Japanese personal care firm Kao is aiming to maintain and expand its market share in the European market for synthetic fragrance methyl dihydrojasmonate (MDJ) by adding a new production facility at its Olesa plant in Spain.
The new production facility, which is expected to more than double Kao's MDJ production capacity in Spain, will be completed by December 2022, and is scheduled to begin production in early 2023.
The new production facility will utilize manufacturing methods that feature unique, Kao-developed technology.
The enhanced productivity will cut CO2 emissions by 2,000 tons per year, while also reducing the amount of energy needed for waste water treatment by eliminating all saline waste water, which currently amounts to around 850 tonnes per year.
MDJ is a basic fragrance material that provides a refined, fresh, floral (jasmine) fragrance, and which is used in a wide range of consumer products because of its good compatibility with other materials.
The market size for MDJ in 2021 was estimated to be 20,000 tonnes and Europe is the biggest market. Global demand is forecast to grow at an annual rate of 4%.
“Kao ranks number one in terms of market share for supplying MDJ to the European market,” the company said.
“With advanced technology which can keep pace with the trends toward ethical consumption and more rigorous environmental regulations in Europe, and with a stable supply capability, Kao is aiming to achieve a further strengthening of this business,” it added.
