ASAHI KAISEI CRP UNSP/ADR - AHKSY STOCK NEWS

Asahi Kasei Microdevices' Swedish subsidiary, Senseair, has developed Sunlight R290, a gas sensor for highly flammable R290 refrigerant (propane) in HVAC systems. The sensor ensures safe and accurate leak detection, meeting IEC 60335-2-40 safety standards. Key features include:

- High measurement accuracy: +/- 2.5% LFL
- Wide measurement range: 0-100% LFL
- Operating temperature: -40°C to 70°C
- Relative humidity range: 0 to 95%
- Expected service life: over 15 years
- Compact size: 34 mm × 21 mm × 12 mm
- Low power consumption: 94 μA

High-volume shipments are scheduled to begin in September 2024. The sensor addresses the shift towards natural refrigerants due to regulations on PFAS and F-gases.

Asahi Kasei Engineering (AEC) will introduce V-MO, a cloud-based predictive maintenance service for ocean vessel motors, at SMM 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. Developed jointly with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), V-MO uses vibration sensors to detect potential motor abnormalities, enabling proactive repairs and reducing vessel downtime. The system automatically collects and analyzes data, providing continuous condition monitoring without specialized knowledge.

Launched in May 2023, V-MO leverages AEC's 50+ years of vibration diagnosis expertise in plant engineering. In April 2024, MOL Ship Management Singapore decided to implement V-MO on its container vessels. AEC will showcase V-MO's hardware and cloud app at SMM 2024 in the Japan Pavilion, Hall B7.

Asahi Kasei’s latest global car user survey reveals significant shifts in brand loyalty and EV buying behavior across four key automotive markets: Germany, the USA, China, and Japan. The survey highlights that over half of car users in Germany and the USA, and 79% in China, are inclined to switch car brands. Generation Z shows the lowest brand loyalty.

Common complaints about current vehicles include poor gas mileage, storage, and excessive noise, influencing buyers to prioritize quality and running costs. In China, the desire to try new premium brands is a major motivator.

Despite growing market shares for pure electric vehicles (EVs), willingness to buy EVs has not drastically changed since 2020. In the US, willingness decreased by 14 percentage points due to fading subsidies and high costs. Technological advancements in battery performance, lifetime, and safety are important for wider EV acceptance.

Key EV purchasing factors vary by region: driving range in Germany, battery lifetime in the US, and safety in China.

Asahi Kasei announced the launch of a membrane system to produce Water for Injection (WFI), a type of sterile water used in injections, starting April 2024. Using their Microza™ hollow-fiber membrane technology, this system provides an alternative to traditional distillation methods, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and energy costs. The new system offers higher water quality and easier operation, with an endotoxin removal rate of over 99.999%. The company aims to facilitate a transition to membrane filtration processes, thereby enhancing environmental sustainability and operational efficiency in pharmaceutical water production.

Crystal IS, a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, has announced the successful serial production of 100 mm diameter single-crystal aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates with a 99% usable area. This marks a significant improvement from the previous 90% in Q1 CY24. The substrates are to be manufactured in the United States and will enhance the performance and reliability of UVC LEDs, RF, and power devices. The announcement follows the first-ever 100 mm diameter AlN launch in August 2023, which won the Grand Prize in the Semiconductor of the Year Awards. These substrates are set to accelerate the development of new applications and integrate seamlessly into existing fabrication lines.

Asahi Kasei has achieved a significant technological breakthrough in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by developing a high ionic conductive electrolyte. This innovation enhances power output at low temperatures and durability at high temperatures. The new electrolyte can reduce battery pack size, increase energy density, and lower costs. Prototypes showed high power at -40°C and double the cycle life at 60°C before reaching 80% state of health. Commercialization is planned for 2025, with global licensing to LIB manufacturers aimed at promoting more compact and cost-effective battery systems.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) has launched the CQ36 series, a new line of integrated circuits (ICs) designed for the robotics market. These ICs feature a built-in Delta-Sigma (ΔΣ) modulator, replacing traditional shunt resistors and isolated ADCs within a single compact package. AKM's CQ36 series promises enhanced precision, reduced size, and lower heat generation, making it ideal for next-gen robotics. The ICs have a 20% smaller mounting size and utilize high-sensitivity Hall elements for accuracy. These advancements position AKM as a leader in the robotics semiconductor market, with the company set to showcase the CQ36 series at PCIM Europe 2024.

Bionova Scientific, a U.S. biologics CDMO and subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Medical, has announced plans to establish a new plasmid DNA production facility in The Woodlands, Texas. This move aligns with Asahi Kasei Group's medium-term management plan, 'Be a Trailblazer,' and aims to leverage the expanding biopharmaceutical market. The new facility will focus on process development from early 2025 and GMP manufacturing from 2026. Bionova aims to support the growing demand for cell and gene therapies, mRNA vaccines, and antibody drugs by utilizing its established expertise and network. The global plasmid manufacturing market is expected to grow at double-digit rates, presenting a significant business opportunity.

Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) and Silicon Austria Labs GmbH (SAL) have successfully completed a proof of concept (PoC) for eFuse technology in high-voltage applications using silicon carbide (SiC) power devices. This innovation aims to replace mechanical fuses in electric vehicles, offering enhanced safety and reduced maintenance costs. The coreless current sensor CZ39 series, developed by AKM, features a response time of 100 ns, enabling rapid overcurrent detection and system shutdown. The eFuse system is particularly useful for next-generation high-voltage EV systems, such as on-board chargers (OBCs). AKM and SAL anticipate a positive market impact and plan to present their findings at PCIM Europe 2024.