01.01.09
Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
Sales: $155 Million
Description: Key Personnel
Haruhiro Uesugi, general manager, life and energy materials division
Plants
Japan, Thailand
Processes
Spunbonded, needlepunched, meltblown, thermal bonded
Brand Names
Tafnel, Syntex
Major Markets
Coverstock, geotextiles, oil absorbing materials, air filters, wipes, agriculture materials, household materials.
Mitsui Chemicals’ annual production capacity of nonwovens is 64,000 tons per year at its sites in Japan and Thailand. Among its output is polypropylene spunbonded nonwovens, SMS and SMMS.
In 2008, the company’s nonwovens sales increased, partly because of its role in the diaper market. In particular, demand in Thailand and China is driving growth. Mitsui is partially serving this demand with a new 16,000-ton spunmelt line at its MHM facility in Thailand, which began operating in January 2008. MHM also makes microporous films for the diaper market with an annual capacity of 6000 tons per year and can supply a backsheet film for diapers, which is laminated nonwovens with microporous films. About 80% of MHM’s output is exported.
MHM has been making nonwovens since March 2003 and since then has grown to comprise a significant share of Mitsui’s nonwovens operation. Currently, this operation makes nearly the same amount of nonwovens as the Japanese business and the cost competitiveness is much stronger than it is in Japan. Additionally, growth prospects within Asia and China are much stronger than in Japan.
Sales: $155 Million
Description: Key Personnel
Haruhiro Uesugi, general manager, life and energy materials division
Plants
Japan, Thailand
Processes
Spunbonded, needlepunched, meltblown, thermal bonded
Brand Names
Tafnel, Syntex
Major Markets
Coverstock, geotextiles, oil absorbing materials, air filters, wipes, agriculture materials, household materials.
Mitsui Chemicals’ annual production capacity of nonwovens is 64,000 tons per year at its sites in Japan and Thailand. Among its output is polypropylene spunbonded nonwovens, SMS and SMMS.
In 2008, the company’s nonwovens sales increased, partly because of its role in the diaper market. In particular, demand in Thailand and China is driving growth. Mitsui is partially serving this demand with a new 16,000-ton spunmelt line at its MHM facility in Thailand, which began operating in January 2008. MHM also makes microporous films for the diaper market with an annual capacity of 6000 tons per year and can supply a backsheet film for diapers, which is laminated nonwovens with microporous films. About 80% of MHM’s output is exported.
MHM has been making nonwovens since March 2003 and since then has grown to comprise a significant share of Mitsui’s nonwovens operation. Currently, this operation makes nearly the same amount of nonwovens as the Japanese business and the cost competitiveness is much stronger than it is in Japan. Additionally, growth prospects within Asia and China are much stronger than in Japan.