ non-fluorinated products business acquired by Nicca possess one of the most advanced technological capabilities and extensive application track records in the field of textile water repellents. By incorporating this technology into the Nicca Group’s portfolio, Nicca will be able to further broaden application ranges and performance options, enhance its ability to respond precisely to customer needs, and pursue additional market share growth.
- Overview of the Transaction
The transaction covers the Zelan™ non-fluorinated repellents business, including:
● Rights related to the manufacture and sale of Zelan™ products
● Relevant patents and technology licenses
● Trademark licensing rights (Zelan™, Teflon EcoElite™)
The Zelan™ non-fluorinated repellent technology was developed in 2015. By partially utilizing plant‑based raw materials, it achieves durability and high-water repellency comparable to conventional fluorinated water repellents. The technology has been widely adopted globally, particularly in outdoor apparel and sportswear applications.
- Future Outlook
Following the execution of the agreements and closing of the related transactions in March 2026, Nicca will receive transition support from Chemours for a defined period..
Leveraging Nicca’s global network, the company will continue to expand the market presence of the Zelan™ non-fluorinated repellents while also advancing the development of new products and applications utilizing this technology across a broad range of end uses.
- Impact on Financial Performance
The impact of this transaction on Nicca’s financial results for the current fiscal year is under review. However, the company expects the acquisition to contribute to the medium‑ to long‑term growth of its textile chemicals business.
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