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Mitsubishi Rayon to build SMC material plant in Germany

06 Nov '15

2 min read

Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. (MRC), a Japanese textile company that manufactures chemicals, plastics, and fibres, is set to construct a new plant at Vilshofen in Bavaria, Germany, for producing SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound) intermediate materials in order to reinforce and expand its carbon fibre and composite materials business in Europe.

The factory is expected to commence operation in September 2016 with annual production capacity of 1,000 metric tons, to be expanded up to 6,000 tons as demand further increases in the European market. After completion of the expansion, MRC's overall production capacity grows to 9,000 tons, triple the current production capacity at the Toyohashi plant in Japan.

Car manufacturers are adopting carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) with its high strength and light weight for luxury cars. MRC has developed and turned into products high-performance large-tow carbon fibre-suitable for automobile applications, and quick-cure prepregs - intermediate materials with which elaborate exterior panel parts can be press-moulded in a short period of time.

In developing business in Europe, MRC has developed the production base for CFRP-made automotive parts and intermediate materials by acquiring Wethje Carbon Composites GmbH and TK Industries GmbH, and has explored the needs for carbon fibre and composite materials for automotive applications by establishing the CF Marketing and Technical Center and by increasing local marketing staff. The construction of the new SMC production plant is aimed at satisfying the needs for high-end solutions for luxury cars as well as those for solutions for mass-produced cars that are low-cost and also technically easily accessible, according to a press release.

SMC is a type of intermediate material of fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP). The sheet-shaped material with fibres several centimetres long dispersed in resin is press-moulded into automotive parts. Compared with prepreg intermediate materials (carbon fibre fabric impregnated with resin), SMC can be used for moulding complicatedly shaped parts in a short period of time. With its uniform mechanical characteristics similar to metal, lighter weight and higher strength can be achieved rather easily by using carbon fibre and utilizing existing know-how on parts design. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India