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Demand for 5G and EV applications growth driver behind investment decision.

January 27, 2022

1 Min Read
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Image: Alamy/Panther Media GmbH

Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical has decided to build additional production lines for its liquid crystal polymer (LCP) Sumikasuper at its Ehime Works (Niihama City, Ehime, Japan). In the Sumitomo Chemical Group, LCP is produced at Sumitomo Chemical’s Ehime Works and the Harima Works of the company’s subsidiary Taoka Chemical Co. Ltd. (Harima, Kako-gun, Hyogo, Japan). This expansion will increase the group’s production capacity by approximately 30%. The new production lines are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2023.

LCP possesses thermal resistance, flowability, and dimensional stability and has been used for a range of applications, including electronic components for PCs and smartphones. Sumitomo Chemical has steadily expanded its LCP business and built capacity to ensure a stable supply of the product. The company emphasizes its research and development capabilities, which enable it to offer polymer materials that meet customer needs; integrated production and sales operations that cover the product line ranging from resin to compounds; and technical support for customers around the globe.

Demand for LCP continues to grow as the rollout of 5G data communications systems progresses at scale and electric vehicles become more popular. To immediately address a recent tightening of global supply-demand conditions, Sumitomo Chemical has decided to construct new facilities to increase its production capacity for LCP. The company will consider further capacity expansion as the LCP market is expected to grow rapidly, supported by higher-speed, larger-volume data communications and advances in the field of mobility.

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