Daikin Chemicals to triple perfluoroelastomer capacity in Japan

Tokyo – Daikin Chemicals has announced plans to add a new perfluoroelastomer (FFKM) production plant at its manufacturing site in Kashima, Japan, in response to an expected growth in demand, driven by the semiconductor market.

Scheduled for completion in August, the new facility will be beginning supply from 2027, said Daikin in a 24 April statement.

With the new plant, the company said it aims to achieve “supply capacity of more than three times the 2022 level.” 

The statement did not provide further capacity or financial details.

According to the Japanese supplier, FFKM is used primarily as a high-performance sealing material for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and demand is expected to continue expanding in the future.

The company currently produces FFKM at its Yodogawa Plant (Settsu City, Osaka Prefecture), and is advancing efforts to enhance its production system in order to steadily respond to these market needs.

The investment also includes upgrades to production technology, including the introduction of processes that do not use fluorinated surfactants, alongside measures to strengthen stable supply.

In addition, the company said it will enhance clean processes and improve control standards to meet next-generation semiconductor requirements.

It also plans to strengthen data traceability and management standards to reduce product variability and support more consistent production.