Sanyo Chemical Industries (Kyoto / Japan; www.sanyo-chemical.co.jp/eng) has announced plans for a massive expansion of its “Therpus F” TPU at its facilities in Nagoya / Japan and at its subsidiary in Pasadena, Texas / USA. The two plants currently have nameplate capacities for 8,000 t/y of TPU, of which Therpus F accounts for just 600 t/y. As part of its latest plan, whose investment costs were not disclosed, Sanyo plans to remodel its existing facilities and raise output to 30,000 t/y. While the added capacity is expected to come on stream in Nagoya in October this year, the additional output at Sanyo Chemical Texas Industries will most likely be commissioned in January 2016.

Therpus F is used in powder slush moulding for skin material in automotive interiors, including instrument panels. Compared to other PU beads, Sanyo says the new material provides better fuel efficiency thanks to its thinner skin and also contributes to energy conservation since it has a lower mould temperature.