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2001.04.09 |
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MARUBENI Corp will on 12 April launch EnplaNet, and interactive web site providing technical and related information to end-users of engineering plastics. The company told ACN it expects 65 domestic producers of engineering plastics and of associated application equipment and software to become members of the website by 12 April, with another 80-90 signing on by end-2001. The trading major, which handles a wide slate of petrochemicals including engineering plastics, said indications so far are that early members would include affiliates of Idemitsu Petrochemical, Mitsubishi Chemical, Toray Industries and Tosoh Corp. The site will provide end-users with technical and other information on market developments, new products and application techniques. Users of engineering plastics include the automotive, electronics/electrical appliances and scientific equipment industries. The new site is expected to help Japanese companies cope with the challenges they face in this decade. Japan Petrochemical Industry Association officers and industry analysts in Tokyo told ACN that Marubeni's initiative should be viewed in the context of: ♦ Intensified competition in the domestic chemical markets from 2004, when Japan will open its doors to foreign petrochemical suppliers, including innovative European and US producers of high-technology polymers. ♦ Strenuous efforts by Japanese companies to develop new plastics that meet the durability, heat-resistance, lightness and tensile strength requirements of the automotive and electronics industries. The automotive industry is being driven, largely by rising fuel costs, to build lighter vehicles. According to the industry, new-generation engineering plastics are the most cost-effective means to lighter cars. The information technology industry is emphasizing lighter, stronger and more recyclable plastics to meet performance and environmental standards. ♦The Japanese industry's need to continue to bring down its costs in line with those of western competitors. Engineering plastics, like many specialities, require strong technical services. The Internet is today's most cost-efficient tool for delivering some of the basic technical services, said analysts |
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( Asian Chemical News ) |
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