Mitsui Chemicals is adding an extra polymer compounding line at its wholly owned subsidiary Sun Alloys in Chiba, Japan. Construction is scheduled to start in February 2017 and complete four months later, with the additional capacity set to go into commercial operation in October 2017.

Mitsui said the investment is in response to an upswing in demand for its Milastomer vulcanized thermoplastic elastomer. It said demand for the lightweight, soft resin has grown significantly and would continue to expand around the world in line with wider uses in automotive interiors and as weatherstrips.

The group said its Milastomer activities were a core business in the mobility segment, an area it has targeted for future growth and expansion of its operations.