Asahi Kasei and Bluestar establish joint ventures for mPPE business in China
Asahi Kasei Corp.
As announced on February 15, 2017, Asahi Kasei concluded a joint venture agreement with China National Bluestar (Group) Co., Ltd. (Bluestar), a subsidiary of China National Chemical Corp. (ChemChina), for the integrated production and sale of Xyron™ modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) in China, including its intermediate materials 2,6-xylenol and polyphenylene ether (PPE). As antitrust clearance has been received, respective joint ventures for manufacturing and sale were established in Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
The two joint ventures will leverage Bluestar’s technology for 2,6-xylenol and PPE together with Asahi Kasei’s mPPE compounding technology and applications development capability to facilitate further expansion in the growing Chinese market.
Asahi Kasei and Bluestar will now begin studying the construction of manufacturing facilities for 2,6-xylenol, PPE, and mPPE, and proceed with detailed evaluation of the economics of the joint business targeting a final investment decision by March 2018.
Profile of manufacturing joint venture
- Company name
- Asahi Kasei Bluestar (Nantong) Engineering Plastics Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
- Location
- Nantong, Jiangsu, China
- Chairman
- Tomoyuki Saito
- Shareholding
- Bluestar 50.01%, Asahi Kasei 49.99%
- Operation
- Manufacture of 2,6-xylenol and PPE (30,000 tons/year: polymer) and mPPE (20,000 tons/year)
- Establishment
- August 28, 2017
Profile of sales joint venture
- Company name
- Asahi Kasei Bluestar (Nantong) Engineering Plastics Sales & Marketing Co., Ltd.
- Location
- Nantong, Jiangsu, China
- Chairman
- PANG XiaoLin
- Shareholding
- Asahi Kasei 50.07%, Bluestar 49.93%
- Operation
- Sale of 2,6-xylenol, PPE, and mPPE
(subsidiaries to be established in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong)
- Establishment
- August 21, 2017
The manufacture of Xyron™ mPPE begins with phenol and methanol as raw materials. Phenol and methanol are used to synthesize 2,6-xylenol, which is then polymerized into PPE. The PPE is compounded with other polymers and various combinations of glass fiber, flame retardant, and other additives to form mPPE. Featuring superior heat resistance, flame retardance, dimensional stability, and mechanical properties, mPPE is used in fields ranging from office equipment, automotive components (relay blocks, electric vehicle battery modules, etc.), junction boxes for solar panels, industrial components, and electrical and electronic parts (connectors, etc.)
