Asahi Kasei to Build New Plant for Planova™ Filter Expansion

Asahi Kasei Life Science, a division of the diversified manufacturer Asahi Kasei, has announced its plan to build a new spinning plant in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki, Japan, for its Planova™ virus removal filters. This will be the fourth spinning facility dedicated to producing hollow-fiber cellulose membrane filters. Construction is slated to begin in July 2026, with operations expected to commence in January 2030. This expansion is supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and is part of Asahi Kasei’s medium-term strategy “Trailblaze Together,” which positions the Life Science segment as a core growth pillar.

According to Market.US, the biopharmaceutical market is expected to exceed US$500 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 8.2% between 2022 and 2032. This demand surge is fueling the need for virus filtration solutions vital to biologics production. As a globally recognized leader in virus filtration for plasma-derived therapeutics and biologics, Planova™ stands to benefit from this growth.

The new plant will significantly increase the production of Planova™ filters—specifically types S20N, 15N, 20N, 35N, and 75N. This strategic investment aims to meet growing global demand, strengthen supply chain resilience, and reinforce Planova™'s role in high-value bioprocessing.

Yusuke Kanazawa, Head of the Bioprocess Division at Asahi Kasei Life Science Corporation, commented,

“This new plant reinforces the momentum behind our newly established Life Science business. It demonstrates Asahi Kasei’s commitment to making strategic investments while responding to rising global demand for virus filtration. This project was selected under METI’s Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Project, which supports the development of domestic infrastructure critical for vaccine production during public health emergencies. Through this government-backed initiative, we are strengthening our supply resilience and enhancing our competitiveness in the global biopharmaceutical market.”