MHI to design HF plant for Koura

JAPAN: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has received an order from refrigerant manufacturer Mexichem Fluor Japan (Koura) for a hydrogen fluoride production plant in Kitakyushu City. 

Derived from the mineral fluorspar, hydrogen fluoride (HF) is an essential component in the production of semiconductors and lithium ion batteries, as well as HFC and HFO refrigerants.

The project aims to build a framework for a reliable supply of fluorine compounds in Japan. MHI will provide the front-end engineering and design, including utility facilities, for the joint project between Mexichem Fluor Japan and Sojitz Corporation, a general trading company. 

Fluorine compounds made from hydrogen fluoride are also used for industrial purposes, including medicine and digital communication which are growing industries. Currently, Japanese industries are dependent on imports for fluorine raw materials, and this project is expected to help strengthen Japan’s domestic supply chain and enable the reliable growth of domestic industries for fluorinated products.