Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. has announced that it will increase the production capacity of its meta-Xylylene Diisocyanate (XDI) plant within its Omuta Works. Accordingly, this is in response to growing demand for hardeners used in hardly yellowing coatings. This would increase the expansion of domestic production capacity by 20 percent.

Meet Growing Demand

XDI is a special isocyanate that Mitsui Chemicals was the first in the world to produce on a commercial scale. XDI is already industry-proven for its high refractive index ophthalmic lens material. Thus, offering high durability and as a coating and functional material for its outstanding resistance to yellowing and quick-curing properties.

The company expects the demand of XDI will further increase to meet the changing needs of the quality of life. Furthermore, with the shift away from mixed materials particularly in items such as adhesives.

Moreover, there has been a growing need as well to meet particularly rigorous safety standards. These include special inks and coating materials used in solar cells and smartphones, and microcapsules. All of which require a high level of safety.

Therefore, Mitsui Chemicals is responding to this increasing demand by expanding the XDI plant within its Omuta Works.

Mitsui Chemicals’ Long-Term Business Plan, VISION 2030, includes a commitment to meet eco-friendly demand in the converting solution field. With this capacity increase, Mitsui Chemicals will continue to proactively build up its supply setup.

Strengthens R&D, Too

Earlier, Mitsui Chemicals announced its plans to establish new R&D base in Nagoya, Japan. In fact, the company expects to complete the construction in May. Based on the company’s track record, Mitsui Chemicals positions the soon-to-rise Creative Integration Lab to further promote co-creation with customers. Furthermore, to strengthen its ability to propose solutions. Thus, consolidating research environments and related evaluation equipment in the semiconductor and packaging fields.

Mitsui Chemicals has invested ¥3 billion (US$20.9 million, approx.) in the facility, which will rise inside Mitsui Chemicals Nagoya Factory in Aichi Prefecture.

Aside from seamless collaboration with stakeholders in the semiconductor and packaging fields, the company will also promote problem-solving ability and human resource development in the said facility.

Moreover, the facility will have an ICT test field and a co-creation building. The ICT test field will be equipped with a clean room, draft room, and reliability test room, among others. Here, it will consolidate process evaluation, and reliability evaluation, among others.