Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (MCI; Tokyo; www.mitsuichem.com) announced that Mitsui Elastomers Singapore Pte. Ltd. (MELS), a wholly owned subsidiary based in Singapore, is set to raise its production capacity for high-performance elastomers using the brand-name TAFMER. The production facility for TAFMER is located on Jurong Island, Singapore and currently produces 200,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr). After the expansion efforts, it is expected that production capacity will rise to 225,000 m.t./yr, with startup tentatively scheduled for July 2020.
TAFMER is a resin modifier and soft molding material. Both flexible and lightweight, the elastomer series sees use in a wide range of applications, including automotive materials, packaging materials, solar battery encapsulants, engineering plastic modifiers and sports shoe midsoles.
Global economic growth is driving strong demand for TAFMER, with automotive material applications in particular expected to see further demand growth going forward. This comes as automobile production numbers continue to rise and tightening environmental regulations spur needs for lightweighting.
To keep up its steady supply moving forward, the company plans to remove bottlenecks at existing TAFMER production facilities, allowing it to increase production capacity for the elastomer series.
Mitsui Chemicals and MELS are also considering additional increases to supply capacity for TAFMER as they look to grow their business here further. Through these plans, Mitsui Chemicals intends to be proactive in maintaining and strengthening its position as holding the top global share in this area.