Mitsubishi Chemical adding capacity for flame-retardant elastomers

Tokyo – Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. (MCC) has announced plans to expand its production capacity for flame-retardant compounds based on polyolefins and thermoplastic elastomers.

As part of the move, the Japanese group is installing new production lines at Mitsubishi Chemical Performance Polymers (China) in Jiangsu, and MCPP France SAS in Tiffauges, France, said an 8 April statement.

According to the group, the decision is driven by a “significant increase in demand” for flame-retardant compounds as cable sheathing materials across industries such as mobility, telecommunications, construction, and gas.

The compounds are generally used in applications such as automotive cables, solar power generation system cables, and sputter tubes, with demand growing especially in China and Europe in recent years.

MCC maintains that its flame-retardant compounds provide a wide grade lineup supporting various flame retardance and heat resistance levels.

The materials are also claimed to provide “high flexibility and outstanding formability in extrusion moulding.”