IURESIN™ Lens Monomer - New Capacity Investment and Sales Launch of Bio-based Lens Monomer

　Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. (MGC; Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masashi Fujii) announces new capacity investment on ophthalmic lens monomer IURESIN™ plant in Yokkaichi Plant (Yokkaichi City, Mie, Japan) and sales launch of bio-based lens monomer which is produced in existing Naniwa Plant (Taisho-ku, Osaka City, Osaka, Japan).

　“IURESIN™“ lens monomer is widely used mainly for refractive index of 1.74 in the ophthalmic lens market. This category is so-called ultra-high refractive index which is the highest index in plastic ophthalmic lens materials. MGC has major share in this category and is expecting steady growth in this category where the number of myopia, especially strong myopia people is increasing.

　MGC will build new facility in Yokkaichi Plant and will start mass production within 2026 in addition to existing Naniwa Plant capacity. This investment is to cater growing demand from ophthalmic lens market.

　On the other hand, MGC is planning sales launch of bio-based lens monomer “Episleaf™” produced in existing Naniwa Plant from 2024. This is in accordance with our objective “Reduce environmental impacts and contribute to the sustainable development of communities” which is one of MGC Group’s Environmental Safety Plan.

　MGC contributes QOL (Quality of Life) through Ophthalmic Lens Monomer business with aim of balancing social and economic value based on our mission “Creating value to share with society”.

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