Mitsui Chemicals to expand premium high performance nonwoven facilities

Mitsui Chemicals Inc will expand production facilities of Sunrex Industry Co Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, to respond to demands of the growing premium disposable diaper market. The company will use proprietary technology to increase the production of premium high-performance nonwovens (with superior elasticity and expandability) by approximately 6,000 tonnes per annum.
 
In its mid-term business plan, Mitsui Chemicals has identified healthcare as a targeted business domain to drive growth, in addition to mobility and the food & packaging domains.
 
“Our nonwoven business, which is part of the healthcare business sector, aims to further expand by supplying premium diaper manufacturers in the growing markets of Japan and the rest of Asia,” said Mitsui Chemicals in a press release.
 
ISuper soft and expandable high performance nonwovens that will be manufactured at the new facilities will use technology which was recognised by the Japan Chemical Industry Association as being a world’s first and presented the association’s technology special award. Conventional spunbond manufacturing methods are improved by Mitsui Chemicals’ proprietary technology and result in excellent flexibility and expandability accompanied by superior comfort. The augmentation will bolster expansion of the company’s distribution of high performance nonwovens to the premium disposable diaper market and enhance quality and expand applications.
 
The augmentation of Sunrex facilities, when completed in November 2017, will bring Mitsui Chemicals global production capacity to 115,000 tonnes per annum.