09.11.19
Osaka, Japan
www.asahi-kasei.co.jp
2019 Nonwovens Sales: $224 million
Key Personnel
Yasuyoshi Nakajima, general manager, nonwoven fabrics division; Kazuhiko Sanmaido, general manager, spunbonded fabric division
Plants
Moriyama and Nobeoka, Japan; Siracha, Thailand
Processes
Spunbond, meltblown
Brand Names
Eltas, Bemliese, Microweb, Smash, precise, Semia PUlshut
Major Markets
Coverstock, wipes, gauze, packagings, white blood corpuscle removing filters
In May 2020, Asahi Kasei decided to close its plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, for the manufacture of Eltas spunbond nonwoven fabric.
The plant has supplied nonwoven fabric mainly for hygiene products such as disposable diapers in the domestic Japanese market for some 19 years since it began operation in 2001. However, the plant was severely damaged when hit by the tornado that occurred in Nobeoka on September 22, 2019, and its operation has been suspended ever since. Although various studies were performed regarding the restoration of operation, the decision was made to close the plant considering the high cost of repair, the deteriorated state of equipment, and the time required for restoration being more than one year.
The Nobeoka site was able to make 14,5000 tons of spunbond nonwoven fabrics per year and the company plans to shift much of this production to its Thai facility, where a new line capable of making 15,000 tons of spunbond nonwovens per year is set to come onstream next year bringing the company’s capacity in Thailand to 50,000 tons. Asahi Kasei will continue to make spunbond nonwovens at its Moriyama factory in Shiga Province where its current capacity is 15,000 tons.
Under the Cs+ for Tomorrow 2021 medium-term management initiative, Asahi Kasei is prioritizing and allocating management resources to develop a business portfolio of sustainable and high value-added businesses. In accordance with its Group Vision to enable “living in health and comfort” and “harmony with the natural environment,” the company’s polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric business falls under “Life Material” as a priority field for provision of value. Moving forward, Asahi Kasei Spunbond Thailand will play a central role in the ongoing expansion of this business which contributes to life and living for people around the world.
www.asahi-kasei.co.jp
2019 Nonwovens Sales: $224 million
Key Personnel
Yasuyoshi Nakajima, general manager, nonwoven fabrics division; Kazuhiko Sanmaido, general manager, spunbonded fabric division
Plants
Moriyama and Nobeoka, Japan; Siracha, Thailand
Processes
Spunbond, meltblown
Brand Names
Eltas, Bemliese, Microweb, Smash, precise, Semia PUlshut
Major Markets
Coverstock, wipes, gauze, packagings, white blood corpuscle removing filters
In May 2020, Asahi Kasei decided to close its plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, for the manufacture of Eltas spunbond nonwoven fabric.
The plant has supplied nonwoven fabric mainly for hygiene products such as disposable diapers in the domestic Japanese market for some 19 years since it began operation in 2001. However, the plant was severely damaged when hit by the tornado that occurred in Nobeoka on September 22, 2019, and its operation has been suspended ever since. Although various studies were performed regarding the restoration of operation, the decision was made to close the plant considering the high cost of repair, the deteriorated state of equipment, and the time required for restoration being more than one year.
The Nobeoka site was able to make 14,5000 tons of spunbond nonwoven fabrics per year and the company plans to shift much of this production to its Thai facility, where a new line capable of making 15,000 tons of spunbond nonwovens per year is set to come onstream next year bringing the company’s capacity in Thailand to 50,000 tons. Asahi Kasei will continue to make spunbond nonwovens at its Moriyama factory in Shiga Province where its current capacity is 15,000 tons.
Under the Cs+ for Tomorrow 2021 medium-term management initiative, Asahi Kasei is prioritizing and allocating management resources to develop a business portfolio of sustainable and high value-added businesses. In accordance with its Group Vision to enable “living in health and comfort” and “harmony with the natural environment,” the company’s polypropylene spunbond nonwoven fabric business falls under “Life Material” as a priority field for provision of value. Moving forward, Asahi Kasei Spunbond Thailand will play a central role in the ongoing expansion of this business which contributes to life and living for people around the world.