09.01.11
Osaka, Japan
www.unitika.co.jp
2011 Nonwovens Sales: $122 million
Key Personnel: Hiroshi Yoshihara, general manager, nonwoven fabrics; Tetsuya Yoshimura, general manager, spunbond fabrics sales
Plants: Okazaki and Tarui, Japan
Processes: Spunbond, spunlace
Brands: Marix, Eleves, Appeal, Wiwi, Alcima, Terramac, Cottoace
Major Markets: Agriculture materials, carpet backings, geotextiles, cable wraps, wipes, storage bags, coverstock, roofing sheets
Nonwovens sales were strong for Japanese producer Unitika thanks to steady shipments to the construction and civil engineering segments. However, profits were down because the company failed to account for rising raw material and fuel prices.
In terms of capacity, Unitika makes 22,000 tons of polyester spunbond nonwovens per year in Japan while spunlace output is 5,000 tons. Additionally, the company’s Thai subsidiary, Thai Tusco, makes 5,000 tons of polyester-based spunbond nonwovens per year, and its joint corporation with Marusan Industry, UMCT, can make 5,000 tons of the material per year.
In 2011, Thai Tusco was damaged by flooding in the region and production on two of its lines was halted. One line reopened in March 2012 and the other started up again in April. During the closure, Unitika’s Japan sites picked up the slack so customer supply was not impacted. Tusco has become an important foothold in the overseas market for Unitika and executives have considered expanding this site.
In Unitika’s spunlace business, the market has been favorable as the demand for wet wipes is increasing and the company is looking into expanding its marketing activities into China.
www.unitika.co.jp
2011 Nonwovens Sales: $122 million
Key Personnel: Hiroshi Yoshihara, general manager, nonwoven fabrics; Tetsuya Yoshimura, general manager, spunbond fabrics sales
Plants: Okazaki and Tarui, Japan
Processes: Spunbond, spunlace
Brands: Marix, Eleves, Appeal, Wiwi, Alcima, Terramac, Cottoace
Major Markets: Agriculture materials, carpet backings, geotextiles, cable wraps, wipes, storage bags, coverstock, roofing sheets
Nonwovens sales were strong for Japanese producer Unitika thanks to steady shipments to the construction and civil engineering segments. However, profits were down because the company failed to account for rising raw material and fuel prices.
In terms of capacity, Unitika makes 22,000 tons of polyester spunbond nonwovens per year in Japan while spunlace output is 5,000 tons. Additionally, the company’s Thai subsidiary, Thai Tusco, makes 5,000 tons of polyester-based spunbond nonwovens per year, and its joint corporation with Marusan Industry, UMCT, can make 5,000 tons of the material per year.
In 2011, Thai Tusco was damaged by flooding in the region and production on two of its lines was halted. One line reopened in March 2012 and the other started up again in April. During the closure, Unitika’s Japan sites picked up the slack so customer supply was not impacted. Tusco has become an important foothold in the overseas market for Unitika and executives have considered expanding this site.
In Unitika’s spunlace business, the market has been favorable as the demand for wet wipes is increasing and the company is looking into expanding its marketing activities into China.