Asahi Kasei Corp. held an opening ceremony on April 26, 2016, for a plant for plastic compounds¹ in Athens, Alabama, as the second plant of its US subsidiary Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. (APNA). The ceremony was attended by Mr. Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce and Mr. William R. Marks, Mayor of the City of Athens, Alabama, as well as key personnel of APNA and Asahi Kasei Corp.
Having identified a global expansion of compounding operations as a critical element in the strategic growth of its engineering plastics business, Asahi Kasei has expanded its compounding facilities in Asia as well as in Michigan, where APNA is based. The second North American plant for compounds in Alabama will enable increased supply to meet customer needs in the Southern US, where demand growth is most notable.
Outside North America, Asahi Kasei has operating bases for plastic compounds in Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, and Germany. The company will continue to develop high-quality and high-performance products in accordance with market needs, while studying ways to further expand its supply infrastructure.
Comment from Asahi Kasei Vice President Yuji Kobayashi
“I deeply appreciate the warm support we have received from the State of Alabama and the Limestone Economic Development Association. We are very happy to have built this compounding facility in Athens. We have found Asahi Kasei's core values as a company to be in line with the city of Athens: forward thinking, open mindedness, and willingness to embrace diversity. This new plant will not only supply products that provide value for the automotive industry, but also contribute to the development of the city of Athens.”
Outline of the second compounding plant
Location
Athens, Limestone County, Alabama
Capacity
30,000 tons/year
Main products
Thermylene™ PP, Leona™ PA66, and other performance plastic compounds
Start-up
February 2016
Corporate profile of Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc.
Location
Fowlerville, Livingston County, Michigan
Establishment
July 2000 (company name changed in August 2005)
President
John W. Moyer
Shareholder
Asahikasei Plastics (America) Inc.² (100%)
Operation
Manufacture and sale of Thermylene™ PP, Leona™ PA66, and other performance plastic compounds
Capacity
105,000 tons/year (Fowlerville, Michigan), 30,000 tons/year (Athens, Alabama)
