The objective of the new facility investments in Shin-Etsu‘s silicones business in Japan is to strengthen and expand its silicones facilities at each stage, from R&D and trial production to mass production. Going forward, Shin-Etsu Chemical is aiming for double-digit growth in its silicones business with highly functional silicone products.
At Gunma Complex, its largest production base in Japan, the company is investing ¥5 billion (about €38 million) as it goes forward with the construction of a new research building adjoining its existing Silicone-Electronics Materials Research Center, and is aiming to start its operations in the spring of 2016.
Furthermore, Shin-Etsu invests another ¥12 billion (about €91 million) at the Gunma Complex in order to carry out such projects as the construction of new production facilities that will enable the production of many kinds of silicone products in small quantities and the reinforcement of production capacity for various types of silicone products that are used in fields where demand growth is expected such as automobiles, cosmetics, chemicals and healthcare. The company will also further strengthen its integrated system that handles all processes within the Complex from R&D to mass production.
Moreover, at its Naoetsu Plant in Niigata Prefecture, Shin-Etsu Chemical will invest ¥3 billion (about €23 million) to set up a new manufacturing facility for silicone products that will be used as a marine paint material. Each new facility is scheduled to be completed by March of 2017.
As far as investment developments regarding the silicones business outside of Japan, in Thailand, Shin-Etsu obtained for about ¥5 billion (about €38 million) new industrial land adjoining its Thai silicone facilities, where a major production capacity expansion project is on-going.
(dw)
