Tokyo, Feb 9, 2015 - (Antara) - P.T. Indonesia Chemical Alumina (ICA), a joint corporation owned by Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) (Tokyo:4004) and PT ANTAM (Persero) Tbk (ANTAM), of Indonesia, has started commercial operation of its new chemical alumina plant established in the Tayan District, West Kalimantan, Indonesia.

The term "chemical alumina" refers collectively to alumina and aluminum hydroxide for applications other than aluminum smelting, produced through the Bayer process*. Chemical alumina is used for various industrial applications including chemicals for water treatment, functional materials (such as ceramic refractories, abrasives, and radiators), and electronic materials (such as IC packaging and LCD glass).

SDK has been continuously transferring its industrial technology to produce chemical alumina built up over many years operation of its Yokohama Plant to the new plant in Indonesia. SDK will soon start to sell chemical alumina products manufactured at the new plant to its customers in and outside Japan, and will establish a supply system focusing on the growing Asian market, aiming to expand sales of chemical alumina for use in water treatment and as ingredients of functional materials.

* The Bayer process: A common way to produce alumina, which extracts aluminum hydroxide (alumina) from bauxite as raw material, by utilizing sodium hydroxide (caustic soda).

Reference

Outline of P.T. Indonesia Chemical Alumina
- Established in February 2007
- President Director: Mr. Denny Maulasa
- Shareholders: ANTAM (80%); SDK (20%)
- Capacity of the new plant: 300,000t/year (SDK will receive 200,000t/year)

Outline of PT ANTAM (Persero) Tbk
- Head office: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Established in July 1968
- President Director: Mr. Tato Miraza
- Shareholders: The Indonesian Government (65%) and public
- Scope of business: Mining, processing and exporting of gold, nickel, bauxite and other minerals

About Showa Denko

Showa Denko K.K. ('SDK'; TSE: 4004, US: SHWDF) is a major manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving a wide range of fields ranging from heavy industry to the electronic and computer industries. SDK makes petrochemicals (ethylene, propylene), aluminum products (ingots, rods), electronic equipment (hard disks for computers) and inorganic materials (ceramics, carbons). The company has overseas operations and a joint venture with Netherlands-based Montell and Nippon Petrochemicals to make and market polypropylenes. In March 2001, SDK merged with Showa Denko Aluminum Corporation to strengthen the high-value-added fabricated aluminum products operations, and is today developing next-generation optical communications-use wafers. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp .

Contact:

Showa Denko K.K. (SDK)
Public Relations Office
Phone: 81-3-5470-3235

Reporter: PR Wire
Editor: PR Wire
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