The High Performance Plastics Company (President: Ikusuke Shimizu) of SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (President and Representative Director Keita Kato; hereinafter “SEKISUI CHEMICAL”) has decided to add a new film line to its production base for interlayer films for laminated glass in Thailand (Rayong province). The total cost of this expansion in production capacity is approximately 8 billion yen, with operations set to commence on the new film line in the second half of FY2026. With the new film production line, the Company mainly plans to produce a line of high-performance products (N-HPP*1), focusing on wedge-shaped films for head-up display (HUD).
*1 N-HPP: Abbreviation for New-High performance products. This term is a generic term for wedge shaped film for HUD, heat insulation, and color/design films, which are high performance films excluding sound insulation films.
1. Background and Aims
The S-lec Film (Interlayer Film) Division has been globally engaged in the manufacture and sale of interlayer films for laminated glass used in automobiles and buildings. It has the world's top share in the interlayer film market for automobiles (In FY2023, estimated by SEKISUI CHEMICAL). Global automobile production is expected to grow at an annual rate of 1-2% in the future, reaching 98 million units in 2030 (90 million units in 2023)*2. In addition, as the shift to new energy vehicles (EVs, etc.) is accelerating, the use of interlayer films for laminated glass is expanding to include not only windshields but also side and roof glass, and the demand for repairs is also growing. Under these circumstances, its demand is expected to expand to the point where it exceeds the number of automobiles produced.
In addition, interlayer films with high value-added functions such as wedge shaped film for HUD, design, and sound and heat insulation are expected to grow at a high annual growth rate of 5% or more in response to increasing demands for automotive performance such as safety, comfort, and energy savings.
In response to these needs, SEKISUI CHEMICAL began full-scale production of sound insulation interlayer films at its plant in Mexico (Morelos Province) in the second half of 2017 and wedge-shaped films for HUD at its plant in the Netherlands (Roermond City) in the second half of 2020. And now, SEKISUI CHEMICAL has decided to expand its N-HPP production line in Thailand, focusing on wedge-shaped films for HUD and color/design interlayer films.
*2 Estimated by SEKISUI CHEMICAL based on various data
2. Overview of Thailand Plant to Increase Production Capacity
(1) Location:
SEKISUI S-LEC (THAILAND) CO., LTD. (wholly owned by SEKISUI CHEMICAL; President: Yasuyori Suzuki)
64/31 Moo4 Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate, T .Pluakdaeng A. Pluakdaeng Rayong 21140, Thailand
(2) Production items:
Interlayer films for laminated glass (regular films, sound insulation films, heat insulation films, color/design films, wedge-shaped films for HUD)
(3) Production capacity to be increased recently:
Increase for 7,000,000 automobiles per year
SEKISUI CHEMICAL will continue its efforts to realize a sustainable society by developing and providing highly functional, high-value-added products that contribute to the growing automobile industry and solving social issues.
[Reference]
Regarding PVB interlayer film for laminated glass, heat insulation film, color/design film, and wedge shaped film for HUD
Our interlayer film production and raw material (PVB) plants
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 156 companies throughout 20 countries and regions 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.
Press Contact
SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
Corporate Communication Department
Email: kouhou@sekisui.com
Disclaimer
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements due to changes in global economic, business, competitive market and regulatory factors.