Capacity expansion of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene by Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. (Product Name: HI-ZEX MILLION)

November 2, 2009
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Toshikazu Tanaka, President & CEO) announced its production capacity expansion for ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (Product name: HI-ZEX MILLION) which has excellent abrasion-resistance, impact-strength by constructing a new plant at Iwakuni-Ohtake Works.

Outline

1. ProductUltra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
2. Product NameHI-ZEX MILLION
3. LocationIwakuni-Ohtake Works, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
4. CapacityIncrease of 2500 tons/year (+50% over current production capacity)
5. ScheduleConstruction: Start in February, 2010   End in June 2011
Commercial Production: Start in September, 2011

HI-ZEX MILLION is ultra high molecular weight polyethylene which has molecular weight up to maximum 6 million, and has very unique characteristics depending on Mitsui Chemicals’ original catalyst and process technologies. HI-ZEX MILLION is used as industrial materials, for medical equipments, and in various other fields by its excellent mechanical properties. Especially, highly controlled distributions in particle size and molecular weight of HI-ZEX MILLION show superior quality advantage in high strength fibers which contribute to reduce weight of industrial materials and lithium ion battery separators to improve energy efficiency.

Since the markets for high strength fibers and lithium ion battery separators are expected to rapidly grow, Mitsui Chemicals decided to expand its production capacity for HI-ZEX MILLION to respond to increasing market demand. Mitsui Chemicals is confident to continue to strengthen and expand its HI-ZEX MILLION operations with its advanced technologies.


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