Asahi Kasei Medical to Build New Assembly Plant for Planova™ Filters

Rhea-AI Summary

Asahi Kasei Medical plans to expand its production capacity for Planova™ filters by constructing a new assembly plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan. This facility aims to enhance manufacturing automation and efficiency, with construction set to begin in Q3 2022 and completion expected in early 2024. The demand for Planova™ filters has surged due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the biotherapeutics market. Asahi Kasei Medical has been investing in production capacity to meet this demand, reinforcing its position as a market leader in virus filtration.

Positive

• Expansion of production capacity for Planova™ filters.
• Construction of a new smart factory designed for automation and efficiency.
• Increased demand in the biotherapeutics market due to COVID-19.

Negative

• None.

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Asahi Kasei Medical has decided to expand the production capacity of Planova™ filters by constructing a new assembly plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan. The new plant will be designed to realize a smart factory by accelerating manufacturing automation and digital transformation in order to enhance quality and production efficiency. The construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of the calendar year 2022, with expected completion in early 2024.

Planova™ Virus Removal Filters (Photo: Business Wire)

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the rapid growth of the biotherapeutics market and increased the urgent demand for Planova™ filters, which are indispensable to develop and commercially produce new drugs in pharmaceutical companies. Asahi Kasei Medical has been making significant milestones in expanding production capacity to meet such demands. This new assembly plant follows the investment announced in 2021 for the expansion of the spinning plant for Planova™ BioEX in Oita, Japan. As for the Planova™ N series filter, all six existing plants, including the spinning plant completed in 2019 in Miyazaki, Japan, have been operating efficiently to meet the increasing demand worldwide.

Asahi Kasei Medical is the global market leader in virus filtration, with its Planova™ filters having an unrivaled 30-year history of trusted use in the production of biotherapeutics. Asahi Kasei Medical aims to provide "Assurance Beyond Expectation" in the form of innovative yet exceptionally reliable bioprocess consumables, equipment, scientific support, and biosafety testing services to help biologics manufacturers safely and efficiently produce medicines that patients can trust.

Asahi Kasei Medical will continue to reinforce its global supply infrastructure for Planova™ through proactive investments in manufacturing facilities in order to support the early provision of vaccines and life-saving therapies to as many people as possible.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220215005597/en/

For more information, please contact:

Shizuka Nawa

Corporate Communications

Asahi Kasei Corp.

Phone: +81-(0)3-6699-3008

Source: Asahi Kasei Corp.

FAQ

What is Asahi Kasei Medical's plan for its production facilities in 2022?

Asahi Kasei Medical plans to construct a new assembly plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan to expand its production capacity for Planova™ filters, starting construction in Q3 2022.

When will the new assembly plant for Planova™ filters be completed?

The new assembly plant is expected to be completed in early 2024.

How is the demand for Planova™ filters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased the demand for Planova™ filters, which are essential for developing new drugs in the biotherapeutics market.

What are the key features of the new plant being built by Asahi Kasei Medical?

The new plant will focus on manufacturing automation and digital transformation to enhance quality and production efficiency.

What has Asahi Kasei Medical achieved in response to growing filter demand?

Asahi Kasei Medical has made significant investments in expanding production capacity to meet the urgent demand for its Planova™ filters.