In response to Mitsubishi Materials’ reinforcement of processing capacity of copper refining at Naoshima Refinery, Kagawa Prefecture, Air Liquide has decided to replace the existing ASU installed in the plant. For the replacement of the ASU, Mitsubishi Materials also decided to attach a neon producing facility under the subsidization of government so that the company may contribute to assure stable supply of neon for the domestic semiconductor-related field. Both plants are planned to start operation in 2027. 

　 The output capacity of the new ASU will be 1,400 t/d at maximum.Three types of gas (oxygen ,nitrogen and argon) will be produced though no detail is available about allotment and technical information now, but it will be the largest-class and cutting edge refinery across the country for the company.    　

  Mitsubishi Naoshima’s refineries mainly refines precious metals from ores and recycled raw materials. In the copper refinery, above all, consumes much oxygen to save energy by raising the combustion temperature. In 2000, Osaka Sanso Kogyo (now Air Liquide Japan) supplied oxygen to the refinery with a unit of ASU and ever since oxygen has been supplied for on-site management.　

Regarding the background of this investment, ALJ comments, “The world demand for copper is anticipated to increase year after year owing to the electric cars, next-generation communication technology and renewable energy. To fill the demand, Mitsubishi Materials announced to reinforce the processing technology of the refinery and our investment is aimed to respond to the announcement.” ALJ also comments “This investment is meaningful also for us in respect of realization of co-current production of argon.” The produced argon will be delivered out of the island of Shikoku using tank truck (without indication of volume).

On the other hand, the maximum output capacity of neon producing equipment is 7Nm³/h. It is said that neon supplied in this country is said to depend 100% on importing. It means the production base also will be the first case for the company.

  ALJ adds to comment, “We have so far been producing and procuring neon in the inexpensive areas on a larger scale taking advantage of group’s global network. However, in order to remove the uncertainty of procurement from overseas due to the recent unstable world situation we have decided this time to produce neon domestically.”

As mentioned at the beginning, this investment is planned to be implemented utilizing subsidies from Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Regarding the sequence to subsidization, ALJ explains that ALJ’s attempt to realize to produce neon domestically is evaluated to contribute to assurance of necessary supply network for the domestic production of semiconductors.

Any detail of the subsidy amount is not disclosed. They say that the neon (crude neon) produced by the equipment is transported to ALJ’s existing facilities to be purified up to 99.999%.

Regarding the backup system for a stable supply of gas, nothing is disclosed about either the ASU or neon producing equipment. 

For the announcement at this time, Rony Chalmers Vice President in charge of Asia-Pacific Procurement commented, “This attempt makes it possible strategically to produce important argon and neon co-currently by means of utilizing the large-scale oxygen producing system. We are grateful for the assistance of the Japanese Government.”