01.01.02
Location: Osaka, Japan
Sales: $84 Million
Description: Key Personnel
Yoshihiko Mineda, managing director; Noriyuki Kimura, general manager, spunlaced fabrics sales
Plants
Okazaki, Tarui
Processes
Spunbond, spunlaced
Brand Names
Marix, Eleves, Nyace, Wiwi, Cottoace
Major Markets
Agricultural materials, carpet backings, geotextiles, cable wraps, wipes, storage bags, coverstock roofing sheets
With sales of $84 million, roll goods producer Unitika, Osaka, Japan, continues to focus on its spunbonded nonwovens production capabilities. While the company has postponed plans to increase its spunbond capacity, now 20,000 tons, by 7000 tons due to unfavorable market conditions, the company will increase its capacity 2000 tons by improving existing equipment during the first half of 2003. The larger scale expansion plan is expected to be revisited in 2004
Currently producing polyester, nylon and bicomponent spunbonded materials, the company plans to improve its bicomponent production based on market preferences.
In addition to its spunbond operations, Unitika manufactures 5000 tons of spunlaced materials per year. This figure includes a 2500-ton expansion completed in May. Sales of spunlaced materials are reportedly outpacing spunbond sales.
Looking outside of Japan, Unitika operates a joint venture company with Teijin Films, Osaka, Japan, in Thailand. Named Thai Tusco, the joint venture produces 4000 tons of polyester spunbonded nonwovens per year. The company is hoping to increase this capacity to 6000 tons by focusing on improving its existing capacity and expects to someday increase its output to 10,000 tons. Approximately 80% of the material produced through Thai Tusco is consumed within Thailand whereas 20% is exported. The U.S. carpet backing market is the chief area of export.
Sales: $84 Million
Description: Key Personnel
Yoshihiko Mineda, managing director; Noriyuki Kimura, general manager, spunlaced fabrics sales
Plants
Okazaki, Tarui
Processes
Spunbond, spunlaced
Brand Names
Marix, Eleves, Nyace, Wiwi, Cottoace
Major Markets
Agricultural materials, carpet backings, geotextiles, cable wraps, wipes, storage bags, coverstock roofing sheets
With sales of $84 million, roll goods producer Unitika, Osaka, Japan, continues to focus on its spunbonded nonwovens production capabilities. While the company has postponed plans to increase its spunbond capacity, now 20,000 tons, by 7000 tons due to unfavorable market conditions, the company will increase its capacity 2000 tons by improving existing equipment during the first half of 2003. The larger scale expansion plan is expected to be revisited in 2004
Currently producing polyester, nylon and bicomponent spunbonded materials, the company plans to improve its bicomponent production based on market preferences.
In addition to its spunbond operations, Unitika manufactures 5000 tons of spunlaced materials per year. This figure includes a 2500-ton expansion completed in May. Sales of spunlaced materials are reportedly outpacing spunbond sales.
Looking outside of Japan, Unitika operates a joint venture company with Teijin Films, Osaka, Japan, in Thailand. Named Thai Tusco, the joint venture produces 4000 tons of polyester spunbonded nonwovens per year. The company is hoping to increase this capacity to 6000 tons by focusing on improving its existing capacity and expects to someday increase its output to 10,000 tons. Approximately 80% of the material produced through Thai Tusco is consumed within Thailand whereas 20% is exported. The U.S. carpet backing market is the chief area of export.