Asahi Kasei and Asahi Kasei Advance have decided to establish Asahi Kasei Airbag Fabric Vietnam Co., Ltd. (AFV) in Thai Binh Province, Vietnam, together with Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. (Teijin Frontier), for the manufacture of fabric for airbags.

Featuring exceptional strength, heat resistance, durability, and light weight, Asahi Kasei's Leona™ nylon 66 filament has been adopted in various industrial applications, most notably as airbag yarn and tire cord for the automobile industry.

Vehicle airbags are a major application, and continuing growth is forecasted as vehicle production rises in Asia, safety requirements become higher, and the number of airbags per vehicle increases. Furthermore, customers' needs for airbags are expected to diversify as markets trend toward CASE (connected, autonomous, shared/service, electric) and sustainability.

As a manufacturer of material for airbags, the Asahi Kasei Group has been manufacturing and selling Leona™ 66 filament, operating a joint venture with Teijin Frontier manufacturing fabric for airbags in China, and manufacturing and selling sewn fabric.

By manufacturing airbag fabric in Vietnam, AFV will enhance the Asahi Kasei Group's ability to meet growing demand and quickly respond to the diversifying needs of customers through integrated production encompassing feedstock, yarn, fabric, and sewing, while providing added value and strengthening the overall airbag material supply chain.

Corporate profile of Asahi Kasei Airbag Fabric Vietnam, Co., Ltd.

Location

Thai Binh Province, Vietnam

Shareholders

Asahi Kasei Corp. (74%)
Asahi Kasei Advance Corp. (20%)
Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd. (6%)

Product

Fabric for airbags

Capacity

20 million m² per year

Equipment start-up

First half of 2024

The Asahi Kasei Group will continue to expand business in every segment of the airbag material supply chain of feedstock, yarn, fabric, and sewing, to meet customers' needs while maintaining stable supply and enhancing technology in accordance with changes in the business environment in order to contribute to safe and secure mobility from the present to the future.

Asahi Kasei Group airbag-related business

Yarn

Manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corp. in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, with integrated production from raw material

Fabric

Manufactured in Japan and Nantong, China, by joint ventures in which Asahi Kasei Corp. has an investment, as well as starting operation by AFV in Vietnam

Sewing

Performed by Asahi Kasei Advance Corp. in Hung Yen, Vietnam

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