Japan’s Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., is set to expand its production facilities at Sunrex Industry Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, to respond to demands of the growing premium disposable diaper market.

The facility is expected to use proprietary technology to produce premium high-performance nonwovens with superior elasticity and expandability.

In their mid-term business plan, the company is set to focus on healthcare business as a targeted business domain that drives growth, in addition to mobility and the food & packaging domains. The 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.

ISuper soft and expandable high performance nonwovens will be manufactured at the new facility. Conventional spunbond manufacturing methods improved by Mitsui Chemicals’ proprietary state-of-the-art technology will be used for excellent flexibility and expandability accompanied by superior comfort. The expansion will help distribution of high performance nonwovens to the premium disposable diaper market and enhance quality and expand applications.

The expansion of Sunrex facilities, when completed in November 2017, is expected to bring Mitsui Chemicals global production capacity to 115,000 tons per year. (GK)