Asahi Kasei Chemicals has finalized a decision to establish a subsidiary for plastic compounds1 in Mexico, through its US subsidiary Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. (APNA).
Background
Having identified an expansion of compounding operations as a critical element in the strategic growth of its engineering plastics business, Asahi Kasei Chemicals has expanded its compounding facilities in both Asia and the US. Continued demand growth for plastic compounds is forecasted in Mexico, where various manufacturing facilities are increasingly located, especially by US, European, and Japanese manufacturers in the automotive industry. The new subsidiary will perform sales and technical support focused on the needs of customers in Mexico, enabling further expansion of business for plastic compounds in the growing Mexican market.
Asahi Kasei Chemicals has operating bases for plastic compounds in Japan, the US, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Belgium. While the new subsidiary will perform sales and technical support in the Mexican market, Asahi Kasei Chemicals will also study the possibility of local manufacturing of plastic compounds in Mexico.
Outline of the new subsidiary in Mexico
Name: Asahi Kasei Plastics Mexico Inc. (tentative)
Location: Querétaro, Mexico
Establishment: June 2015 (scheduled)
Ownership: 100% owned jointly by APNA and Asahikasei Plastics (America) Inc.2
Operation: Sale and technical support of Thermylene™ PP, Leona™ PA66, and other performance plastic compounds
Start-up: September 2015 (scheduled)
Corporate profile of Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc.
Location: Fowlerville, Michigan, USA
Establishment: July 2000 (company name changed in August 2005)
President: John W. Moyer
Shareholder: Asahikasei Plastics (America) Inc. (100%)
Operation: Manufacture and sale of Thermylene™ PP, Leona™ PA66, and other performance plastic compounds
Capacity: 105,000 tons/year in Michigan
30,000 tons/year in Alabama (start-up scheduled in early 2016)
1 Synthetic resin containing glass fiber, flame retardants, and other additives to provide additional performance characteristics.
2 Wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Chemicals.
www.asahi-kasei.co.jp
