Asahi Kasei Expands Planova Production with New Spinning Plant
Asahi Kasei Life Science, a division of global manufacturer Asahi Kasei, announced plans to construct a new spinning plant for its Planova virus removal filters in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki, Japan.
The new facility will be the company’s fourth spinning plant for hollow-fiber cellulose membrane filters. Construction is scheduled to begin in July 2026, with operations starting in January 2030. The initiative, backed by a grant from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), aligns with Asahi Kasei’s recently announced medium-term management plan “Trailblaze Together,” which positions the Life Science business as a key driver of future growth.
Forecasts for the global biopharmaceutical market estimate it will exceed $500 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual rate of 8.2% from 2022 to 2032. This projected growth is expected to increase demand for virus removal filters, which are essential in manufacturing biologic drugs. To meet this rising global need, the company is expanding production capacity at a new plant, with a focus on its range of virus filtration products. This strategic investment aims to address future demand, enhance supply chain resilience, and reinforce the company’s position in the high-value bioprocessing market.
“This new plant reinforces the momentum behind our newly established Life Science business,” said Yusuke Kanazawa, Head of the Bioprocess Division at Asahi Kasei Life Science Corporation. “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.”
