Global Expansion of Metallocene Polymer Business
November 9, 2012
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Toshikazu Tanaka, President & CEO) announced the decision to expand global metallocene business operations under its subsidiary, Prime Polymer Co., Ltd. (Yasuhiko Ohtawa, President), by establishing a sales company and expanding production facilities in Singapore for its metallocene linear low density polyethylene, EVOLUE™.
Targeting acceleration of basic business strategies outlined in the fiscal 2011 mid-term business plan, the Group is prioritizing management resources. Notably, to strengthen the Group's competitive edge in performance-driven polymers, which employ state-of-the-art proprietary technology including high performance catalysts, focus is on functional improvements and global expansion. The EVOLUE™ business is one of the cores of this strategy.
The decision to augment production facilities in Singapore for EVOLUE™, eyes the expected growth in Asian market demand for high performance, high strength sealant material for use with powders and liquids, and with characteristics including good fisheye heat sealing, low odor, and minimum heat sealing.
In November 2011, to capture shares of this growth market, the Group augmented production capacities at its Ichihara Works (240,000 tons to 300,000 tons/year). The new plant with a capacity of 300,000 tons a year will be situated in Singapore, the hub of Asian demand.
EVOLUE™ is used as a raw material in the manufacture of the highly functional sealant film T.U.X.™, for which Mitsui Chemicals Tohcello Inc. decided to construct new production facilities in Thailand (tentative commercial operation early 2014). T.U.X.™, TAFMER™ (resin modifier), ADMER™ (adhesive resin), and TAKENATE™/TAKELAC™ (coating adhesives), are expected to greatly contribute to improvement in functional package materials in Asia and to safe and hygienic food preservation.
The Mitsui Chemicals Group will continue its ongoing efforts to improve and expand its performance-driven food packaging materials through intensification of production, distribution, and technical service, to target the strengthening of its global presence as a major chemical manufacturer.
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- For further details, please see the news release by Prime Polymer, Co., Ltd.
