Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. announced that it will increase its production capacity for polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) to meet demand for mono-material food packaging, which is on the rise amid the growing need for sustainability. Specifically, the Shimizu Factory of Mitsui Chemicals MC, Ltd. – a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui Chemicals – will expand its PUD production facilities. The move is expected to approximately double domestic production capacity. Construction is slated to commence in February 2024 and operational launch is expected in June 2025. Expected investment is around 300 million yen (100% owned by Mitsui Chemicals).

 

Mitsui Chemicals’ Takelac PUDs are water-based resins that offer excellent heat resistance, high-temperature gas barrier performance and fastness to rubbing. As environmentally friendly products, they are used extensively in the paint and coating materials, adhesives, binders, resin modifiers, sizing agent and textile processing sectors. Recent years have seen the rising need for sustainability drive growing demand for PUDs – especially in Europe – as barrier coating materials for use in recyclable mono-material food packaging. And with demand for mono-material packaging expected to continue rising, Mitsui Chemicals is looking to respond by proactively bolstering its supply network.