Source: Asahi Kasei
Asahi Kasei (Tokyo, Japan; www.asahi-kasei.co.jp) has decided to expand its plant for Lamous artificial suede in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, by four million m2/yr, increasing the total production capacity to 14 million m2/yr upon completion in 2021. Dyed by Italian company Miko, Lamous is sold under the brand name Dinamica in Europe.
Lamous is a premium artificial suede featuring a unique three-layered microstructure. Because of its luxurious smooth texture and flexibility in design as well as superior environmental characteristics, the material can be found worldwide in a wide variety of applications including automotive interiors, furniture upholstery, IT accessories, or apparel.
Sold in markets around the world, Lamous is enjoying particularly strong demand growth in auto- motive interiors and IT accessories. With the capacity expansion, Asahi Kasei will further strengthen its supply capabilities in this growing market.
The production at the plant in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, is currently undergoing a capacity increase from 6 million m2/yr to 10 million m2/yr. Starting from the second half of fiscal year 2019 (April 2019 – March 2020), the capacity will be further increased from then 10 million m2/yr to 14 million m2/yr. The start-up of the plant with maximum capacity is scheduled for the second half of fiscal year 2021 (April 2021 – March 2022).
Koushiro Kudou, president of the Strategic Business Unit “Performance Products” at Asahi Kasei comments: “Asahi Kasei is determined to contribute to a more sustainable society. In Europe, Lamous is dyed by Italian company Miko and marketed under the brand name Dinamica mainly as material for automotive interiors. Partly made of recycled polyester, Lamous is processed with water-based polyurethane, making it a rather eco-friendly material. With our sustainable products and technologies, our Lamous business will further contribute to the growing market for artificial suede.”
The three-layer structured Lamous is made of front, back, and core layers. They are three-dimensionally entangled with microfibers, and the core layer is composed of a fine, specially-woven fabric called “scrim,” which improves strength and dimensional stability. Impregnation with water-based polyurethane imparts a soft and highly flexible texture.