Medical equipment manufacturer Gunze has announced its plans to build a third medical facility and expand its research and development (R&D) laboratory in Ayabe, Kyoto, Japan.

This new facility is intended to boost the production of TENALEAF, an absorbable adhesive barrier sheet used in surgery.

Gunze has made a total investment of approximately Y3.5bn in these medical facilities.

The new third plant is expected to obtain an environmental performance grade of B+ or above under the Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency accreditation, aiming to minimise carbon dioxide emissions by utilising high-efficiency air cooling and solar power generation systems.

Construction works on this third plant are scheduled to begin in March next year and are expected to be completed in February 2025.

Gunze claims it encourages company-wide actions to mitigate the environmental effects of its business activities, aims for environmentally friendly management, as well as contributes to the development of the local community in Kyoto by boosting the economy via providing new job possibilities.

With the R&D facility expansion plans meanwhile, the company aims to further bolster the development potential of next-generation products, facilitate mass production, as well as enhance its working environment by establishing an open office for technical staff.

Construction works on this R&D laboratory are set to begin in April 2025 and are expected to be completed in September of the same year.