Microza (TM) Hollow-fiber Membrane Selected for Singapore's Largest Wastewater Reclamation Plant

Asahi Kasei — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 12:00:18 +0900

TOKYO, Apr. 7 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp.
Microza (TM) Hollow-fiber Membrane Selected for
Singapore's Largest Wastewater Reclamation Plant
Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp. announced on April 7 that its Microza (TM) hollow-fiber membrane was selected for Singapore's largest wastewater reclamation plant, the Second Changi NEWater Plant (capacity: 288,000 cubic meters/day) with operation scheduled for start-up in October 2016.

Over the past decade, the government of Singapore has constructed several wastewater reclamation plants called "NEWater" plants in order to secure sufficient water resources. The NEWater plants use various types of microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes, including Microza (TM) hollow-fiber membrane at the Ulu Pandan NEWater Plant (capacity: 191,000 cubic meters/day; start-up: 2007) and the Bedok NEWater Plant (capacity: 73,000 cubic meters/day; start-up: 2008).

Microza (TM) was selected for the Second Changi NEWater Plant in recognition of its outstanding performance and reliable operation, after extensive evaluation and comparison of the performance of various membranes by UES Holdings Pte. Ltd., concessionaire of the project.

With this project, the market share of Microza (TM) will reach some 60% among UF/MF membrane systems for NEWater plants in Singapore, the world's largest wastewater reclamation market.

Outline of the Second Changi NEWater Plant:
Location:      Changi, Singapore
Capacity:      288,000 cubic meters/day
Concessionaire: UES Holdings Pte. Ltd.
Start-up:       October 2016 (scheduled)

About Microza (TM):
Microza (TM) hollow-fiber membranes made of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) exhibit outstanding physical strength and chemical resistance, with long-term stable performance in water treatment applications exceeding competing PVDF membranes. By enabling the complete removal of bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms such as cryptosporidium, Microza (TM) has gained the reliance and trust of customers as a substitute for the conventional processes employing coagulation, sedimentation, and sand filtration.

Future outlook for Microza (TM):
The global market for MF/UF systems is growing by some 10% annually, driven by serious environmental water quality issues and water shortages, as well as increasingly stringent wastewater regulations throughout the world. Asahi Kasei Chemicals is the world's leading supplier of MF/UF membranes, with its Microza (TM) membranes used at over 1,000 plants worldwide.

Microza (TM) holds the leading share of the US market for membrane-process water clarification systems, the world's largest market for such systems. Adoption of Microza (TM) has been growing firmly in many countries which face water shortages and growing needs for improved water quality, including China and other Asian countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, and Middle Eastern countries.

Asahi Kasei Chemicals will continue to contribute to solutions for a wide range of environmental problems related to water resources by achieving further growth in orders for large-scale water-treatment facilities throughout the world, particularly in Asian countries where the number and scale of such projects are forecasted to increase steadily.

Source: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp.

Asahi Kasei Holds Grand Opening Ceremony for New Solution SBR Plant in Singapore

Asahi Kasei — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:00:26 +0900

TOKYO, July 12 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Asahi Kasei Corp.
Asahi Kasei Holds Grand Opening Ceremony for New Solution SBR Plant in Singapore
Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp. held a grand opening ceremony on July 11 on Jurong Island, Singapore, for a new plant for solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR) which began commercial operation in April 2013.

(Photo: http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/asahi/en/news/2013/e130712.html)

Demand for tires with better performance such as fuel efficiency is growing rapidly especially in Asia, with tightening environmental regulations and increasing production of tires in emerging countries in line with greater motorization.

Being an optimal material for improving the balance of tire performance characteristics -- including good wet grip and fuel efficiency as well as abrasion resistance and handling stability  -- the modified S-SBR produced by Asahi Kasei Chemicals using its continuous polymerization process is widely recognized among tire manufacturers around the world.

To meet customer needs and ensure stable supply, we are constructing a second line at the same site, with its start-up scheduled for the first half of 2015. Asahi Kasei Chemicals will continue to expand S-SBR operations as strategic world-leading business, studying construction of other overseas plants following Singapore.

-- Overview of the Grand Opening Ceremony
Date:  July 11, 2013
Attendance:  Approximately 250
Notable attendees:
Mr. Lee Yi Shyan, Senior Minister of State for Trade & Industry and National Development, Republic of Singapore
Mr. Julian Ho, Assistant Managing Director, Economic Development Board, Republic of Singapore
Mr. Yoichi Suzuki, Japanese Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore
Mr. Taketsugu Fujiwara, President, Asahi Kasei Corp.
Mr. Yuji Kobayashi, President, Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corp.

-- Outline of the new plant
Company name:  Asahi Kasei Synthetic Rubber Singapore Pte. Ltd.
President:  Shigenori Konno
Location:  Tembusu district, Jurong Island, Singapore
Production:  S-SBR for fuel-efficient and high-performance tires
Capacity:  1st line: 50,000 tons/year,  2nd line: 50,000 tons/year (under construction)
Groundbreaking:  1st line: June 2011,  2nd line: April 2013
Start-up:  1st line: April 2013,  2nd line: the first half of 2015
Ownership interest:  100% owned by Asahi Kasei Chemicals

法人別リリース

Microza (TM) Hollow-fiber Membrane Selected for Singapore's Largest Wastewater Reclamation Plant

Asahi Kasei Holds Grand Opening Ceremony for New Solution SBR Plant in Singapore