Asahi Kasei to Build a Second Plant for Ceolus™ Microcrystalline Cellulose

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Asahi Kasei's Specialty Solutions SBU will build a second plant for microcrystalline cellulose [1] (trade name Ceolus™) at its Mizushima Works in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan.

Asahi Kasei currently manufactures Ceolus™, a microcrystalline cellulose used primarily in pharmaceuticals as tablet binder [2], in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan.

Besides the standard-type product PH series, Ceolus™ has a lineup of KG series that greatly enhances the compactibility of tablets, and UF series that combines compactibility and flowability. These products provide solutions to a wide range of issues in the production of tablets for pharmaceuticals and supplements.

By using the KG series, tablets can be produced stably even when the amount of tablet binder that can be added is small, such as when tablets contain a large amount of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) or when multiple APIs are formulated in a single tablet.

The UF series realizes stable production of tablets as well as the uniformity of contained API in tablets, which depend on the excellent flowability of the product.

In recent years, demand for proprietary KG and UF series products has increased, and further growth in demand is expected in the future. To meet such growing demand, Asahi Kasei has decided to make a capital expenditure to double the production capacity and achieve a stable supply through multiple production sites. This expansion will enable Asahi Kasei to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical and supplement industries and to contribute to life and living for people around the world.

[1] Microcrystalline cellulose is a white powder made from natural pulp, mainly used as an excipient for pharmaceuticals and foods

[2] Tablet binders are additives used for the purpose of providing the shape and increasing the volume of solid tablets

Capital Expenditure
Location:	Asahi Kasei Corporation Mizushima Works
	Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Construction schedule:	Groundbreaking in September 2021
	Completion in Spring 2023
Investment amount:	¥13 billion ($126 million at ¥103/$)
Product:	Ceolus™ microcrystalline cellulose