Japan Fine Coatings Co., a 50/50 joint venture between DSM Desotech (Elgin, Illinois, USA) and JSR (Tokyo, Japan), has announced the completion of a new plant for the manufacture of DeSolite® UV-curable materials in Tsukuba (Japan). The plant, which celebrated its grand opening this week, is the second production facility for Japan Fine Coatings, built in response to the rapidly growing demand for UV-curable materials in the Japanese market. It is one of three new production facilities for DSM Desotech in three years, following the 1999 grand opening of a plant in Hoek van Holland (the Netherlands) and the recent announcement of a plant purchase in Stanley (North Carolina, USA).

DSM Desotech President Jan Paul de Vries commented on the $35 million (USD) investment: 'We are very pleased to have realized the completion of this facility. Not only are we well positioned to meet the growing demand for optical fiber materials, but the operation of dual production facilities better protects our customers from the risk of earthquake or other natural disasters'.