Mexichem Japan has acquired the HFC plant of Showa Denko in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture.

At this plant, HFC134a or HFC125 can be produced with an annual capacity of 10,000 tons. Showa Denko shut down this plant at the end of 2009. Mexichem plans to resume production in October of this year and is apparently conducting an inspection of the plant at this time. The new plant will concentrate production on HFC125 as a raw material for R410A, for which demand is booming as refrigerant of room air conditioners.

Regarding the acquisition, Mexichem Japan noted “The plant in Kawasaki is the only production facility for HFC125 in Asia, with the exception of China. For the Mexichem Group, the new plant follows its plant in England, and the commissioning of the new plant will be an important step in its business strategy.

Daikin Industries also has ceased production of HFC125 at its plant in Kashima last year. No such plant is currently in operation in Japan. Resumption of operation of the plant in Kawasaki, domestic product will mark for the first time in one and a half years