NEWS
Toray opens Singapore centre
Japan ’ s Toray Industries has announced that it opened a research centre in Singapore in June . The centre is carrying out R & D into ‘ electronic information materials ’ and providing technical support in Southeast Asia . The key focuses will include display , semiconductor-related , and electronic circuit materials . This continues Toray ’ s collaboration since 2016 with the international consortia of the Singapore government ’ s Institute of Microelectronics ( IME ) on areas including power semiconductor devices , wireless communications , memory devices , micro-electro-mechanical systems and other advanced semiconductor packaging . The new centre will also engage with local universities on R & D . Simultaneously , Toray and the IME have commenced joint research to develop practical applications for high heat-dissipating adhesive sheets for silicon carbide power semiconductors for applications including automotive , smart grids and data centres . These are said to offer “ significant energy efficiency and carbon neutrality benefits ”, particularly in automotive applications , because of their superior heat resistance to conventional silicone The work will combine Toray ’ s material and fabrication technologies with IME ’ s design , prototyping and evaluation technologies . They will seek to “ improve the simplicity and reliability of processes to apply high-heat-dissipating adhesive sheets and enhance semiconductor quality , dependability and safety ”, Toray said .
Umicore in further battery deal with VW
Following other recent announcements in the field , Umicore has announced a 50-50 , € 3 billion joint venture to supply precursor and cathode material production to the European battery cell factories of PowerCo , the Volkswagen Group ’ s battery company . No site has yet been chosen . This will begin in 2025 by supplying PowerCo ’ s factory in Salzgitter , Germany . The aim is to reach 40 GWh cell / year capacity in 2026 and to quadruple that to 160 by 2030 , depending on market and demand development . This would be equivalent to what is needed to power about 2.2 million full electric vehicles ( EVs ). The two will also collaborate on the sustainable and responsible sourcing of raw materials , an area in which Umicore claims to be an industry leader . In addition , Umicore will provide refining services to PowerCo . Both seek to include elements of refining and battery recycling based on Umicore ’ s technology and know-how into the scope of the JV via a licence agreement . Umicore said that this will give it “ secured access , through firm take-or-pay commitments , to an important part of the European demand for EV cathode materials at guaranteed value-creative returns ”, while also giving PowerCo “ secure and cost-competitive access ” to its materials .
Modi inaugurates ‘ bulk drug park ’
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of a ‘ bulk drug park ’ at Haroli in the Una district of the northern state of Himachal Pradesh state . In doing so , he said that the park will help to “ reduce dependence on API imports ”. The park will be built at a cost of around € 240 million , with much of the funding coming from the state . It is expected to attract € 1.25 billion in investment and employ 20,000 . Two more such parks , with the same level of investment , are to be created in Andhra Pradesh and Modi ’ s native Gujarat by 2025 under a scheme initiated in March 2020 . The government said that although the Indian pharmaceutical industry is the world ’ s third largest by volume , “ it is significantly dependent on the imports of bulk drugs or APIs ”, which accounted for 63 % of total pharmaceutical imports in 2018-19 . COVID-related lockdowns brought further supply challenges . The laying of the foundation stone was part of a series of high profile projects at Una , which included a new , high-speed Vande Bharat Express train to New Delhi and the dedication of the Indian Institute of Information Technology . Building the parks is also part of the ruling party ’ s Aatmanirbharta ( Made in India ) policy .
10 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981