Japan's chemical firms expand R&D in Singapore

Japan’s chemical and chemical-related companies are increasingly expanding their R&D activities in Singapore. Mitsui Chemicals has teamed up with Singapore’s Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences to develop advanced catalysts for petrochemicals. The partnership also established a petrochemical R&D center in the country in 2006. Sumitomo Chemical is building its R&D center on Jurong Island to upgrade its methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymer and develop new MMA grades, along with on-going large-scale investment in MMA production in the country. Asahi Kasei Plastics, which makes modified polyphenylene ether, is reinforcing its Singapore technical center so that the center can respond to customers’ requests, such as for prototype resin moldings and physical analysis. (May 31, 2007)