Asahi Kasei to expand in US with second plastic compound plant

06-Oct-14

Asahi Kasei Chemicals hold a groundbreaking ceremony on September 29, 2014, for a plant for plastic compounds in Athens, Alabama, as the second plant of its US subsidiary Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. (APNA). The ceremony was attended by Mr. Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce and Mr. Kazuo Sunaga, Consul General of Japan in Atlanta, as well as key personnel of APNA and Asahi Kasei Chemicals. 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 Asia as well as in Michigan, where APNA is based. Construction of the second North American plant for compounds in Alabama will enable increased supply to meet customer needs in the Southern US, where demand growth is most notable. Outside North America, Asahi Kasei Chemicals has operating bases for plastic compounds in Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Belgium. The company will continue to develop high-quality and high-performance products in accordance with market needs, while studying ways to further expand its supply infrastructure.