July 11, 2012
Research Center Built at Joint Venture in Tanzania

Vector Health International Ltd. (Vector Health), a joint venture in Arusha, Tanzania,
between Sumitomo Chemical Company (Sumitomo Chemical) and an A to Z Textile
Mills Ltd. group company, has set up a research laboratory to equip itself with researchand development functions, in addition to production capabilities, for the Olyset® Net
insecticidal mosquito net for malaria prevention.
The newly established Africa Technical Research Center (ATRC), located also in Arusha,Tanzania, will conduct efficacy trials, development and analysis of vector control (*1)
products and agricultural products.
Of all cases of malaria, about 90% occurs in sub-Saharan Africa. As malaria istransmitted to a human through the bite of a mosquito infected with malaria parasites,
the use of insecticidal mosquito nets has been recognized to be effective for theprevention of the disease. Olyset® Net, developed with Sumitomo Chemical'sproprietary technology, is the first net endorsed by the World Health Organization(WHO) in 2001 as a long-lasting insecticidal net. Vector Health, a major manufacturingbase for Olyset® Net, has contributed significantly to prevention of malaria infection.
A means perceived to be useful in reducing malaria victims further effectively lies in acomprehensive approach that employs not only insecticidal nets, but other related
products in combination as a set of protective measures against insects. On the otherhand, an increasing number of findings are reported in certain regions that mosquitoes
are showing resistance to pyrethroid insecticides that are used in the mosquito nets,
and it is much needed to also develop a new type of insecticidal net. Under thesecircumstances, Vector Health has decided to set up ATRC as its research arm, aiming toexpand the product lineup the company can offer.
Meanwhile, decreasing Africa’s starving population is among the high-priority
challenges that the international community has constantly addressed, as stated in theUnited Nations' Millennium Development Goals (MDG ｓ )(*2). Going forward,
increasing crop productivity will be all the more needed with the appropriate use ofagricultural chemicals and other related products. Given the situation, ATRC will also
work to develop agricultural products geared specifically to countries of Africa, such asnetting for crops, by capitalizing on Sumitomo Chemical’s advanced technologicalexpertise as well as a variety of know-how cultivated through implementing the Olyset®
Net business over many years.
ATRC is the Sumitomo Chemical Group’s first research facility ever built in Africa. It iscurrently hiring researchers from within Tanzania and its neighboring countries andwill soon begin activities. The research center will contribute importantly toaccelerating early development of new products by conducting on-the-spot efficacy trials,development and analysis in the African environment where products are actually used.
Sumitomo Chemical will continue to exert unabated active efforts in promoting malaria
rollback and decreasing the starving population, both of which are accountable for
Africa’s retarded economic development, by advancing its development initiatives andbusiness expansion with respect to vector control products and agricultural products.
(*1) vector control: Limiting the spread of diseases such as malaria and yellow feverthat are transmitted by mosquitoes and other insects.
(*2) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Adopted as an action plan by the United
Nations in September 2000 based on the UN Millennium Declaration, the Millennium
Development Goals include goals to be achieved in eight categories such as poverty,
education, the environment, and human rights.

＜Company Profile＞
Name: Vector Health International Ltd.
Location: Arusha, Tanzania
Establishment: September 2005
Capital: US$3 million
Investment ratio: Sumitomo Chemical Co. 50%, Net Health Ltd. 50%
President: Kalpesh Shah
Number of employees: Approximately 2,800
Business: Production of Olyset® Net＜Profile of Research Facility＞
Name: Africa Technical Research Center
Location: Arusha, Tanzania
Establishment: June 2012
Director: Dr. Johnson O. Odera
Number of researchers: Approximately 30
Research activities:(1) Efficacy trials of vector control products, including long-lasting insecticidal nets
(2) Efficacy trials of agricultural pest control products(3) Chemical analysis that supports these two areas of development