Tosoh to Increase Zirconia Powder Production Capacity to Meet Demand for Dental and Decorative Applications

Tokyo, Japan— Tosoh announced its decision to increase its production capacity for zirconia powder, an advanced ceramic product the company manufactures, at its Nanyo Complex in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Tosoh’s zirconia powder is yttria-stabilized zirconia, and is referred to as “high-strength, high-toughness zirconia.” It has earned a dominant share of the global market through superior quality and stability. Applications include manufacturing parts, such as connectors for optical fiber, and grinding media for electronic parts’ raw materials. In recent years, Tosoh has developed a product lineup (Zpex®, Zpex Smile, Zpex4) of zirconia powders that features varying grades of translucency to meet the increasing demand for use in dental applications. The company has also created a variety of color grades for decorative and fashion applications and has rolled the products out worldwide.

Zirconia powder is one of the main products of Tosoh’s Advanced Materials Divison, and the company aims to further expand the scale of business and strengthen profitability by responding to rapidly increasing demand.

The company will invest a total of ¥5 billion in expanding the facility, resulting in an increase of 30% over current production capacity. Construction will start in August 2018, and is scheduled for completion in June 2019, with commercial operations slated to begin in October 2019.

History of business
1983: Constructed world’s first commercial plant for production of zirconia as advanced ceramic product at the Nanyo Complex
1995: Increased production capacity at the Nanyo Complex
2009: Constructed new zirconia production facility at the Yokkaichi Complex
2012: Increased production capacity at the Nanyo Complex


TOSOH CORPORATION

WHO WE ARE

Tosoh is the parent of the Tosoh Group, which comprises over 100 companies worldwide and a multiethnic workforce of over 12,000 people and generated net sales of ¥822.9 billion (US$7.4 billion at the average rate of ¥110.85 to the US dollar) in fiscal 2018, ended March 31, 2018.

WHAT WE DO

Tosoh is one of the largest chlor-alkali manufacturers in Asia. The company supplies the plastic resins and an array of the basic chemicals that support modern life. Tosoh’s petrochemical operations supply ethylene, polyethylene, and functional polymers, while its advanced materials business serves the global semiconductor, display, and solar industries. Tosoh has also pioneered sophisticated bioscience systems that are used for the monitoring of life-threatening diseases. In addition, Tosoh demonstrates its commitment to a sustainable future in part by manufacturing a variety of eco-products.

Stock Exchange Ticker Symbol: 4042

DISCLAIMER

This document may contain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning product development, objectives, goals, and commercial introductions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are identified through the use of the word anticipates and other words of similar meaning. Actual results may differ significantly from the results expressed in forward-looking statements.

 

For more information, please contact

 

Lisa Lee
International Public Relations
Tosoh Corporation 

[email protected]
Tel: +81 3 5427 5118
Fax: +81 3 5427 5198