Koura

February 9th, 2023
Sojitz Corporation
Mexichem Fluor, S.A.de C.V.
Mexichem Fluor Japan Ltd.
Sojitz Corporation, Mexichem Fluor, S.A.de C.V.

and Mexichem Fluor Japan Ltd. Sign Agreement
with Kitakyushu City to Establish a Stable Supply for Fluorinated Products
- Strengthening the Supply Chain for Semiconductors and Next-Generation Batteries -
Sojitz Corporation (“Sojitz”) and Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business Mexichem Fluor,
S.A.de C.V. (“Koura”), a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and supply of
fluorinated products headquartered in the U.S., and its Japanese entity Mexichem Fluor
Japan Ltd., have entered into a regional land cooperation agreement (hereinafter,
"Agreement") with Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture (hereinafter, "Kitakyushu City")
with the aim of establishing a stable domestic supply of fluorinated materials for which
further growth in demand is expected.
[Signing Ceremony (from left) Mayor Kitahashi, Kitakyushu City / President Fujimoto, Sojitz Corporation
/President Smith, Koura / President Komai, Mexichem Fluor Japan Ltd.]
*The mask is removed only when photo session
Based on this Agreement, the parties aim to construct a manufacturing base for fluorine
raw materials in Hibikinada Oceanfront Industrial Park. The location in Kitakyushu City has
a competitive advantage for its well-established industrial and logistical infrastructure. This
manufacturing base will strengthen the fluorine supply chain in Japan built on the foundation
of stable integrated feedstock from Koura fluorspar mines – fluorspar being the key raw
material for hydrogen fluoride, which is used as the starting material for fluorinated products.
In addition, this project has been selected by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s
"Program for Promoting Investment in Japan to Strengthen Supply Chains," and this
initiative is anticipated to contribute to the steady development of Japan’s industries.
Each fluorinated product has unique properties and is used in a wide range of industries. In
particular, it is an essential material for industries that will become increasingly important
in the future, such as semiconductors, next-generation batteries, medical and
telecommunications. While demand for fluorinated products is expected to increase as each
industry grows, Japan currently imports most of its domestic demand for fluorine raw
materials from overseas.
In this project, the parties will combine Koura’s strength as the world's largest fluorspar
miner with associated fluorine raw material expertise, together with Sojitz's business
management know-how and sales network to create Japan's first fluorinated materials
production business using fluorspar produced in Mexico. Through this initiative, the parties
aim to contribute to the strengthening of the fluorine supply chain in Japan and the
development of downstream industries.
Through the support of Kitakyushu City, the volume of cargo handled at the Port of
Kitakyushu is expected to increase, including the import of raw materials and the transport
of product, which will also contribute to the creation of new jobs. In addition, the project will
support the revitalization of the semiconductor industry in the Kyushu area, which is in line
with the growth strategy of Kyushu, known as "Silicon Island."
With the execution of this Agreement, the parties will promote the development of new
businesses that meet social needs under a strong partnership with Sojitz and Koura that has
lasted more than 30 years.
About Sojitz Corporation
For more than 160 years, Sojitz's business has helped to support the development of
countless countries and regions. Today, the Sojitz Group consists of approximately 400
subsidiaries and affiliates located in Japan and throughout the world, developing wide-
ranging general trading company operations in a multitude of countries and regions.
About Orbia
Orbia is a company driven by a shared purpose: to advance life around the world. Orbia
operates in the Polymer Solutions (Vestolit and Alphagary), Building and Infrastructure
(Wavin), Precision Agriculture (Netafim), Connectivity Solutions (Dura-Line) and Fluorinated
Solutions (Koura) sectors. The five Orbia business groups have a collective focus on expanding
access to health and wellness, reinventing the future of cities and homes, ensuring food and
water security, connecting communities to information and accelerating a circular economy
with basic and advanced materials, specialty products and innovative solutions. Orbia has
commercial activities in more than 110 countries and operations in over 50, with global
headquarters in Boston, Mexico City, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv. To learn more, visit: orbia.com.
About Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions (Koura)

Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business Koura is a global leader in the development,
manufacture and supply of fluorinated products that play a fundamental role in enhancing
everyday lives and shortening the path to a sustainable, circular economy. Backed by over 35
years of experience, Koura’s products are used in a vast range of applications including electric
vehicles and energy storage, urban and rural infrastructure, indoor climate management, food
and medicine refrigeration and even in treating respiratory conditions through the
development of healthy and innovative low-GWP propellants for metered-dose inhalers. Koura
has 1,600 employees and 13 manufacturing facilities worldwide, serving 60 countries through
a global sales and distribution network.
[Location of Hibikinada Oceanfront Industrial Park, Wakamatsu Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture]
[Plant overview (assumption)]

Product Hydrogen fluoride
Site Size Approx. 17ha
Estimated Schedule Completion in FY2025
(Reference)
[Company Overview – Orbia]
Company Name Orbia
Established 1978
Global Headquarters Boston, Mexico City, Amsterdam, and Tel Aviv
Main Business Polymer Solutions (Vestolit and Alphagary), Building
and Infrastructure (Wavin), Precision Agriculture
(Netafim), Connectivity Solutions (Dura-Line) and
Fluorinated Solutions (Koura) sectors
Website https://www.orbia.com/
[Company Overview – Mexichem Fluor, S.A. DE C.V.]

Brand Name Koura
Established 1971
Head Office San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Main Business Fluorspar, fluorine raw materials and fluorinated
products manufacturing business
Website https://www.kouraglobal.com/
[Company Overview – Mexichem Fluor Japan Ltd.]
Established 1992
Head Office Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Main Business Fluorinated products manufacturing business
[For questions regarding this press release, contact:]

Sojitz Corporation Public Relations Department +81-3-6871-3404
Mexichem Fluor Japan Ltd. People & Administration Department +81-3-5462-8661

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February 9th, 2023

Sojitz Corporation, Mexichem Fluor, S.A.de C.V.

About Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions (Koura)

[Plant overview (assumption)]

[Company Overview – Mexichem Fluor, S.A. DE C.V.]

[For questions regarding this press release, contact:]

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