Start of Research Collaboration on Biocatalyst Development for the Utilization of Non-Edible Resources
August 14, 2008
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (“MCI”) today announced that it has been in talks with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (“A*STAR”) in Singapore to start research collaboration based on the theme, “Development of Biocatalysts using Microorganisms Obtained in Singapore for Chemical Production.” The two parties have already entered into the closing phase of talks that will finalize the agreement. This is the third R&D project that MCI has initiated with the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (“ICES”), an R&D arm of A*STAR, at Mitsui Chemicals Asia Pacific Technical Centre.
From the standpoint of dealing with the recent surge in crude oil prices and the move to curb global warming, the development of technologies for the effective utilization of non-edible biomass resources, such as wood-based materials, has become an important issue. There is a great demand for the development of high-performance biocatalysts, which play a key role in this technology. In this context, Mitsui Chemicals is strongly promoting the development of such biocatalysts using its advanced gene recombination technology. ICES, located in Southeast Asia, where biological resources are abundant, possesses technology for screening microorganisms in Singapore that can then be applied to chemical production. The aim of this research collaboration is to develop biocatalysts for the production of chemicals, such as alcohols and phenols, from non-edible biomass resources by making full use of cross-organizational synergies.
Start of Research CollaborationCollaboration on Biocatalyst Development for the Utilozation of Non Non-Edible ResourcesEdible Resources
Contact:
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Makoto Yamasaki
General Manager,
CSR & Corporate Communications Div.
Phone no.: [+81] (3)6253-2100
Fax no.: [+81] (3)6253-4245
Email: web_master@mitsui-chem.co.jp
Mitsui Chemicals Asia Pacific, Ltd.
Legal & General Affairs Div.
Phone no. [+65] 6534-2611
Fax no. [+65] 6535-5161
About Mitsui Chemicals
Mitsui Chemicals aspires to be a “Chemistry, Innovation, Dreams” driven Mitsui Chemicals which is constantly pursuing innovation and materializing dreams with the wonder of chemistry, and making an all-out and company wide effort to achieve this end. With aggressive business deployment in the Performance Materials, Advanced Chemicals and Basic Chemicals business fields, Mitsui Chemicals’ main products have successfully shown the presence in their targeting markets (Japan, Asia, World). Mitsui Chemicals has approximately 13,000 employees around the world, and posted sales of 1,786.7 billion yen in fiscal 2007.
Mitsui Chemicals shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japan.
Further information on Mitsui Chemicals is available on the Internet at https://jp.mitsuichemicals.com
