Press Release

For Immediate Release

June 30, 2008
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Mitsui Chemicals to Start Commercial Production at No.2 APEL™ Plant

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (“MCI”) announces the start of commercial production at No.2
APEL™ plant. APEL™ is an amorphous cycloolefin copolymer with excellent optical
characteristics.

Overview of New Plant

  1. Product: Amorphous cycloolefin copolymer
  2. Trade Name: APEL™
  3. Site: MCI Osaka Works (Takaishi City, Osaka Prefecture)
  4. Production Capacity: 3,000 t/y
  5. Technology: MCI’s independently-developed technology
  6. Total Investment: Approx. ¥6 billion
  7. Schedule: Start of construction: January 2007
    Completion: January 2008
    Start of commercial production: May 1, 2008

* Ref. MCI Iwakuni-Ohtake Works has an existing APEL™ plant with production capacity of 3,400 t/y.

APEL™ is highly refractive and low birefringent material, mainly applied to information and electronic materials such as pick-up lenses for DVD recorders and lenses for camera phones, where demand has been dramatically growing. And recently, APEL™’s application has been expanded into highly marketable high-grade packaging materials, including PTP (Press Through Package: package for tablet pharmaceuticals) and shrink films, thanks to its moisture proof and contractive characteristics, respectively. In the near future, these markets are expected to grow 20% on an annual basis. MCI has established a new plant in response to such growth expectations. We have established a new plant in Osaka Works in addition to Iwakuni-Ohtake Works in accordance with Business Continuity Plan (BCP) with the aim of ensuring a stable supply to customers.

MCI has formulated its new Mid-term Business Plan (the 08MTP), in which the company is aiming to complete a three dimensional strategy consisting of Economy, Environment and Society along with the concept of “The Challenge to Create Innovative Values” through creation of innovative new technologies. Information & Electronics Materials business including APEL™ is one of the core businesses of the Performance Materials Business Sector which has the mission to establish high-profitability as a growth driver. MCI intends to further expand and accelerate the growth of APEL™ business through expansion of production capacity.

<Reference>

1. APEL™ used for lenses for camera phones as electronic materials

2. No.2 APEL™ Plant
 
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