TECHPOLYMER Plant: Sekisui Kasei Plans JPY 3B Investment by 2030

Sekisui Kasei Plans New TECHPOLYMER Production Plant

Sekisui Kasei Co., Ltd. (Sekisui Kasei) announced on October 28 plans to establish a new production plant for its TECHPOLYMER polymer microparticles in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The facility will be constructed on the premises of its group company, Sekisui Plastics Shiga Co., Ltd., located in Koka City. The project involves an investment of approximately JPY 3 billion, with operations targeted to begin in April 2030. The expansion is intended to accommodate anticipated demand for the company's polymer microparticles across several application areas, including the automotive industry.

TECHPOLYMER Applications Expand Into Automotive Lighting

TECHPOLYMER is a polymer microparticle produced using polymerized monomers and is used in light-emitting diode (LED) light-diffusion applications. Its established applications include liquid crystal displays and LED lighting, while adoption is also increasing in automotive lighting. Relevant automotive applications include interior lighting and vehicle running lights. These applications make the material relevant to lighting systems that use light diffusion as part of their functionality. The expanding range of applications is an important consideration behind the planned production capacity investment by Sekisui Kasei Co Ltd.

JPY 3 Billion Investment Supports Long-Term Growth Strategy

The new facility is aligned with the medium- to long-term management strategy of Sekisui Kasei Co Ltd through fiscal year 2030. Under this strategy, the company identifies TECHPOLYMER as a key growth area supporting the transformation of its business portfolio. The decision to establish the plant reflects anticipated demand growth across multiple sectors, with the automotive industry among the relevant markets. By locating the facility at its group company's existing premises in Koka City, the company plans to expand production through its operations in Shiga Prefecture, with commercial operations scheduled to start in April 2030.

The planned facility will be established at Sekisui Plastics Shiga Co Ltd, reinforcing the group's production presence in the region. The approximately JPY 3 billion investment represents a strategic commitment to expanding the manufacturing capabilities associated with TECHPOLYMER. The project also reflects the company's expectation that demand will grow beyond established display and LED lighting applications, particularly in automotive lighting, including vehicle interior lighting and running lights.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The planned investment highlights the growing importance of specialized polymer materials in automotive lighting applications and the broader automotive supply chain. Increasing adoption of TECHPOLYMER in interior lighting and vehicle running lights provides an additional demand opportunity beyond its established applications in liquid crystal displays and LED lighting. For automotive lighting manufacturers and material suppliers, expanded production capacity could support the availability of materials used in these applications as demand develops. The project also strengthens the strategic importance of advanced materials within Sekisui Kasei's business portfolio transformation through fiscal year 2030. Its progress will be measured against the targeted April 2030 operational start.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Sekisui Kasei planning to build in Shiga Prefecture?

Sekisui Kasei plans to construct a new production plant for TECHPOLYMER polymer microparticles at its group company's premises in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture. The facility will be established at Sekisui Plastics Shiga Co., Ltd. The project involves an investment of approximately JPY 3 billion, and the company is targeting April 2030 for the start of operations. The expansion is intended to address anticipated demand across multiple industries, including automotive lighting, while supporting the company's longer-term business portfolio transformation strategy.

2. What is TECHPOLYMER, and where is it used?

TECHPOLYMER is a polymer microparticle produced using polymerized monomers and used in light-emitting diode (LED) light-diffusion applications. Its established applications include liquid crystal displays and LED lighting. The material is also experiencing increasing adoption in automotive lighting applications, including vehicle interior lighting and running lights. These expanding applications are among the reasons behind the planned production facility. Sekisui Kasei identifies TECHPOLYMER as an important growth area within its medium- to long-term management strategy through fiscal year 2030.

3. How much is Sekisui Kasei investing in the new TECHPOLYMER plant?

Sekisui Kasei plans to invest approximately JPY 3 billion in its new TECHPOLYMER production facility in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture. The investment will support the establishment of additional manufacturing capacity for polymer microparticles used in LED light-diffusion applications. The company expects demand from several sectors, including automotive lighting, to increase. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in April 2030. The investment also aligns with Sekisui Kasei's strategy of positioning TECHPOLYMER as a key growth area through fiscal year 2030.

4. When will the new TECHPOLYMER production plant begin operations?

The new TECHPOLYMER production plant is scheduled to begin operations in April 2030, according to Sekisui Kasei's announcement. The facility will be constructed on the premises of Sekisui Plastics Shiga Co., Ltd., in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture. The project carries an estimated investment of approximately JPY 3 billion. Its planned operational timeline is connected to the company's expectations of growing demand for polymer microparticles across established and emerging applications, particularly in automotive lighting and LED light-diffusion technologies.