Asahi Kasei Medical (AM) will construct a new plant in the Okatomi district of Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan with integrated spinning and assembly lines to produce dry-pack APS™ polysulfone-membrane dialyzers. The new plant will raise total APS™ production capacity to 26 million modules/year, in line with a plan to expand capacity to 30 million modules/year by 2010.

The plant will exclusively produce a new line of dry-pack APS™ dialyzers, which are not pre-filled with sterilized water prior to shipment. With its smaller size and light weight, the new dry product line will enable energy conservation, easier handling, and more efficient distribution and storage. Production will utilize continuous and automated processes at a single plant integrating a hollow-fiber membrane spinning line and a module assembly line, for high productivity and consistent product quality.

Essentials of the new plant

Site:	Okatomi, Nobeoka, Miyazaki
Groundbreaking schedule:	July 2007
Start-up schedule:	September 2008
Hollow-fiber membrane spinning capacity:	6 million modules-equivalent/year
Dialyzer module assembly capacity:	5.5 million modules/year
Investment:	Approx. ¥7.5 billion

The market for dialyzers, also called artificial kidneys, is growing steadily in Japan and throughout the world, as the number of hemodialysis patients increases and facilities for hemodialysis therapy become increasingly available. Demand growth is particularly strong for polysulfone-membrane dialyzers, due to their exceptional performance and biocompatibility.

Japan's leading dialyzer manufacturer, AM is focused on contributing to the advancement of hemodialysis therapy through the ongoing development of superior new products and production technologies, while meeting rising worldwide demand with timely expansions of production capacity. The new plant is part of an ongoing program of R&D and capital investments to heighten the trust and satisfaction of the hemodialysis community, to advance Japan's world-leading hemodialysis technology, and ultimately contribute to the quality of life for hemodialysis patients.

The addition of the new dry APS™ product line, as with the integration of Kuraray Medical's EVOH hollow-fiber membrane product lineup, will enhance the ability to respond to the wide variety of needs in hemodialysis therapy through the provision of a broad product range. These developments will serve to reinforce the company's position as Japan's leading dialyzer maker, and accelerate the growth of its global operations.

Dialyzer business overview

No. of chronic dialysis patients (as of Dec 31, 2005):
　Japan - 260 thousand (incl. peritoneal dialysis)*
　World wide - 1.3 million (incl. Japan)†

Dialyzer market scale (2005):†
　Japan - 37 million modules/year
　Worldwide - 120 million modules/year

Asahi Kasei Medicals market share (2006):†
　Japan - 37% (ranked No.1)
　Worldwide - 18% (ranked No.2)


* According to the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy
† Asahi Kasei Medical estimate