09.11.24
Gifu, Japan
www.otsukacorp.co.jp
2023 Nonwovens Sales: $68.2 million
Key Personnel
Yukirou Otsuka, president
Plants
Kadoma, Sekigahara, Kashihara, Kakamigahara, Japan
Processes
Needlepunch
Major Markets
Automotive interiors, automotive insulations, geotextiles, carpet
Founded in 1963, Otsuka produces needlepunch nonwovens in several factories. and has a capacity exceeding 30 million square meters per year, with sales volumes reaching 20 million square meters for automotive use alone. The majority of nonwovens produced are supplied for automotive applications, and the company is the leading manufacturer in the automotive nonwovens market. The company has a particularly high market share in floor carpets and headlining for vehicle interiors. The company also has joint ventures in China and Indonesia that produce automotive nonwovens.
Currently, the demand for nonwovens used for tire fender liners is increasing significantly. Liners are used on tire fenders as soundproofing material, and the liners were made of resin or rubber for both the front and rear wheels. However, for rear-wheel fender liners, nonwovens with excellent sound absorption properties are now being used, and the switch from resin and rubber to nonwovens is underway.
Otsuka’s needlepunched nonwovens are used for these fender liners. Otsuka’s nonwovens were first adopted around 2000 and have been in increasing demand. Recently, there has been a significant increase in demand. To meet this demand, a new plant began operation in Kagamihara in 2022. The production capacity of the new plant is 2.4 million m²/year. Nonwoven fabrics for gender liners are also produced at the Sekigahara plant, but the new plant in Kagamihara has space for additional equipment. Future installation of equipment will take place at the new plant.
Currently, Otsuka is developing a means to recycle nonwoven waste generated in the production and molding processes. The company is trying to recycle this and reuse the fiber in automobile insulators and other products,, although this is difficult because of the mixture of different fibers in the end material.
www.otsukacorp.co.jp
2023 Nonwovens Sales: $68.2 million
Key Personnel
Yukirou Otsuka, president
Plants
Kadoma, Sekigahara, Kashihara, Kakamigahara, Japan
Processes
Needlepunch
Major Markets
Automotive interiors, automotive insulations, geotextiles, carpet
Founded in 1963, Otsuka produces needlepunch nonwovens in several factories. and has a capacity exceeding 30 million square meters per year, with sales volumes reaching 20 million square meters for automotive use alone. The majority of nonwovens produced are supplied for automotive applications, and the company is the leading manufacturer in the automotive nonwovens market. The company has a particularly high market share in floor carpets and headlining for vehicle interiors. The company also has joint ventures in China and Indonesia that produce automotive nonwovens.
Currently, the demand for nonwovens used for tire fender liners is increasing significantly. Liners are used on tire fenders as soundproofing material, and the liners were made of resin or rubber for both the front and rear wheels. However, for rear-wheel fender liners, nonwovens with excellent sound absorption properties are now being used, and the switch from resin and rubber to nonwovens is underway.
Otsuka’s needlepunched nonwovens are used for these fender liners. Otsuka’s nonwovens were first adopted around 2000 and have been in increasing demand. Recently, there has been a significant increase in demand. To meet this demand, a new plant began operation in Kagamihara in 2022. The production capacity of the new plant is 2.4 million m²/year. Nonwoven fabrics for gender liners are also produced at the Sekigahara plant, but the new plant in Kagamihara has space for additional equipment. Future installation of equipment will take place at the new plant.
Currently, Otsuka is developing a means to recycle nonwoven waste generated in the production and molding processes. The company is trying to recycle this and reuse the fiber in automobile insulators and other products,, although this is difficult because of the mixture of different fibers in the end material.
