Asahi Kasei Corp. : Construction of new acetonitrile plant in Korea
03/05/2012| 10:35pm US/Eastern
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Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp.
Asahi Kasei Chemicals has finalized a decision to construct a
new acetonitrile plant in Korea. The plant will have a
production capacity of 11,000 tons per year, and start-up is
scheduled for January 2014. Having a second production base for
acetonitrile, in addition to its Japanese base, will enable
Asahi Kasei Chemicals to assure a reliable supply of
acetonitrile as demand continues to grow rapidly worldwide.
Acetonitrile is produced by refining the crude acetonitrile
obtained as a byproduct of acrylonitrile (AN). It is mainly
used as a solvent in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, with
other notable uses including as analytical reagent and in the
field of agrichemicals. With an acetonitrile plant in Kawasaki,
Kanagawa, Japan, having a production capacity of 14,000 tons
per year, Asahi Kasei Chemicals is a major supplier to markets
in Asia and Europe as well as Japan. Strong growth in demand
for acetonitrile is forecasted, particularly for use in the
field of pharmaceutical manufacture. Asahi Kasei Chemicals had
therefore been examining how best to increase production
capacity and ensure reliable supply as markets continue to
grow.
A decision was made to construct a new acetonitrile plant at
Tong Suh Petrochemical Corp., Ltd., an Asahi Kasei Group
company in Korea, which is currently constructing a new AN
plant in Ulsan with startup scheduled for January 2013. The
acetonitrile plant in Korea will utilize crude acetonitrile
byproduct from the AN plants in Korea.
Having two production bases for acetonitrile, in Japan and
Korea, will enable Asahi Kasei Chemicals to provide reliable
supply to meet growing demand in the pharmaceutical industry
especially in India and China.
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