Teijin to Boost Production of Para-linked Aramid Fibers to Secure More than Half the World Market
Teijin Limited, a leading producer of synthetic fibers headquartered in Osaka, Japan, today announced plans to expand production of para-linked aramid fibers used in a variety of products that will give the Teijin Group a greater than 50% share of the world market for these high performance fibers.
Under the plan, annual production of Twaron® para-linked aramid fiber at Teijin Twaron B.V. of Arnhem, the Netherlands, will increase by 7,500 metric tons to reach 18,500 metric tons by April 2003.
Teijin Twaron B.V., the core company of Teijin Group's aramid fiber business, operates a plant in Delfzijl producing monomers and polymer, and another plant at Emmen producing yarns, both of which Teijin intends to expand for a combined investment cost of approximately 200 million euros or ¥20.4 billion.
Teijin Limited is also investing ¥1 billion to expand annual production of Technora® para-linked aramid fibers at its Matsuyama plant in western Japan by 600 metric tons. The expansion, to be completed by November this year, will lift annual capacity for Technora® to 2,000 metric tons.
The plant expansions in the Netherlands and Japan will enable the Teijin Group to boost annual output of para-linked aramid fibers to 20,500 metric tons, giving Teijin a greater than 50% share of the world market for this product.
"Over the medium term world demand for all types of para-linked aramid fibers is expected to grow by about 10% per annum," says Shosaku Yasui, president and CEO of Teijin Ltd.
"The expansion plan that we are announcing today will further reinforce Teijin's competitive base and allow the company to respond globally to diversifying user requirements," he adds.
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