Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan; www.mitsuichem.com) has decided to set up a new production facility for Milastomer thermoplastic olefin elastomer at the Ohio-based plant of its U.S. subsidiary Advanced Composites, Inc. The new line will have capacity to produce 6,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr) of Milastomer. Construction is slated to begin in January 2019 with completion expected in June 2019 and commercial startup in October 2019.
The primary ingredients of Milastomer thermoplastic olefin elastomer are olefin rubber and olefin resin. With its low density, light weight and high moldability, Mitsui Chemicals markets the soft resin worldwide as a substitute for vinyl chloride and vulcanized rubber. The many uses for Milastomer include auto parts, building gaskets, toothbrushes, golf club grips and more. Global demand is projected to rise, primarily for applications such as automotive interior covers, weather strips, airbag covers and steering bellows. Demand for use in automotive interior covers is expected to expand especially in North America.
Mitsui Chemicals currently owns production centers in Japan, Europe and China. The new facility in the U.S. will address growing demand in North America and serve as the company’s fourth production base worldwide.