Otsuka

1815-1 Monma, Kasamatsu-cho
Hashima-gun
Gifu Prefecture, 501-6065
Japan
0584-43-5281
www.otsukacorp.co.jp

Founded in 1963, Otsuka produces needlepunch nonwovens in several factories in Japan. The company also has joint ventures in China and Indonesia.

Otsuka has a capacity exceeding 30 million square meters per year, with sales volumes reaching 20 million square meters for automotive use alone. A leading manufacturer in the automotive nonwovens market, the majority of nonwovens the company producers are supplied for these applications. Automotive interior and exterior materials are used in parts such as floor carpets, ceilings, trunks and fenders. The company has a particularly high market share in floor carpets and headlining for vehicle interiors.

Otsuka can develop and produce most of the nonwoven materials used in automobiles in-house. The company adjusts and develops composite lamination, lamination processing, cut forming, design, NV performance, formability, etc., according to customer requests. It also has the testing equipment necessary for development, as well as testing equipment to ensure stable quality and has built a high-quality and stable production system.

Currently, the demand for nonwovens used for tire fender liners is increasing significantly. Liners are used on tire fenders as soundproofing material, and they are 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. The company’s nonwovens were first adopted around 2000 and have been increasing 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. Nonwovens for fender 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.

For the interior and industrial sector, Otsuka develops and produces a wide variety of products, including carpet materials for interior use, nonwovens for building materials, civil engineering materials and household mats. For interior carpets, the company provides highly durable materials that can be used for many years. For building applications, Otsuka develops and produces materials with enhanced sound absorption properties, which are used by a wide range of customers.

Through its technology, Otsuka aims to achieve harmony with the environment and the pursuit of functionality. The company is working on utilizing environmentally friendly natural and biodegradable fibers and developing new recycling systems.

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, the company says.