09.20.18
Tokyo, Japan
www.mitsui.com.jp
2018 Nonwovens Sales: $218 million
Key Personnel
Akihiro Tachibana, general manager, nonwoven fabrics division
Plants
Yokkaichi and Nagoya, Japan; Tianjin, China; Rayong, Thailand
Processes
Spunbond, meltblown, needlepunch, thermal bonded nonwovens
Brand Names
Tafnel, Syntex, Syntex Nano, Airyfa
Major Markets
Coverstock, geotextiles, oil absorbing materials, air filters, wipes, agriculture materials, household materials
Mitsui Chemicals’ annual production capacity of polypropylene spunbond nonwovens was 58,000 tons in Japan, 30,000 tons in Thailand, 15,000 tons in China, totaling 103,000 tons. The production capacity of its meltblown nonwovens was 1000 tons/year.
In terms of the nonwoven business in Japan in 2018, the quantities of production greatly decreased in the baby diaper category. Therefore, the demand for polypropylene spunbond nonwovens had declined, which led to a decrease in sales in the nonwovens business. New capacity of 15,000 tons/year was added in Mitsui’s Nagoya factory, while 6000 tons/year was added in the Yokkaichi factory in October 2018, bringing production capacity in Japan increased to 58,000 tons.
Although MHM, a subsidiary of the company, had produced polypropylene spunbond nonwovens with the capacity of 30,000 tons/year in Thailand, they added 6000 tons with equipment that was purchased from a Chinese enterprise. This new capacity is and included in production capacity of the commercial production because they are used in the trial manufacture of the development of products. Thus, the facilities line of MHM became three lines—14,000 tons/year (operated since 2003), 16,000 tons/year (operated since 2007) and 6000 tons/year (operated since 2018).
The diaper business holds the highest proportion of nonwovens for Mitsui Chemicals, therefore, the business results of nonwovens greatly depends on the production trends of diapers. Although the diapers produced in Japan were exported to China in large quantities, many of them were resale objects for Chinese brokers. However, these brokers are not as active as they once were causing a decline in Japanese diaper sales. This decline, however, does not necessarily reflect a decline in public demand for diapers and is expected to be a temporary decrease.
Special nonwoven fabric has been developed for diapers, such as spunbond nonwovens with hollow fibers (trade name: Airyfa). They could also be developed for purposes other than diapers. Mitsui Chemicals has produced meltblown nonwoven fabrics using nanofibers, and they are pushing forward to open new markets for meltblown nonwovens.
www.mitsui.com.jp
2018 Nonwovens Sales: $218 million
Key Personnel
Akihiro Tachibana, general manager, nonwoven fabrics division
Plants
Yokkaichi and Nagoya, Japan; Tianjin, China; Rayong, Thailand
Processes
Spunbond, meltblown, needlepunch, thermal bonded nonwovens
Brand Names
Tafnel, Syntex, Syntex Nano, Airyfa
Major Markets
Coverstock, geotextiles, oil absorbing materials, air filters, wipes, agriculture materials, household materials
Mitsui Chemicals’ annual production capacity of polypropylene spunbond nonwovens was 58,000 tons in Japan, 30,000 tons in Thailand, 15,000 tons in China, totaling 103,000 tons. The production capacity of its meltblown nonwovens was 1000 tons/year.
In terms of the nonwoven business in Japan in 2018, the quantities of production greatly decreased in the baby diaper category. Therefore, the demand for polypropylene spunbond nonwovens had declined, which led to a decrease in sales in the nonwovens business. New capacity of 15,000 tons/year was added in Mitsui’s Nagoya factory, while 6000 tons/year was added in the Yokkaichi factory in October 2018, bringing production capacity in Japan increased to 58,000 tons.
Although MHM, a subsidiary of the company, had produced polypropylene spunbond nonwovens with the capacity of 30,000 tons/year in Thailand, they added 6000 tons with equipment that was purchased from a Chinese enterprise. This new capacity is and included in production capacity of the commercial production because they are used in the trial manufacture of the development of products. Thus, the facilities line of MHM became three lines—14,000 tons/year (operated since 2003), 16,000 tons/year (operated since 2007) and 6000 tons/year (operated since 2018).
The diaper business holds the highest proportion of nonwovens for Mitsui Chemicals, therefore, the business results of nonwovens greatly depends on the production trends of diapers. Although the diapers produced in Japan were exported to China in large quantities, many of them were resale objects for Chinese brokers. However, these brokers are not as active as they once were causing a decline in Japanese diaper sales. This decline, however, does not necessarily reflect a decline in public demand for diapers and is expected to be a temporary decrease.
Special nonwoven fabric has been developed for diapers, such as spunbond nonwovens with hollow fibers (trade name: Airyfa). They could also be developed for purposes other than diapers. Mitsui Chemicals has produced meltblown nonwoven fabrics using nanofibers, and they are pushing forward to open new markets for meltblown nonwovens.
