Asahi Kasei Life Science announced plans to construct a new spinning plant for Planova virus removal filters in Nobeoka City, Japan, with construction beginning July 2026 and operations starting January 2030.
The facility will be the company's fourth spinning plant for hollow-fiber cellulose membrane filters, backed by a grant from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry under the Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Project.
The expansion responds to accelerating global demand driven by the biopharmaceutical market forecast to surpass $500 billion by 2032 with 8.2% compound annual growth from 2022 to 2032.
The new plant will focus on producing Planova filters S20N, 15N, 20N, 35N, and 75N to enhance global supply chain resilience and strengthen the company's position in virus filtration for biologics.