Chem-wire Express Japan

10 March 2004 02:50  [Source: CWEJ]

Chem-wire Express Japan: Edition of 9 March

Basic and Fine Chemicals

The Agency of Natural Resources and Energy of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has decided to significantly lift subsidy rates in a bid to start full-scale support of energy-saving investment carried out jointly by multiple factories or plants at industrial complexes. It has also decided to abolish upper limits on these subsidies, and will incorporate the applicable measures in its budget requests for fiscal 2005. (Page 1)

Mitsubishi Chemical is to embark on the full-scale development of nano-composites combining nano particles and polymers. The company will strive to develop "dream materials" such as transparent resin composites which can act as a perfect substitute for the glass used in displays and window glass. (p. 1)

Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Ltd (FHP) announced on 8 March that it will construct a new factory for plasma display panels (PDPs) next to its Miyazaki site, boosting its maximum monthly output to 150 000 units. By 2007, the company's total PDP capacity will reach 250 000 units/month, making it the world's largest producer. (p. 1)

Zeon Corp has developed a new environmentally-responsible ether-based solvent called cyclopentene methyl ether (CPME). It has succeeded in synthesising cyclopentene and methyl alcohol through a pyrolysis reaction using a solid catalyst. The quantity of waste liquid generated during production is minimal. (p. 2)

As part of its measures to improve competitiveness at its petrochemical complex in Oita, Showa Denko is to start using gas oil, which is effectively to become tax exempt in July this year. It also intends to use other heavy feedstock more actively. (p. 2)

At the end of this month, Tohto Kasei will start full-scale operation of the multiplant for the production of special epoxy resins which it has installed within its Chiba factory (Sodegaura, Chiba Prefecture). It will manufacture special types of epoxy for sealant and laminates, and is capable of producing 600 tonne/year. (p. 3)

Sankyo Organic Chemicals is Japan's largest manufacturer of organic tin compounds produced with, for example, Grignard reaction technology. Capitalising on the platform it has developed up until now, it will develop new businesses targeting phosphorous, boron and silicon compounds and catalytic ligands. (p. 4)

Kanto Denka Kogyo is to withdraw from the business of magnetic alloy powder (MAP) used in video tapes and the like. Against the backdrop of changes in recording media, the Japanese domestic market continues to shrink, making it difficult for the company to secure profits and forcing it to stop production in June this year. (p. 4)

Special Issue: Ionic liquids. New chemicals called ionic liquids are attracting industrial attention in Japan. They consist of positive and negative ions alone, are liquid at room temperature, have flame retardant and non-volatile properties, and offer a variety of different products. (p 6)

The Asian acrylonitrile market price has continued to be rising. The price has gone up to $1000/tonne in some districts. Taking into account the soaring material prices and the tightening market position, the price is likely to go up and remain at around $1000/tonne in most places for the time being. (p 7)

The Asian styrene monomer market price had risen to $870-880/tonne by the middle of February and was expected to further rise to above $900/tonne, but the market has later become weak, pushing down the price to below $800-770 to 780/tonne. (p 7)

Every semiconductor-resist maker is trying to upgrade its products vis-à-vis an ArF eximer laser. The steps are in line with semiconductor device makers’ moves toward using their ArF lithography still longer to minimize equipment investment. Their major challenge is how to commercialize an ArF immersion lithography. (p 10)

Nippon Denko will accelerate application development of rare earth oxide nanoparticles. In particular, yttrium oxide used for fluorescents and other uses is the most promising product that may create a market on a substantial scale. In this situation, the company has begun to take actions to commercialise it. (p 11)

Life Sciences and Health Care

Burrill & Co (US) and Mitsubishi Corp will jointly sponsor on 20 April the First Japan Biotech Meeting at Grand Hyatt Tokyo. The meeting aims to make known the latest developments of the bioindustries worldwide and offer biobusinesses opportunities for business tieups. (p 1)

RIKEN and National Sagamihara Hospital have agreed to coordinate research on immune and allergic diseases. Under the agreement, RIKEN will work to elucidate the development mechanism of allergic diseases, and develop medications and therapies, while the national hospital will undertake phase-I and -II clinical tests to examine RIKEN’s research results. (p. 1)

Pfizer will push forward pharmaceutical operations in Japan by introducing 10 new drugs, including an antidepressant and anti-articular rheumatism agent by 2007. Pfizer’s acquisition of Pharmacia has expanded its pharmaceutical pipeline, adding its six priority areas with bone and joints. (p. 8)

Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals is now in “an off-crop season” in launching of new drugs, so it is concentrating on sales of its existing drugs. Its immediate challenge is to push sales of antibacterial agent Meropen so that it will become the top-seller in the Japanese carbapenem antibiotic market, outstripping Banyu Pharmaceutical’s Tienam. (p. 8)

Merial Japan will try to further increase sales of its veterinary drugs by adding an improved version of its top-seller Frontline anti-flea and -tick product for pets. Frontline has commanded the overwhelming share in the world market. The new version is Frontline Plus which is prepared by adding Frontline with insect growth regulator methoprene. It will be marketed via Nippon Zenyaku Kogyo. Merial Japan intends to keep the share of the two drugs in the anti-flea/tick drug market at over 70%. (p. 8)

Michio Muguruma, a professor at the agricultural department of Miyazaki University, Yamae Foods Co, Itoham Foods Inc and Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corp have jointly developed, using skin milk, a new miso-like functional seasoning material. It has four times greater ACE inhibition activity than miso as well as a higher calcium content. ACE inhibition is considered a key for treatment of high blood pressure. (p. 9)

Nichimo has found together with Tokorozawa Otolaryngologic Clinic that soy bean-derived isoflavon is effective for treatment of sudden deafness. This has been confirmed in clinical tests in which isoflavon was given to patients with the disease. Especially nearly 80% of such patients with dizziness who received isoflavon has recovered from such trouble. (p. 9)

Seikagaku Corporation said on 8 March its consolidated US subsidiary Associate of Cape Cod Inc was granted FDA approval of manufacturing at its new plant an endotoxin measurement reagent used for quality control in drug and dialyzer manufacturing plants, etc. (p. 11)

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