Japanese companies Fujifilm, Kikkoman, and Kyowa Kirin have announced significant investments in various industries in the United States. Fujifilm plans to increase its investment in a biotech plant in North Carolina by $1.2 billion, bringing the total investment in the facility to over $3.2 billion. The facility is expected to create 1,400 local jobs and reach full capacity by 2028. This investment is part of Fujifilm's strategy to construct large-scale production facilities in the United States and Europe, strengthening its presence in the biotech industry [0c65549a].
In Wisconsin, Kikkoman Foods Inc. is planning to invest at least $800 million in expanding its brewing plant in Walworth and building a new facility in Jefferson. The project is expected to create 83 new high-paying jobs over 12 years. The groundbreaking for the initial phase of the Jefferson build-out is scheduled for June 2024, with the first shipments of soy sauce planned for fall 2026 [8126dcb1].
Meanwhile, Japanese pharmaceutical company Kyowa Kirin has announced plans to more than double its investment in Sanford, North Carolina. The company's board approved plans to invest up to $530 million for its first North American manufacturing facility. The 171,700-square-foot plant will expand the company's global manufacturing network and speed up the development and production of biologic therapies for rare diseases. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of this year, and the facility will be fully operational in 2027. The investment is supported by performance-based state and local incentives of $10 million over 12 years. The plant is expected to create at least 102 high-paying jobs with an average annual salary of $91,496. Sanford, North Carolina, already home to several other pharmaceutical companies, will further solidify its position as a hub for the pharmaceutical industry [9d5231ee].
In other news, Japanese company Fresh Carriers Company (FCC) and Zespri have completed a biofuel trial using a charter vessel operating between Hong Kong and New Zealand. The ship, named Kakariki, was powered by a blend of biofuel made from used cooking oil. The trial aimed to test the ship's engines when burning biofuel. Zespri highlighted that biofuel is not currently available in New Zealand, but if it becomes available in the future, it will present more opportunities for Zespri's chartered ships to use low-emission fuel. The trial with FCC has given both companies important technical insights, and they are considering further biofuel trials using other FCC vessels [f4460e60].