NAA produces organometallic catalysts at a factory near Osaka for distribution to the petrochemical and synthetic rubber industries in Japan and elsewhere in Asia. The acquisition is a key step in Albermarle's strategy to strengthen its presence in the Asian Pacific. Its customers in Japan now are supplied from plants in the United States, Canada or Belgium. Nippon Unicar recently expanded its capacity by opening a plant in Komatsu, Ishikawa prefecture in addition to its original facility in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture.
Degradation also is accelerated by the formation of peroxides from the auto-oxidant in the system.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare approved for sale the first HIV protease inhibitor. Crixivan or indinavir sulfate, which interferes with the replication of the virus that causes AIDS, can be taken alone or in combination with other anti-HIV therapies. MHW cleared the drug for marketing on an accelerated schedule, just as the Food and Drug Administration did in approving Crixivan for U.S. sale in March 1996. The three drugs, all for upset stomachs, were developed by Chugai. New packaging has been designed for the products, which are available for OTC sale in larger quantities at lower prices than before.