Asahi Thermofil (B-1070 Brussels; www.asahithermofil.net) has completed its announced compound material capacity increase from 35,000 t/y to 83,000 t/y (PIE 15, 2002). The expanding European subsidiary of the Japanese producer of engineering plastics Asahi Kasei (www.asahi-kasei.co.jp) also has started up a new facility for 5,000 t/y of PPE blends at Saint-Martin de Crau, France. Asahi is rated as the second largest producer of PPE in the world.

The PPE blends with PS, PA or PP are sold as part of the “Xyron” product line. They are designed for use in automotive components such as carbodies or underbodies. The company´s “Tenac” range includes homo-polymer as well as co-polymer types of POM. The “Leona” polyamide family was recently enhanced by a semi-aromatic PA66/61 with up to 60% of glass-fibre reinforced filler content. “Leona 90G” with high gloss and a resistant surface is mainly used for applications such as door handles, side mirrors or window wipers. These high-performance polymer lines are enhanced by the standard and customised “Thermofil” compound range with its core product of reinforced PP compounds. Asahi Thermofil claims to be the European number two in this segment.