Sumitomo Chemical (Tokyo, Japan; www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp) is creating new production lines to manufacture its Sumikasuper liquid crystal polymer (LCP), used in high-end electronic devices, after what it called “a recent tightening of the global supply-demand conditions”. Sumikasuper, made of high-grade engineering plastic, is currently manufactured at Sumitomo’s Ehime plant and the Harima factory, operated by its subsidiary, Taoka Chemical.

The tightening of supplies prompted the firm to build new production lines, which it said would be ready by the summer of 2023 and would increase its capacity by approximately 30%.

Sumitomo said LCP has been used in electronic components for personal computers and smartphones, and that it expects the rollout of 5G communications systems to increase demand for the product.

In a statement, the firm added that it will “consider further capacity expansion as the LCP market is expected to grow rapidly supported by higher-speed, larger-volume data communications and advances in the field of mobility”.