FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc.

In more recent years, Fujifilm Biotechnologies has turned inwards to expand its production reach. While Fujifilm has deep roots in the life sciences industry through its history working with X-ray film and diagnostic imaging, it is within the last decade-and-a-half that the company’s biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing unit has taken flight.Now, shortly after opening a massive new plant in North Carolina, the company’s CDMO unit—Fujifilm Biotechnologies—can stand tall among the top firms in its industry by biologics capacity. Plus, the company already has a number of additional expansions and plant openings waiting in the wings as it turns the calendar to 2026, Teiichi Goto, president, representative director & CEO of Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, said in a recent virtual interview with Fierce during the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.To break down where Fujifilm Biotechnologies is headed, Goto first reflected on the CDMO’s past, which kicked off in 2011 with the acquisition of Merck & Co.’s biomanufacturing network, transferring over facilities in North Carolina and the United Kingdom. Fujifilm then made another major contract manufacturing play when it budgeted $890 million in cash for a Biogen plant near Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2019, Goto said.“And since then, this business really took off,” the CEO said of Fujifilm’s bio-CDMO work. In more recent years, however, Fujifilm Biotechnologies has turned inwards to expand its production reach.“Since we acquired Biogen, we decided that, rather than continuing to do M&A to acquire plants, we would rather build our own plants, and that was the way we wanted to expand the business,” Goto explained.Fujifilm’s CDMO arm recently opened the doors to a massive new biomanufacturing plant in North Carolina—a clone of its facility in Denmark—and is already at work equipping the site with eight additional large-scale bioreactors, Goto pointed out.Elsewhere, the company is establishing “small- to mid-sized tanks as well” at facilities in Toyama, Japan, and Billingham in the U.K. That latter plant is slated to open in February, while Fujifilm has said the Japan facility will be fully operational in 2027.Based on the company's estimates, global tank capacity for bioreactors stood at 8 million liters as of 2023. If the market grows at 8% to 9% annually, Fujifilm reckons that 6 million additional liters of tank capacity will be needed by 2030.While companies are announcing major capacity moves, these investments will still fall short of meeting demand, representatives from Fujifilm pointed out. The CDMO market for antibody drugs, by comparison, is growing at a rate of roughly 14% per year, according to Goto, who estimated it will be valued at around $20 billion by 2030.“We wanted to make sure that we will have a big share in this market,” he said.Homing in on the Holly Springs facility in North Carolina, which commenced operations at the end of 2025, the Fujifilm CEO noted that work at the site has been going “very smoothly” so far. Right now, the company has eight 20,000-liter bioreactors up and running at the facility, half of which have been booked by Johnson & Johnson and the other half by Regeneron, Goto noted.Argenx has also snapped up capacity at the plant, which will begin helping produce its autoimmune blockbuster Vyvgart when the next phase of the facility’s expansion boots up in 2028.“[T]he key to reaching more profit is really ramping up the operation as fast as we can,” Goto said, reiterating that the next expansion in North Carolina will take around three to four years to come online. Catching the AI waveAs for Fujifilm’s embrace of novel technologies, the company has long supported artificial intelligence initiatives in its diagnostic imaging business, with the tech now integrated into different equipment and in servers in hospitals, Goto pointed out.Among other parts of its business, life sciences and medical media specialist Fujifilm Biosciences (formerly known as Fujifilm Irvine Scientific) is working with clients to use AI to develop cell culture media more quickly and with higher productivity, Goto said.“Another area that we’re using AI for is creating a system to forecast yield,” he added. “Using or collecting vast amounts of process parameters, and using AI to sort that out.”And by integrating AI into plant work, Fujifilm believes it could help alleviate the administrative burden of certain tasks like writing reports, freeing up employees to focus on more pressing operations, Goto explained. Goto also touted Fujifilm Biotechnologies’ KojoX design approach as a key part of its DNA that sets it apart from its CDMO peers.“We are building clone plants from Denmark to North Carolina, the U.K. and in Japan, and it is very useful when the pharmaceutical companies are thinking to expand,” he said. “We can easily build and it’s also easier to do tech transfer, and it’s also easier for the authorities to go through our plants,” he said of the benefits of KojoX’s harmonized design philosophy. With Fujifilm Biotechnologies’ CDMO business now firing on all cylinders, Goto reflected that “our philosophy has always been that we should be very close to the pharmaceutical companies, the market, the patients—all our clients. And that way we can support our clients very closely.”Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify stats about the capacity and growth of the CDMO market for antibody drugs. 

Rebrand announced in June as part of Fujifilm Life Sciences Group restructuring becomes official FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific becomes FUJIFILM Biosciences, providing a full spectrum of life sciences solutions built from a 55-year history as a cell culture pioneer. SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FUJIFILM Biosciences, a global leader in the innovation and manufacture of cell culture solutions for the life science market, today announced the Company has officially changed its legal name from FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific, Inc., to FUJIFILM Biosciences Inc., effective January 1, 2026. The FUJIFILM Biosciences’ name builds upon the Company’s roots as a pioneer in the cell culture media industry that through a core focus on people, innovation, and quality now serves a much broader life science community and customers. FUJIFILM Biosciences continues to be dedicated to its customers with a focus on empowering scientists and researchers at every stage of discovery, development, and commercialization. By offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services in cell culture media, feeds, specialty chemicals and reagents, single-use technologies, and human-induced pluripotent stem cell capabilities, the Company supports and helps accelerate the development of life-changing treatments that can improve patient outcomes worldwide. “ All of us at FUJIFILM Biosciences take immense pride in being a people-focused company that empowers our colleagues to create an exceptional customer experience, ” said Brandon Pence, president and chief operating officer, FUJIFILM Biosciences. “ We utilize our 55-year legacy of deep industry knowledge to collaboratively develop innovative solutions and technologies that are supplied from our global network of manufacturing facilities. With this approach and our ongoing investments, we look ahead to a strong future with our employees, customers, and partners around the world. ” Contacts Media Contacts: Lori Serles FUJIFILM Biosciences Phone: (949) 261-7800 Email: lori.serles@fujifilm.com Lily Jeffery Zyme Communications Phone: +44 (0)7891 477 378 Email: lily.jeffery@zymecommunications.com

本文来自《中国化工园区》期刊2025年第3期。 摘要 在全球经济格局重塑与产业升级的双重压力下， 日本化学工业正经历一场深刻的自我革新。随着中国产能扩张挤压传统石化市场、人工智能与生命科学催生新需求， 日本企业以技术为矛、重组为盾，加速向高附加值领域转型。这场转型不仅关乎企业生存，更将决定日本在全球化工产业中的未来地位。 关键词：日本；转型；全球化工 石油化学 ：产能过剩倒逼结构性改革 日本乙烯产业正面临近 40 年来最严峻的挑战。2022 年中国乙烯产能超越美国成为全球第一后，仍以每年 500 万吨（相当于日本内需总量）的速度持续扩张。这一迅猛增长直接冲击了日本石化行业。目前日本全国共有 12 套乙烯装置，总产能超过 600 万吨 / 年，但由于内需疲软和出口萎缩，开工率已连续两年低于 90% 的盈亏临界线。更严峻的是，2023 年日本乙烯产量跌破 500 万吨，这是37 年来的首次，也意味着产能过剩超过 100 万吨。 面对这一严峻形势， 日本石化企业不得不采取断腕求生的重组策略。在京叶地区，三井化学与出光兴产已达成协议，计划在 2027 财年关停一套装置 ；丸善石油化学也正在研究在 2026 财年停运一套装置。在川崎地区，EN EOS（新日本石油）宣布将在 2027 财年末左右停产一套装置。这些调整意味着到 2027 年日本乙烯产能将缩减近 200 万吨/年。 但产能缩减只是第一步，更大的挑战在于如何重构整个产业链。乙烯装置的下游连接着众多衍生品生产厂家，这些企业现在都面临着原料来源的重构问题。三菱化学集团已经率先行动，于2024 年 3 月停产了位于福冈县黑崎地区的双酚 A装置，7 月又关停了广岛县的甲基丙烯酸甲酯生产线和丙烯腈及其衍生品装置。三井化学也决定在 2026 财年前停产位于千叶县市原的苯酚装置。 更引人注目的是，东丽公司宣布将在 2026 财年内退出对苯二甲酸生产领域，这意味着日本将彻底失去这一产品的本土生产能力。 这些调整反映出日本石化行业的一个共识 ：在传统大宗化学品领域与中国竞争已不现实，必须转向更高附加值的细分市场。然而，这种转型绝非易事，不仅需要巨额研发投入，还要妥善解决产能退出带来的就业和社会问题。 电子材料 ：占据半导体制造领域头部地位 与石化行业的收缩形成鲜明对比的是，日本企业在半导体材料领域正展现出强大的竞争力。在全球半导体制造的关键环节，日本企业的地位几乎不可替代。 在硅晶圆领域，虽然中国企业已经开始生产 200 毫米等通用规格产品，但在 300 毫米等前沿产品上，信越化学工业和 SUMCO（胜高）两家日本企业仍然占据全球主导地位。特别是在最先进制程芯片所需的超高纯度硅晶圆方面，日本企业保持着 90% 以上的市场份额。 光刻胶是另一个日本占据绝对优势的领域。从早期的i 线（365 纳米）、KrF（248 纳米）到 ArF（193 纳米），再到最尖端的 EU V（极紫外线，13.5 纳米）光刻胶，日本企业始终走在技术最前沿。东京应化工业、JSR（捷时雅）等公司在纯度控制和量产稳定性方面建立了极高的技术壁垒，其产品中的杂质含量可以控制在万亿分之一级别，这是其他国家企业难以企及的。 除了这些核心材料，日本企业在半导体制造的各个环节都占据重要位置。三井化学的光掩模保护膜、JX 金属的溅射靶材、栗田工业和奥加诺的超纯水系统、华尔卡的药液储存用衬里储罐随着半导体制造技术向更先进节点发展，后端封装技术的重要性日益凸显。在这一领域，日本企业同样展现出强大的技术实力。揖斐电和新光电气工业在封装基板领域占据领先地位 ；松下和三菱瓦斯化学是重要的基板材料供应商 ；Resonac（原昭和电工）和住友电木提供关键的封装材料 ；田中电子工业则在高性能键合丝领域保持优势。 特别值得注意的是，全球半导体巨头正在将封装研发中心向日本集中。台积电、三星电子、英特尔等公司相继在日本设立下一代封装研发机构，这进一步强化了日本材料企业的市场地位。这种趋势表明，日本正在从单纯的材料供应商向技术解决方案提供商转型。 在显示材料领域， 日本企业同样面临着挑战与机遇并存的局面。中国企业在液晶显示器 (LCD)领域的快速崛起给日本企业带来了巨大压力。目前中国 LCD 面板产量已占全球 70% 以上，在偏光板等关键组件领域也涌现出杉金光电、恒美光电等具有全球竞争力的企业。 面对这一形势， 日本企业选择了差异化竞争策略。可乐丽公司在偏光片基材——光学用聚乙烯醇 (PVA) 薄膜领域保持着全球 80% 的市场份额。为应对 LCD 面板大型化的趋势，该公司在冈山县仓敷市新建的宽幅生产线已于去年投产。同样，由藤森工业更名而来的 ZACROS 公司正在积极推进偏光板保护膜的扩产计划，计划在 2026 年下半年投产可支持 3000 毫米宽幅的新生产线。 在新型显示技术领域， 日本企业也在积极布局。富士胶片凭借其在 LCD 偏光片用三醋酸纤维素 (TAC) 薄膜的传统优势，成功开发出用于 OLED面板的液晶涂布型相位差板，实现了业务的平稳过渡。目前，富士胶片的显示材料业务销售额已达到 1000 亿日元规模，其中非 TAC 薄膜产品占比已提升至 50% 左右。 随着 MicroLED、AMOLED 等新技术的商业化进程加速，日本材料企业正在这些领域加大研发投入，以期在新一轮技术迭代中保持领先地位。 生命科学 ：CDMO 热潮与生物技术困局 生命科学领域是日本化学企业转型的另一个重要方向，其中生物医药合同研发生产组织(CDMO) 业务最受关注。在全球制药行业研发外包趋势日益明显的背景下，日本化工巨头纷纷加大在这一领域的投入。 富士胶片提出了成为“医药界台积电”的宏伟目标，通过提升单个生物反应器的产能和质量来强化竞争力。该公司在生物制药 CDMO 领域进行了巨额投资，建立了从临床前到商业化生产的完整服务体系。 AG C（原旭硝子）也将生命科学业务定位为战略重点，其业务范围涵盖小分子药物、抗体药物、基因与细胞治疗、信使核糖核酸 (mRNA) 等前沿领域。尽管该业务曾保持 15% 以上的年均复合增长率，但在 2023 年却因美国生物技术初创企业融资环境恶化而计提了 1183 亿日元的减值损失。这一事件凸显了 CDMO 业务对资本市场的高度敏感性。 面对挑战，日本企业正在调整战略。AG C 计划将半导体材料业务中积累的生产效率优化经验应用到 CD MO 领域，同时平衡临床试验项目和商业化生产项目的比例，以降低经营风险。 在农业领域，日本化学企业也在积极转型。随着欧洲市场对环保要求的提高，生物刺激素等新型农用化学品受到越来越多的关注。这些产品通过微生物技术增强作物抗逆性，既能提高产量又能减少化学农药使用。住友化学等公司正在这一领域加大研发投入，推出了一系列天然源农药和生物刺激素产品。 不确定性 ：地缘政治影响与未来挑战 日本化学工业的转型之路并非一帆风顺，地缘政治因素正在带来新的不确定性。中美科技竞争是一把双刃剑 ：一方面，美国对华半导体出口管制强化了日本电子材料企业的市场地位 ；另一方面，中国在石化产品方面的自给率提升又挤压了日本传统业务空间。 从长远来看，日本化学工业需要解决两个结构性矛盾：一是如何保持在高附加值领域的技术领先优势，二是如何平稳完成传统业务的重组转型。前者需要持续的高强度研发投入，后者则涉及复杂的产业政策和社会协调。 日本化学工业的这场转型，本质上是一次艰难的自我革命。在“守”（重组传统石化业务）与“攻”（拓展高附加值领域）的双线作战中，日本企业展现出了强大的技术底蕴和战略韧性。半导体材料领域的优势地位、生命科学领域的积极布局，显示出日本化工产业仍然具备强大的创新能力。 然而，挑战同样不容忽视 ：全球供应链重构带来的不确定性、技术迭代加速要求的持续投入、传统业务退出涉及的社会成本等，都是必须面对的难题。未来五年将是决定转型成败的关键这场转型不仅关乎日本化学工业的未来，也为全球化工产业升级提供了重要参照。无论结果如何，日本企业的探索和实践都将为化工行业发展留下宝贵经验。  （摘自《2024-2025 日本化工企业的中国战略》，由《日本化学工业日报》供稿，陈世滨编辑整理） 来源：本文来自《中国化工园区》期刊2025年第3期，兴园化工园区研究院综合整理，转载请标注来源。 免责声明：所载内容来源于互联网，微信公众号等公开渠道，我们对文中观点持中立态度，本文仅供参考、交流。转载的稿件版权归原作者和机构所有，如有侵权，请联系我们删除。