Tokyo, May 22, 2012 - (JCN Newswire) - Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) and its Group companies continued to perform their aluminum can recycling activities in fiscal 2011 (April 2011 - March 2012), collecting approximately 6 million cans: equivalent to around 97 tons of aluminum when converted atthe rate of 16.2 grams of aluminum per can.

Showa Aluminum Can Corporation, a consolidated subsidiary of SDK, started aluminum can recycling activities in 1972. The activities spread across the Showa Denko Group in 2001, continuing until today.Thecollected aluminum cans are used by Showa Aluminum Can Corporation to produce aluminum beverage cans. The Group donates money resulting from the recycling activities to regional welfare organizations, charities, and volunteer groups that aid peoplewith special needs. Thus, the activities have taken firm root as part of the Group's efforts to contribute toward the good of society.

When aluminum ingot is produced from recycled aluminum cans, the process requires only 3% of electricity necessary for the production of ingot from ores by a refining/smelting process. Thus, the Group is promoting the recycling of aluminum cans for the purpose of conserving resources and energy as well. As of the end of last year, 8,123 employees, or 92.3%of all Group employees in Japan, participated in the activities.

The Showa Denko Group is addressing environmental issues as important matters for management. In addition to the recycling of aluminum cans, we use waste plastic as feedstock at our Kawasaki Plant, gasifying it for use as synthesis gas for ammonia production. We will continue various operations to contribute toward a recycling-based society.

About Showa Denko

Showa Denko K.K. ('SDK'; TSE: 4004, US: SHWDF) is a major manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving a wide range of fields ranging from heavy industry to the electronic and computer industries. SDK makes petrochemicals (ethylene, propylene), aluminum products (ingots, rods), electronic equipment (hard disks for computers) and inorganic materials (ceramics, carbons). The company has overseas operations and a joint venture with Netherlands-based Montell and Nippon Petrochemicals to make and market polypropylenes. In March 2001, SDK merged with Showa Denko Aluminum Corporation to strengthen the high-value-added fabricated aluminum products operations, and is today developing next-generation optical communications-use wafers. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp .

Contact:

Showa Denko K.K. (SDK)
IR & PR Office
Tel: +81-3-5470-3235

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