Tokyo, New York, and Düsseldorf – February 27, 2024 – To contribute to reducing the risk of potentially carcinogenic nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements, Asahi Kasei now offers Ceolus™ microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with nitrite levels of 0.1 μg/g (ppm) or less.
In 2018, a potentially carcinogenic nitrosamine impurity was detected in several pharmaceuticals. Since then, public awareness of the potential health hazards of nitrosamine has increased significantly worldwide. Guided by regional authorities such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the pharmaceutical industry has been carrying out extensive assessments and research to identify the cause of the impurities. One risk factor for the formation of nitrosamine is nitrosation – a reaction of secondary or tertiary amines with nitrites during or after the manufacturing process of drug substances and drug products. Reducing the concentration of nitrites in raw materials for pharmaceuticals is considered to be an effective way to lower the risk of nitrosamine formation.
Minimizing nitrite level in various Ceolus™ grades
Asahi Kasei has been manufacturing Ceolus™ microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan since 1970. MCC is made from natural pulp, mainly used as an excipient for pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, and foods. Ceolus™ is primarily used as a tablet binder, an additive that provides shape and increases the volume of pharmaceutical tablets. High-performance grades of Ceolus™ in particular enable pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement manufacturers to realize challenging formulations, solve tableting issues, and produce unique and patient-friendly dosage forms. In order to reduce potential health hazards due to nitrosamine impurities, Asahi Kasei has succeeded in maintaining the nitrite concentration of Ceolus™ to 0.1 ppm or less (see image).
„Controlling the nitrite concentration in our products is an important step to ensure the provision of safer pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. We will continue to work on further improvements, and emphasize the importance of reducing the risk of nitrosamine impurities,“ says Hideyuki Kimura, Senior General Manager of Asahi Kasei“s Healthcare Materials Division responsible for Ceolus™.
Start of second plant
In January 2024, Asahi Kasei started full commercial operation of its second manufacturing facility for Ceolus™ at its Mizushima Works in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. This not only raises supply capacity but also enhances the stability of supply through production at multiple sites.
About Asahi Kasei
The Asahi Kasei Group contributes to life and living for people around the world. Since its founding in 1922 with ammonia and cellulose fiber businesses, Asahi Kasei has consistently grown through the proactive transformation of its business portfolio to meet the evolving needs of every age. With more than 48,000 employees worldwide, the company contributes to a sustainable society by providing solutions to the world’s challenges through its three business sectors of Material, Homes, and Health Care. Its Material sector, comprised of Environmental Solutions, Mobility & Industrial, and Life Innovation, includes a wide array of products from battery separators and biodegradable textiles to engineering plastics and sound solutions. For more information, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/
Asahi Kasei is also dedicated to sustainability initiatives and is contributing to reaching a carbon-neutral society by 2050. To learn more, visit https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/
North America Contact:
Asahi Kasei America Inc.
Christian Okeefe
christian.okeefe@ak-america.com
Europe Contact:
Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH
Sebastian Schmidt
sebastian.schmidt@asahi-kasei.eu
About the Asahi Kasei Corporation
Asahi Kasei Corporation is a globally active diversified technology company with operations in the Material, Homes, and Health Care business sectors. The Material sector encompasses fibers & textiles, petrochemicals, performance polymers, performance materials, consumables, battery separators, and electronic devices. The Homes sector provides housing and construction materials to the Japanese market. The Health Care sector includes pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and acute critical care devices and systems. With more than 46,000 employees around the world, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries and achieved sales of 20 billion euros (2.726 billion yen) in the fiscal year 2022 (April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023).
Asahi Kasei is „Creating for Tomorrow“ with all operations sharing a common mission of contributing to life and living for people around the world. For more information, visit
www.asahi-kasei.eu, www.asahi-kasei.com and https://www.asahi-kasei.com/sustainability/
Company-Contact
Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH
Sebastian Schmidt
Fringsstraße 17
40221 Düsseldorf
Phone: +49 (0)211 3399-2058
E-Mail: 
Url: https://www.asahi-kasei.eu/
Press
financial relations GmbH
Henning Küll
Louisenstraße 97
61348 Bad Homburg
Phone: +49 (0) 6172 27159 12
E-Mail: 
Url: http://www.financial-relations.de
Bildquelle: Asahi Kasei
