What is iodine?
Iodine is one of the chemical elements—the most fundamental substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
On the periodic table, iodine is element 53, belonging to Group 17 and Period 5. It is a member of the halogen group, along with fluorine, chlorine, and bromine.
At room temperature, the crystal has a black-purple metallic luster. However, due to its sublimation property, it turns into a gas when heated without becoming liquid.
In nature, it is abundantly contained in seaweeds such as kelp and wakame seaweed.
What is it used for?
Iodine is used in a wide range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and industrial raw materials. Familiar examples include brown mouthwashes and TV and smartphone displays.
Iodine is an important nutrient for our bodies as well.
It is especially necessary to produce thyroid hormones, which are hormones that function to help regulate many of the body’s functions. An iodine deficiency can lead to symptoms such as fatigue and swelling of the neck (goiter).
Where is it produced?
In fact, Japan is one of the world’s leading iodine producers, with a 30% share of the global market (second in the world).
In addition, Chiba Prefecture accounts for about 80% of the production in Japan. Iodine is a precious resource that is produced only in some parts of the world.
Why do you get a lot of iodine in Chiba Prefecture?
Iodine is abundantly contained in seaweed. Ancient seaweed accumulated to form sedimentary layers, and plate tectonics carried these iodine-rich formations beneath southern Kanto. At the same time, methane generated by the decomposition of organic matter also accumulated there.
The result was the formation of the Minami Kanto gas field, a geological formation rich in iodine and methane. Iodine and methane are dissolved in groundwater and Nippoh Chemicals produces iodine by extracting this groundwater (brine). Chiba Prefecture produces a lot of iodine because it is an area where the groundwater (brine) can be recovered economically.
It is said that there are several hundred years’ worth of iodine reserves in the Minami Kanto gas field based on the current production volume (there are various theories).
What is natural gas?
Like oil and coal, it is a kind of fossil fuel and was created by the decomposition of ancient plants and animals over a long period of time.
The main component is methane (CH4), a molecule consisting of carbon and hydrogen, and it is colorless and odorless.
What is it used for?
Methane is the main component of city gas and is used as a fuel. When burned, it emits carbon dioxide (CO2) but less than coal or oil does, and is said to be a relatively clean fuel.
In particular, the natural gas extracted from the Minami Kanto gas field has an extremely high purity of 99% and is characterized by very low emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) when burned.
What is hydrogen cyanide?
At Nippoh Chemicals, the natural gas extracted together with iodine is used as a raw material for hydrogen cyanide production.
Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless, highly volatile liquid with a boiling point of just 26°C, meaning it readily boils at room temperature. It is highly toxic to most eukaryotic organisms. Hydrogen cyanide is often said to have an almond-like odor, but this actually refers to the fragrance of almond blossoms rather than the nutty aroma of the almonds themselves.
However, even such a dangerous substance is very important as an industrial raw material. Globally, 2.8 million tons are produced annually and used as a raw material for nylon and acrylic resin, as well as for plating.
What we do at Nippoh Chemicals
Nippoh Chemicals manufactures iodine compounds and cyanide derivatives using iodine and natural gas obtained from the Minami Kanto gas field.
They are supplied as raw materials in a wide range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, electronic materials, and functional resins.
