SDC Technologies Expands R&D and Manufacturing Base in the United States
Expanding Business for Lens Processing Labs to Accelerate Growth in Vision Care Materials
2025.11.12
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo: 4183; President & CEO: HASHIMOTO Osamu) today announced that its subsidiary SDC Technologies, Inc. (Irvine, California, USA; President & CEO: Richard Chang), which manufactures, sells, and conducts research on high-performance coating materials and coating equipment, will be relocating its headquarters to Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
This expansion will significantly strengthen research and development functions as well as manufacturing capabilities, accelerating further business growth in the area of coating materials and lens processing equipment. The move to the new location is scheduled to be completed in October 2026.
New Office Exterior (Planned)
Since its acquisition by Mitsui Chemicals in 2008, SDC has achieved continuous business growth through the expansion of its self-produced coating materials and the broadening of its product portfolio through M&A. SDC has contributed to enhancing the functionality of eyeglass lenses by providing abrasion-resistant coatings that extend lens lifespan as well as high-performance coatings such as anti-fog and photochromic. Furthermore, it has contributed to improved operational efficiency in lens processing labs through the supply of lens processing equipment. Leveraging the coating material technologies and expertise cultivated to date, SDC provides sustainable, high-value-added products globally for use in automotive, construction, optical, medical and other fields.
As a leading company revolutionizing eyeglasses through lens materials, Mitsui Chemicals has been providing numerous lens materials worldwide to adapt to diverse needs, including the high-refractive-index eyeglass lens material brand MR™. With the expansion of the SDC base, we will promote the growth of the lens processing lab business and develop SDC's coating materials and equipment business into a pillar of revenue in the vision care materials business alongside MR™.
Overview of the new SDC headquarters
Location | Rancho Santa Margarita, California, USA |
|---|---|
Site area | 124.0 thousand sq ft (approximately 11.5 thousand m²) |
Overview | 【Summary】
➤R&D Lab: Consolidating and expanding research and development functions for high value-added materials and next-generation materials. In the future, considering utilizing it as an innovation creation base originating from the US West Coast for the Mitsui Chemicals Group. ➤Coating Materials and Equipment Production Area: Strengthening the global supply chain and establishing a safe, stable, and efficient production system to build a foundation that supports business growth. ➤Demo Space / Showroom: To strengthen the proposal capabilities for material and equipment solutions, a new application lab and product demo space will be established to enhance technical support and foster technical collaboration and relationships with customers. ➤Warehouse / Shipping Space: With the relocation, space will be expanded to establish a sustainable foundation that supports global distribution and supply chain resilience. ➤Initiatives to reduce environmental impact: Equipped with solar panels, it is possible to cover the majority of the electricity used at the headquarters with renewable energy. |
Schedule | Construction begins in February 2026, with relocation set for completion by October 2026. |
Company overview
| Company | Established | Ownership | Main business |
|---|---|---|---|
| SDC Technologies, Inc. | 1986 | Mitsui Chemicals (Mitsui Chemicals America): 100% | Development, manufacture and sale of anti-abrasion, anti-fog, anti-reflective, hydrophobic, oleophobic coatings and coating equipment |
Through the Vision Care Materials Division, Mitsui Chemicals will continue to pursue its commitment to product development aimed at vision correction and improving the health and comfort of the eyes, based on the concept of Quality of View (QoV).* This is in alignment with the Mitsui Chemicals Group’s effort to bring people a better view of the world.
* QOV
A measure of quality and satisfaction in all areas related to eyes and eyesight in our lives. The term encompasses vision optimization and comfort, ocular health, and measures to prevent optical diseases.
