Mitsui Chemicals Expanding Singapore Bisphenol-A

March 10, 2000

Mitsui Bisphenol Singapore Pte Ltd (MBS), a Singapore-based manufacturer of bisphenol-A (BPA) and a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan's leading chemical company Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (MCI), has decided to construct a second production line for BPA, the company announced today.

The announcement was made this morning at the formal Opening Ceremony of MBS's first 70,000-ton per year BPA plant on Jurong Island, Singapore, attended by dignitaries from the Singapore as well as Japanese governments and MCI's top management.

Having successfully started the commercial operation of the first BPA line in September last year, MBS is smoothly conducting its manufacturing and business operation as an overseas strategic arm of MCI Group pursuing expansion of BPA which is one of MCI's core businesses.

Behind the decision to build the No. 2 Line this time is the rapid growth of demand for polycarbonate resin mainly in the Asian region. The new line is designed to meet the associated expansion of demand for BPA which is the principal raw material for polycarbonate production.

Construction of the No. 2 Line having the same production capacity as the No.1 Line, at 70,000 tons per year, on the same site is scheduled to begin in May this year, for completion in November 2001. Toyo Engineering Corporation has been appointed the main contractor for the construction project.

In the meantime, building of the 200,000-ton per year phenol plant of Mitsui Phenol Singapore Pte. Ltd. (MPHS) is proceeding smoothly adjacent to MBS's BPA plant since it began in September last year, with completion scheduled for April 2001.

Established as MCI's another Singapore-based, majority-owned affiliate,MPHS is engaged in the manufacture and sale of phenol which is the principal raw material for BPA and another one of MCI's core businesses.

Contact:

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Corporate Communications Office, Mr.Kaneko
Tel 03-3592-4060 Fax 03-3592-4211