FUEL DME PROMOTION PLANT IS READY TO MAKE ITS FIRST DELIVERY IN JANUARY 2009
Tokyo, Japan (December 18, 2008) Fuel DME Production Co., Ltd. ("FDME"), a joint venture of Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., ITOCHU Corporation, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd., Taiyo Oil Co., Ltd., TOTAL Di-Methyl Ether Japan Ltd., Toyota Tsusho Corporation, JGC Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, is pleased to announce that it has become ready at all stages from production to distribution of the fuel Di-Methyl Ether ("DME") to its customers. In June 2008, FDME successfully completed a trial operation of the Fuel DME Promotion Plant (Niigata City, Japan) with a capacity of 80,000 tons per annum. In addition, two specialized bulk lorries were acquired in December 2008 for timely DME distribution to customers.
In January 2009, FDME is scheduled to make its first delivery to a customer, who introduced a new DME boiler facility partly subsidized by the Ministry of Economic, Trade and Industries. The delivery of DME will be made immediately after the regulatory permission issued by the local authority for the facility.
FDME is committed to promotional activities by introducing the fuel DME in the applications of boilers, furnaces, power plants (including fuel cells), automobiles (as diesel substitute) as well as chemical feedstock, etc. Furthermore, entire partners of FDME are committed to the utilization of DME as an essential energy in terms of Japan's energy strategy represented by three "E"s (Energy Security, Environmental Protection & Economic Growth).
PRESS CONTACT:
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
Ms. Koshiishi, Corporate Communications Division.
TEL: +81-3-3283-5041
ITOCHU Corporation
Mr. Yamanaka, Corporate Communications Division Media Relations Department.
TEL: +81-3-3497-7293
Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd.
Mr. Hasegawa, Media and Investor Relations Dept.
TEL: +81-3-6268-7110
Taiyo Oil Co., Ltd.
Mr. Mukai, CSR Dept.
TEL: +81-3-5521-9862
TOTAL Di-Methyl Ether Japan Ltd.
Mr. Shinada, General Affairs Dept.
TEL: +81-3-5562-5207
Toyota Tsusho Corporation
Mr. Konishi, Corporate Communications Office (Nagoya)
TEL: +81-52-584-5011
JGC Corporation
Mr. Mizuno, PR & IR Dept.
TEL: +81-45-682-8026
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Mr. Ikuno, Daiya PR (in charge of public relations for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.)
TEL: +81-3-6716-5277
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
Public Relations and Investor Relations Dept.
TEL: +81-3-6414-3730
[General Information of DME]
Currently in Japan, DME is mainly used as aerosol propellant for spray paint, insecticide and cosmetics; however, DME also has excellent burning characteristics. Owing to the fact that its properties are easy to handle and quite similar to those of LPG, DME is gathering attention as a new energy of 21st Century. Characteristics of DME as a fuel are as follows.
(1) Easy to Handle: Properties similar to LPG
(2) Clean Energy: Emits less CO2 in comparison to coal or crude oil.
Does not emit soot (PM: Particulate Matter) or SOx
(3) Multi-Source & Sustainability: Can be produced from natural gas,
coal or biomass
(4) Multi-Use: Can be burned in substitute or replacement of LPG, diesel,
crude oil or kerosene.Applied to boiler, furnace, automobile
or power plant .Can be used as chemical feedstock
[About Fuel DME Bulk Lorry]
Fuel DME bulk lorry is designed and manufactured for the purpose of fuel DME distribution from the Fuel DME Promotion Plant to DME users. The lorries are designed to meet various technical conditions in order to supply the fuel to respective users, as one is equipped with a submerged pump while the other with a compressor. Each of the lorries has a loading capacity of eleven tons, and will be operated by one of the leading fuel logistics companies in Japan, Niyac Corporation.
[Fuel DME and Japan's Policy]
The Japanese Government clearly stated in its National Energy Strategy that the promotion of fuel DME is an important task, and a various supports have already been provided by the government to encourage technical development of its production and application. Starting from this fiscal year, the main focus of such monetary support is shifted from research programs to promotion programs. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industries launched a support program to encourage introduction of facility using fuel DME, and an industrial DME boiler is being installed at present by taking advantage of such support program. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation is considering a model program starting next year to conduct a verification test of DME-fuelled vehicle. Being strongly supported by the government, FDME will further extend our effort to accelerate our promotional activities.
[Details of Fuel DME Production Co., Ltd.]
1. Name : Fuel DME Production Co., Ltd.
2. President : Mr. Akira Ishiwada
3. Headquarters : Niigata City, Japan
4. Capital : JPY 465,000,000
5. Shareholders : Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. 29.5%
ITOCHU Corporation 13.25%
Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. 12.00%
Taiyo Oil Co., Ltd. 10.00%
TOTAL Di-Methyl Ether Japan Ltd. 10.00%
Toyota Tsusho Corporation 10.00%
JGC Corporation 5.30%
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. 5.30%
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation 5.00%
6. Description of Business : Production of Di-Methyl Ether (DME)
7. Date of Establishment : April 2007
8. Production Capacity : 80,000 tons per year
9. Delivery Capacity : Bulk Lorry (11 ton) x 2
Toyota Tsusho and DENSO Dissolve Mobile Phone Sales Divisions to Establish New Joint Company in Japan
Toyota Tsusho Corporation and DENSO Corporation reached an agreement to dissolve their respective mobile phone sales divisions in related subsidiaries and together establish a new joint company called TD mobile Corporation on April 1, 2009.
In Japan, not only has the mobile phone market grown to more than 100 million units, mobile phone capabilities have become increasingly advanced. In addition to conventional aftermarket services like unit replacement and repairs, mobile phone providers must offer expanded services such as new service propositions and consultations about the phone's advanced capabilities.
By establishing the TD mobile Corporation in this business environment, Toyota Tsusho and DENSO aim to acquire a firm share in the expanding mobile phone market where 40 to 45 million units are replaced each year. The new company will utilize customer satisfaction and efficient management know-how to promote enhanced store operations, corporate and dealer sales, and content development.
TD mobile Corporation also will promote the development of mobile phone services for corporate customers and services that coordinate with automobiles. The new company's sales target for the fiscal year ending March 2010 is 85 billion yen.
Toyota Tsusho Corporation, headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, is the sole trading company of the Toyota Group. The company's business includes domestic wholesale, exports, imports, overseas trading, contract construction, and insurance agency businesses. Worldwide, the Toyota Tsusho Group employs approximately 23,000 people in 63 countries and regions, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 totaled US$69.8 billion.
DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global supplier of advanced technology, systems and components. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the company employs approximately 119,000 people in 32 countries and regions, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 totaled US$40.2 billion.
Summary of new company
Company name : TD mobile Corporation
Location : Tokyo, Japan (site currently being selected)
Establishment date : April 1, 2009
Capital
