Asahi Kasei’s Fibers & Textiles SBU will expand the production capacity for Lamous microfiber suede in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan by about 3 million m2/year from the current capacity of approximately 6 million m2/year.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for the first half of fiscal 2017 and start-up in the first half of fiscal 2019.
This high-quality microfiber suede (artificial suede) features a unique three-layered microstructure. Leveraging its luxurious smooth texture and flexibility in design as well as superior environmental characteristics, Asahi Kasei has actively been expanding its Lamous business worldwide in a wide variety of applications including automotive interiors, furniture upholstery, IT accessories, apparel and industrial materials.
Sold in markets around the world, Lamous is enjoying particularly strong demand growth in automotive interiors. As such demand growth is forecast to continue, the decision was made to expand its capacity. Asahi Kasei will continue to expand the production capacity and enhance the production infrastructure in order to strengthen the Lamous supply configuration in line with additional growth in the global markets.