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Japan's Shin-Etsu ramping up output to meet fiber-optic boom

Chemical maker hopes to cash in on dawn of 5G mobile service

Shin-Etsu Chemical will greatly expand production of synthetic quartz, used to make high-grade optical fiber.

TOKYO -- Shin-Etsu Chemical will dramatically increase production of a key optical fiber material in the coming years, anticipating strong demand for high-speed transmission cable as cellular carriers prepare to launch fifth-generation service.

The Tokyo-based chemical company is seen investing 18 billion yen ($160 million) to expand output of synthetic quartz, a critical ingredient of the fine glass filaments at the heart of high-speed data transmission systems. A quartz cylinder 2 meters long and 20cm in diameter can be used to make roughly 3,900km of optical fiber. The synthetic type that Shin-Etsu produces is purer than natural quartz, allowing optical signals to pass through relatively undisturbed.

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