09.01.11
Tokyo, Japan
www.mitsui.com/jp
2011 Nonwovens Sales: $219 million
Key Personnel: Kensaku Takahashi, general manager, spunbond fabrics division
Plants: Yokkaichi and Iwakuni, Japan
Processes: Spunbond, meltblown, needlepunch, thermal bonded
Brands: Tafnel, Syntex
Major Markets: Coverstock, geotextiles, oil absorbing materials, air filters, wipes, agriculture materials, household materials
Annually, Mitsui Chemicals produces 40,000 tons of polypropylene spunbond nonwovens on five lines and 9,000 tons of SMS on one line—all in Japan. Additionally, MHM, the company’s Thai subsidiary, makes 30,000 tons of SMS on two lines.
The company’s latest line, which produces 15,000 tons per year, was added in Japan in April 2012. Additionally, the company has established a Chinese subsidiary in December 2011. The first line in this subsidiary, which also produces 15,000 tons per year, is expected to start operation in December 2013 in Tianjin. Once this line is complete, the company will have manufacturing assets in Japan, China and Thailand, giving it greater access to the entire Asian region. This will allow the company to capitalize on increased demand for diapers in Southeast Asia and China.
The new Chinese line will match the same high quality as Mitsui’s assets in Japan to meet demand for sophisticated diapers whereas the lines in Thailand make more general-purpose nonwovens. According to reports, Mitsui chose to make varying grades of nonwovens in China and Thailand due to free trade agreements between the countries that have reduced import duties. This allows the two sites to supply each other depending on market needs.
A producer of polypropylene polymers, Mitsui is able to make unique nonwovens, superior to competitors that use similar Reifenhauser technology, executives say. This gives the company an advantage in markets like baby diapers, feminine hygiene items, adult incontinence and medical.
www.mitsui.com/jp
2011 Nonwovens Sales: $219 million
Key Personnel: Kensaku Takahashi, general manager, spunbond fabrics division
Plants: Yokkaichi and Iwakuni, Japan
Processes: Spunbond, meltblown, needlepunch, thermal bonded
Brands: Tafnel, Syntex
Major Markets: Coverstock, geotextiles, oil absorbing materials, air filters, wipes, agriculture materials, household materials
Annually, Mitsui Chemicals produces 40,000 tons of polypropylene spunbond nonwovens on five lines and 9,000 tons of SMS on one line—all in Japan. Additionally, MHM, the company’s Thai subsidiary, makes 30,000 tons of SMS on two lines.
The company’s latest line, which produces 15,000 tons per year, was added in Japan in April 2012. Additionally, the company has established a Chinese subsidiary in December 2011. The first line in this subsidiary, which also produces 15,000 tons per year, is expected to start operation in December 2013 in Tianjin. Once this line is complete, the company will have manufacturing assets in Japan, China and Thailand, giving it greater access to the entire Asian region. This will allow the company to capitalize on increased demand for diapers in Southeast Asia and China.
The new Chinese line will match the same high quality as Mitsui’s assets in Japan to meet demand for sophisticated diapers whereas the lines in Thailand make more general-purpose nonwovens. According to reports, Mitsui chose to make varying grades of nonwovens in China and Thailand due to free trade agreements between the countries that have reduced import duties. This allows the two sites to supply each other depending on market needs.
A producer of polypropylene polymers, Mitsui is able to make unique nonwovens, superior to competitors that use similar Reifenhauser technology, executives say. This gives the company an advantage in markets like baby diapers, feminine hygiene items, adult incontinence and medical.