Denki Kogaku Kogyo considering new acetylene black plant in Japan

Japan Chemical Web reports that Denki Kagaku Kogyo is considering the construction of a new plant for acetylene black, an electrically conductive type of specialty carbon black that is finding increased use for the cathode materials of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Denki Kagaku Kogyo plans to make a formal decision by the middle of this year on the project, which involves the construction of 3 bn yen ($30.1 mn), 6,000-t/y facility in its plant in Chiba Prefecture. The facility would start operation by the end of fiscal 2014. The company currently produces acetylene black in Japan at its Omuta plant in Fukuoka Prefecture and at a plant in Singapore.