09.11.24
Osaka, Japan
www.unitika.co.jp
2023 Nonwovens Sales: $79 million
Key Personnel
Hideaki Kaminokado, general manager, nonwoven fabrics division; Masaya Akao, general manager, spunbonded fabrics sales; Hiroshi Mayuzumi, general manager, spunlaced fabrics sales
Plants
Okazaki and Tarui, Japan; Pathumthani, Thailand
Processes
Spunbond, spunlace
Brand Names
Marix, Eleves, Appeal, Wiwi, Alcima, Dilla, Terramac, Cottoace
Major Markets
Agriculture materials, carpet backings, geotextiles, cable wraps, wipes, storing bags, coverstock, roofing sheets
Unitika produces PET spunbond and spunlace nonwovens. Its PET spunbond nonwovens are produced in Japan and Thailand (TUSCO), with a total production capacity of 30,000 tons/year: 20,000 tons/year in Japan and 10,000 tons/year in Thailand. This company has a 5000 ton/year capacity for spunlace nonwovens, while a joint venture (UMCT) with Marusan Industry produces spunlace nonwovens with a 5000 ton/year capacity. In 2023, Unitika’s PET spunbond nonwovens for automotive applications performed well due to increased automobile production, and PET spunbond nonwovens for civil engineering applications also increased. However, sales of PET spunbond nonwovens for agricultural use decreased, and those for residential use were sluggish due to a decline in new construction starts. Spunlace nonwovens were forced to decline due in part to stagnant inbound demand. Overall, sales of the nonwovens business declined slightly. In addition, the cost of raw materials and fuel rose due to the weakening of the yen and other factors, and the company raised the price of nonwovens several times. However, the company was unable to keep up with the cost increases, and profit margins declined. Unitika’s PET spunbond nonwovens are produced in Japan and Thailand, and the company plans to reduce costs by consolidating grades, producing in Japan and Thailand in optimal locations, and streamlining production. In addition, TUSCO of Thailand plans to strengthen sales of spunlace nonwovens produced in Japan.
TUSCO of Thailand produces PET spunbond nonwovens at a capacity of 10,000 tons/year and also produces spunbond polylactic acid nonwovens, although in smaller quantities. TUSCO exports more than 80% of the nonwovens it produces to Europe, the U.S., and other countries. The main application is carpet base fabric, which is used for carpet tiles, automotive floor mats, and other base fabrics, accounting for about 60% of the total for base fabrics. Currently, the company is expanding sales of environmentally friendly nonwovens, which include nonwovens made from recycled raw materials and polylactic acid nonwovens. Spunbond nonwovens made of recycled PET resin are used for carpet base fabrics, and are being fully marketed as building materials in the U.S. starting in 2023. Spunbond nonwovens made with polylactic acid are used for civil engineering materials and tea bag wrappers and are beginning to be used for agricultural materials and lifestyle-related materials in
Europe, the U.S. and Australia. Since NatureWorks will start polylactic acid production in Thailand in 2025, TUSCO will be able to procure raw materials in Thailand, which will allow the company to take advantage of cost benefits.
www.unitika.co.jp
2023 Nonwovens Sales: $79 million
Key Personnel
Hideaki Kaminokado, general manager, nonwoven fabrics division; Masaya Akao, general manager, spunbonded fabrics sales; Hiroshi Mayuzumi, general manager, spunlaced fabrics sales
Plants
Okazaki and Tarui, Japan; Pathumthani, Thailand
Processes
Spunbond, spunlace
Brand Names
Marix, Eleves, Appeal, Wiwi, Alcima, Dilla, Terramac, Cottoace
Major Markets
Agriculture materials, carpet backings, geotextiles, cable wraps, wipes, storing bags, coverstock, roofing sheets
Unitika produces PET spunbond and spunlace nonwovens. Its PET spunbond nonwovens are produced in Japan and Thailand (TUSCO), with a total production capacity of 30,000 tons/year: 20,000 tons/year in Japan and 10,000 tons/year in Thailand. This company has a 5000 ton/year capacity for spunlace nonwovens, while a joint venture (UMCT) with Marusan Industry produces spunlace nonwovens with a 5000 ton/year capacity. In 2023, Unitika’s PET spunbond nonwovens for automotive applications performed well due to increased automobile production, and PET spunbond nonwovens for civil engineering applications also increased. However, sales of PET spunbond nonwovens for agricultural use decreased, and those for residential use were sluggish due to a decline in new construction starts. Spunlace nonwovens were forced to decline due in part to stagnant inbound demand. Overall, sales of the nonwovens business declined slightly. In addition, the cost of raw materials and fuel rose due to the weakening of the yen and other factors, and the company raised the price of nonwovens several times. However, the company was unable to keep up with the cost increases, and profit margins declined. Unitika’s PET spunbond nonwovens are produced in Japan and Thailand, and the company plans to reduce costs by consolidating grades, producing in Japan and Thailand in optimal locations, and streamlining production. In addition, TUSCO of Thailand plans to strengthen sales of spunlace nonwovens produced in Japan.
TUSCO of Thailand produces PET spunbond nonwovens at a capacity of 10,000 tons/year and also produces spunbond polylactic acid nonwovens, although in smaller quantities. TUSCO exports more than 80% of the nonwovens it produces to Europe, the U.S., and other countries. The main application is carpet base fabric, which is used for carpet tiles, automotive floor mats, and other base fabrics, accounting for about 60% of the total for base fabrics. Currently, the company is expanding sales of environmentally friendly nonwovens, which include nonwovens made from recycled raw materials and polylactic acid nonwovens. Spunbond nonwovens made of recycled PET resin are used for carpet base fabrics, and are being fully marketed as building materials in the U.S. starting in 2023. Spunbond nonwovens made with polylactic acid are used for civil engineering materials and tea bag wrappers and are beginning to be used for agricultural materials and lifestyle-related materials in
Europe, the U.S. and Australia. Since NatureWorks will start polylactic acid production in Thailand in 2025, TUSCO will be able to procure raw materials in Thailand, which will allow the company to take advantage of cost benefits.
