SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (President and Representative Director: Keita Kato; hereinafter "SEKISUI CHEMICAL") has decided to establish a new plant in the United States to produce thermal gap filler materials for EVs (electric vehicles) and other environmental friendly vehicles of its consolidated subsidiary, SEKISUI POLYMATECH CO., LTD. Construction of the plant is scheduled to begin in January 2023, and the plant will start operation in August 2023.

1. Background

  As part of global environmental initiatives, the shift from gasoline (diesel) to electric vehicles is accelerating in many countries and regions. In the U.S., in particular, the federal government is strongly promoting the spread of electric vehicles, and the production of electric vehicles in the U.S. market in 2025 is expected to reach 3.6 million, about three times the number produced in 2022. In line with this, the demand for LiB (lithium-ion battery) thermal gap filler materials is rapidly expanding among OEMs (automobile manufacturers) and LiB/electrical component manufacturers in the U.S.
  Under such circumstances, our thermal gap filler materials have already been highly evaluated by vehicle manufacturers and LiB manufacturers in Japan, China, and Europe for their excellent performance, including low outgassing, in addition to high thermal conduction performance. Against this backdrop, SEKISUI POLYMATECH have decided to build a new production base in the U.S. in addition to our current four production bases in Japan, Thailand, China, and Europe.
  In addition, the High Performance Plastics Company of SEKISUI　CHEMICAL positions the mobility field as a strategic field. We will strengthen and accelerate marketing activities in the U.S. and Europe to further expand our heat release material business, and focus on the development of new products for mobility.

2. Outline of the new plant

• SEKISUI POLYMATECH offers heat release materials in sheet and grease (semi-liquid) forms.
  For LiB, there is a particularly higher demands for grease products, which called thermal gap fillers, are suitable for automated production lines. The new plant will also produce grease products, which called thermal gap fillers, as its main product line for the time being.
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(Reference)

◆SEKISUI POLYMATECH CO.,LTD.

◆SEKISUI AMERICA CORPORATION

◆SEKISUI SPECIALTY CHEMICALS AMERICA, LLC

About SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group

Headquartered in Japan, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (TSE: 4204) and its subsidiaries make up the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group. 26,000 employees in over 190 companies throughout 21 countries aim to contribute to improving the lives of the people of the world and the earth’s environment. Thanks to a history of innovation, dedication and a pioneering spirit, SEKISUI CHEMICAL now holds leading positions in its three diverse business divisions as well as top global market share in interlayer film, foam products, conductive particles and more.
Since its foundation in 1947, the SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group has dedicated itself to social and environmental contribution and is now an internationally recognized leader in sustainability and environmental initiatives, having recently been selected as one of the Global 100 most sustainable companies. SEKISUI CHEMICAL Group will continue to maintain a strong corporate presence for 100 years and beyond.