Showa Denko Gas Products Co., Ltd. (SGP), a consolidated subsidiary of Showa Denko K.K. (SDK; Tokyo, Japan; www.sdk.co.jp) headquartered in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, has decided to establish a new plant to produce liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in Showa Denko’s Oita Petrochemical Complex located in Oita City, Oita Prefecture. SDK and SGP plan to make the new plant utilize stable CO2 gas sources in the chemical plant of the Complex. The new plant is scheduled to be completed and start operation in August 2018, and will have annual production capacity of 15,000 tons. Foundation of the new plant will make SGP’s liquefied CO2 gas production system have two production bases in Kyushu region.
The Showa Denko Group produces and provides liquefied CO2 gas and dry ice at many production bases including the Kawasaki Plant, which functions as the main base. To solve tight supply-demand situation and regional supply-demand imbalances concerning liquefied CO2 gas and dry ice, and to maintain stable supply of these products to customers throughout the country, the Showa Denko Group has been increasing production of them at Kawasaki Plant, supplying them through long distance transportation, and importing dry ice even in off-peak seasons other than summer until now. However, substantial rises in transportation and raw material costs are problems to be solved as soon as possible.
Taking advantage of the strengthened supply system, SDK and SGP will cope with changes in the supply-demand balances of liquefied CO2 gas and dry ice in a flexible and timely manner, while maintaining capability for further expansion of the group’s capacity to produce these products in the future.