October
31, 2002
Asahi Kasei Corporation
The Dow Chemical Company
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Dow
and Asahi Kasei Polystyrene Joint Venture
Starts Production at Zhangjiagang, China;
Enhances Product Supply and Customer Responsiveness |
ZHANGJIAGANG,
CHINA – November 1, 2002 – SAL Petrochemical
(Zhangjiagang) Co. Ltd., a 50/50 joint venture (JV) between
Dow and Asahi Kasei, announced today the official start
up of its polystyrene plant in Zhangjiagang, China.
With an annual production capacity of 120,000
metric tons, the new facility brings together more than
100 years of combined polystyrene technology experience
and offers strong advantages for customers in China.
According to Clay Dunn, business
vice president for Dow Polystyrene, in addition to greatly
expanding its production capabilities, the start up of
the Zhangjiagang plant will enable the company to enhance
its responsiveness to the fast-growing China market.
“We have a long history of doing business in China
and believe that the addition of this facility will give
us the ability to be in much closer contact with the needs
of our customers on the ground in the country,”
said Dunn. “China’s accession to the WTO will
present many opportunities for our business; and by investing
in localization, by integrating into the local economy
with an in-market manufacturing base and marketing channel,
we believe we will greatly enhance our ability to respond
to our existing and prospective customers.”
Currently, China is the biggest petrochemical product
importer in the world and is expected to continue to be
a net importer for the next 10 years. Plastics consumption
per capita in China now stands at only one-fifth of that
in developed countries.
“SAL provides both existing and potential customers
competitive advantages by working with a polystyrene leader
that is at once global and local,” said Hiroshi
Susumago, executive vice president, Asahi Kasei. “The
JV is well-suited to meet customers’ needs in that
it understands both the opportunities and challenges of
a global marketplace, as well as the operational imperatives
on a local or regional basis. Zhangjiagang is a culmination
of that awareness and commitment in supporting those needs.”
An extension of Asahi Kasei’s operations in Japan,
the new production base of Zhangjiagang provides easy
access to fast-growing cities along the Yangtze River
and across the region.
“Our growing presence in the Asia Pacific region,
supported by the strengths and capabilities of our parent
companies – both established leaders in polystyrene
products – makes SAL the best choice for polystyrene
products and technical support,” said Joseph Wong,
president of Styron Asia Limited. “Our value proposition
lies in advanced technologies that meet evolving market
needs; differentiated product performance; a dedicated,
reliable supply; a responsive and comprehensive technical
support team; and expert applications development support.”
The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Zhangjiagang
will be able to offer customers the most advanced polystyrene
products available today, including STYRON A-TECH* advanced
technology polystyrene resins, and industry-recognized
STYRON* polystyrene resins. STYRON A-TECH and STYRON polystyrene
resins are widely used in consumer electronics, appliances,
information technology equipment, packaging and toy applications.
*Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company
ABOUT THE PARENT COMPANIES
Asahi Kasei Corporation is one of Japan’s leading
chemical companies, with annual sales of US$10 billion
in operations ranging from chemical and fibers to LSIs,
housing and pharmaceuticals. Its petrochemical products
include a comprehensive range of polyethylene, engineering
plastics, and other resins, as well as acrylonitrile,
styrene, and other essential monomers. Asahi Kasei’s
polystyrene business in Japan is now under A&M Styrene
Co., Ltd., a joint venture with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
formed in 1998.
Dow is a leading science and technology company that provides
innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products
and services to many essential consumer markets. With
annual sales of US$28 billion, Dow serves customers in
more than 170 countries and a wide range of markets that
are vital to human progress, including food, transportation,
health and medicine, personal and home care, and building
and construction, among others. Committed to the principles
of Sustainable Development, Dow and its approximately
50,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental
and social responsibilities.
For more information, visit SAL’s Web site at www.styronasia.com
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