Mitsui Chemicals to Increase Production Capacity for Biocatalysts Used in Acrylamide Production

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo: 4183; President & CEO: HASHIMOTO Osamu) announced that Polaris Chemicals, Inc. (Wakayama; President & CEO: TOGASHI Kazuhiko), a subsidiary established in 2021, has begun production of biocatalysts used in the production of acrylamide.

Acrylamide is a raw material for polyacrylamide, which is in turn used as a flocculant for wastewater treatment, a paper strengthening agent and a crude oil recovery agent, among other applications. With global demand for acrylamide steadily growing, Mitsui Chemicals’ acrylamide production biocatalysts have built up a good reputation among acrylamide manufacturers around the world, boosting sales and creating a need to increase production capacity.

The corresponding production capacity increase will be implemented through Polaris Chemicals, Inc., a company established between Mitsui Chemicals and Kasano Kosan Corporation (Wakayama; CEO: KASANO Yasuteru). Kasano Kosan is a customer of Mitsui Chemicals’ acrylamide, taurine and other products. The new production facilities at Polaris are set to make use of the latest technologies and expertise from Mitsui Chemicals’ Omuta Works, the company’s mother plant for these operations.

The Life & Healthcare Solutions business strategy of Mitsui Chemicals’ VISION 2030 Long-Term Business Plan is driving the company to form a future pillar of business by cultivating new businesses in the area of living environments and aquatic environments. Through the production capacity increase announced today, Mitsui Chemicals aims to make major contributions toward society’s efforts to secure water resources and utilize sustainable resources, as well as toward its own goal of becoming the world’s number one manufacturer of acrylamide production biocatalysts.

Overview of Polaris Chemicals, Inc.

Location:  Wakayama
Establishment:  October 2021
Shareholders:  Mitsui Chemicals: 90%
Kasano Kosan: 10%
Representative   President & CEO: TOGASHI Kazuhiko (seconded from Mitsui Chemicals)
Production site:  Wakayama Factory (on the premises of Kasano Kosan)
Business:  Production of acrylamide production biocatalysts6