Some of you might remember it as one of the two Japanese companies that manufactured photographic film. It is Fujifilm (the other one was Kodak).
This imaging technology has been surpassed. But capital has no obsessions. And so Fujifilm (essentially a specialized chemical industry) turned towards one of the sectors of the present and future: bio-pharmaceuticals!
Recently, the company’s CEOs announced that they will “invest” nearly $1.5 billion (200 billion yen) to expand the related production and research they are already conducting. This amount will go toward constructing new bio-reactors and other equipment at Fujifilm’s existing facilities in Denmark, making them the largest “contract biologics manufacturing” units in Europe. The relevant subsidiary is called Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and it initially emerged from the acquisition of the American Merck’s factory network…
Which other industrial mammoth moves comfortably in this sector? The South Korean Samsung, known for anything else except “health production”! And yet: Samsung Biologics, its subsidiary, announced in 2021 a 44% increase in its profits as its three factories are operating at full capacity. The fourth factory, which is under construction, will be the largest in the world; while it is looking for acquisition opportunities in the US and Europe.
Where were we? At the salvation of humanity? The money is a lot, way too much!!!