According to the company’s website press release on February 2, 2023, The Mitsubishi Chemical Group (the MCG Group) hereby announces that it has decided to establish a new facility at the Okayama Plant to enhance the production capacity of GOHSENX™ and Nichigo G-Polymer™, specialty brands of polyvinyl alcohol resin (PVOH resin). The facility is scheduled to start operation in October 2024.
GOHSENX™ and Nichigo G-Polymer™ are high value-added, PVOH resin products with various functionalities. GOHSENX™ is used for surface processing of thermal recording paper, emulsifiers, processing materials for silicon wafers for semiconductors and other applications. Nichigo G-Polymer™ is a material that possesses the water-soluble and compostable characteristics of PVOH resin, while also providing excellent gas barrier properties and melt processability. Used in the gas barrier layer of food packaging materials, the product prolongs the flavor and quality of foods, contributing to a reduction in food waste. Due to this functionality, the product is increasingly being used mainly in Europe. In addition, combining the product with the MCG Group’s compostable resin BioPBS™ and tie resins enables the design of all-compostable barrier packaging materials.
Currently, these specialty brands of PVOH resin are produced at the Kumamoto Plant. For building a stable supply system to meet growing demand, and due to aging production facilities, the MCG Group aims to double production capacity from the current level by newly establishing a facility at the Okayama Plant.
The MCG Group will continue to promote business expansion of performance products in focus markets such as foods and sustainability through the development of specialty brands of PVOH resin.
Location: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Okayama Plant (3-10 Ushiodori, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture)
Start of operation: October 2024
