Asahi Kasei Chemicals Establishes Licensing Business for New Polycarbonate Production Technology

Copyright Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp.

Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp., a Japanese manufacturer of chemical products, has developed a unique method for manufacturing polycarbonate that does not require phosgene, a highly toxic compound. The company completed a test demonstration at its joint venture company, Taiwan's Chi Mei Asahi Corp., in 2002 and has launched a business to license the technology in foreign countries.

The new non-phosgene method has succeeded in eliminating harmful chemical substances and waste water, which were necessary in the conventional manufacturing process; in the new method, phosgene and methylene chloride are not used at all. The method also reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, according to the company's research, CO2 emissions can be reduced by 800,000 tons per year by utilizing CO2 emitted from other plants as auxiliary material.

The non-phosgene polycarbonate, "Wanderlite ®", commercialized by Chi Mei Asahi Corp., has a wide range of applications, such as optical discs, electric/electronic components, precision equipment parts, auto parts, sporting goods, grocery items and sanitary goods.

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Posted: 2009/12/24 06:00:15 AM