The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has certified a plan to secure supplies of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid, and Central Glass will build new anhydrous hydrofluoric acid production facilities at its Ube Plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The company is expected to receive up to ¥17.6 billion in subsidies as it seeks to strengthen the domestic supply chain.
Central Glass announced on 16 September that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry had certified its “Plan to Secure Supplies of Anhydrous Hydrofluoric Acid.” The certification will enable the company to advance its plan to build new facilities at its Ube Plant.
Based on the certification, Central Glass plans to build new anhydrous hydrofluoric acid production facilities at the Ube Plant and may receive a subsidy of up to approximately ¥17.6 billion. The company said it will now work out details including the facility scale, investment amount and start-up timing.
Anhydrous hydrofluoric acid is used in a wide range of applications, including semiconductor materials. Because Japan depends on China for supplies of fluorspar and anhydrous hydrofluoric acid, strengthening the domestic supply chain is considered a priority. METI is supporting domestic production and diversification of supply sources in light of the material’s designation as a critical mineral.
The new facilities at the Ube Plant are expected to be developed using existing technologies, personnel and quality-control systems. In addition to ensuring stable supplies under normal conditions, the project aims to secure supplies when imports are disrupted.