Japanese chemical company Asahi Kasei is expanding its plant for Lamous artificial suede in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, by 4 million m2 / year, increasing total production capacity to 14 million m2 / year upon completion in 2021. Construction is currently in progress to raise existing capacity of 6 million m2 / year to 10 million m2 / year.

Groundbreaking for the expansion of production capacity for premium artificial suede by another 4 million m2 / year is scheduled for second half of fiscal 2019, and start-up of the project is slated for second half of fiscal 2021. The on-going capacity expansion to 10 million m2 / year is scheduled for completion in first half of fiscal 2019 (i.e. before September 30, 2019), Asahi Kasei said.

Lamous is a premium artificial suede featuring a unique three-layered microstructure. The three-layer structured is made of the front, back, and core layers. They are three-dimensionally entangled with microfibres, and the core layer is composed of a fine, specially woven fabric called ‘scrim’, which improves strength and dimensional stability. Impregnation with water-based polyurethane imparts a soft and highly flexible texture.

Leveraging its luxurious smooth texture and flexibility in design as well as superior environmental characteristics, Asahi Kasei has actively expanded 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 and IT accessories. As such demand growth is forecasted to continue, the decision was made to expand capacity. Moving forward, Asahi Kasei will continue to strengthen the Lamous supply configuration in line with additional growth in the global market,” the company said in a press release. (RKS)