Mitsui Chemicals (Tokyo / Japan; www.mitsuichem.com) has announced plans to build an 11,000 t/y plant for the production of functional polymeric materials in Jinshan, Shanghai / China. The plant will produce “Milastomer” thermoplastic olefinic elastomers, which are used in glass run channels for automotive windows and in sheathing applications, as well as “Admer” polyolefins, used as an adhesive for automotive fuel tanks. Commercial operation is expected to begin in October 2014.

Mitsui intends to establish a new company in November 2012, named Mitsui Chemicals Functional Composites (Shanghai), to manufacture and distribute the materials.

Chinese demand for Milastomer elastomers has grown in line with increased use of cross-linked thermoplastic elastomers in glass run channels of automobiles and growing demand for more luxurious automobile interior materials, Mitsui said. “Similarly, the market for Admer has grown along with wider applications of resins in automobile fuel tanks and spreading awareness of food safety, resulting in the increased use of barrier food packaging materials,” it added.

The new supply base in Shanghai is designed to meet this growing demand. “Automotive manufacturers are concentrated in eastern China and the new company is expected to serve as the group’s compound base and future base for automotive polypropylenes in the area,” Mitsui explained.