Tokyo -- (JCN Newswire) --

Showa Denko (SDK) (TOKYO:4004) has strengthened its system to support customers for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC*) columns by introducing new equipment and expanding the relevant facility at the Kawasaki Plant.

As part of its separation/refining business, SDK is developing, manufacturing, and selling various products pertaining to HPLC. SDK has been providing a wide variety of analytical HPLC columns** with the brand name of "Shodex(TM)" for more than 40 years. The Shodex(TM) columns are delivered to wide-ranging customers in the world, including public institutions and R&D/quality control sectors of private enterprises, through the Showa Denko Group's global sales network.

So far, the customer support function was integrated with the Shodex(TM) production section at the Kawasaki Plant. In view of the increasing need for support of both domestic and overseas customers, SDK has established a new service center with wider floor space within the premises of the Kawasaki Plant. SDK has also introduced the latest equipment at the center to ensure speedy customer support.

With the new customer support system, SDK will aim to further strengthen its business in HPLC columns and other scientific instruments through its global sales network. SDK is cooperating with its consolidated subsidiary Shoko Co., Ltd. and Shoko's affiliate Shoko Scientific Co., Ltd. in Japan, as well as Showa Denko America, Inc., Showa Denko Europe GmbH, and Shodex China Co., Ltd. in overseas markets.

Notes

* HPLC: A form of chromatography for analyzing compounds. Pressurized liquid is pumped into and passed through a column packed with gels. This process enables efficient separation as well as quick and high-sensitivity detection and determination of various compounds. This technology is applicable to any water- or oil-soluble compounds, and is used in wide areas such as organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, medicine, food, and environmental analysis.

** HPLC columns: Stainless-steel or plastic columns packed with beads gels (spherical particles). A sample to be analyzed (liquid) is injected into the column from one end. Various chemical components contained in the sample are separated (depending on the characteristics of the particles and chemicals), extracted from the column, and analyzed. SDK offers more than 800 different types of HPLC columns.

About Showa Denko

<BR /><BR />Showa Denko K.K. ('SDK'; TSE: 4004, US: SHWDF) is a major manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving a wide range of fields ranging from heavy industry to the electronic and computer industries. SDK makes petrochemicals (ethylene, propylene), aluminum products (ingots, rods), electronic equipment (hard disks for computers) and inorganic materials (ceramics, carbons). The company has overseas operations and a joint venture with Netherlands-based Montell and Nippon Petrochemicals to make and market polypropylenes. In March 2001, SDK merged with Showa Denko Aluminum Corporation to strengthen the high-value-added fabricated aluminum products operations, and is today developing next-generation optical communications-use wafers. For more information, please visit www.sdk.co.jp .

Contact:

Showa Denko (SDK)
Public Relations Office
Phone: +81-3-5470-3235