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Mitsubishi Chemical to Start Up SMC Production Facility in Italy
Source:Mitsubishi Chemical  July 12, 2019
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Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masayuki Waga) today announced its intention to start up its European carbon fiber sheet molding compound (SMC) production facility in Italy. The new facility, slated to start operations in September 2020, will be located on a site adjoining C.P.C. SRL (CPC; Head office: Modena, Italy), in which MCC holds a 44% equity stake. 
 
SMC developed by MCC is a type of intermediate material for carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) and a sheet-shaped material in which carbon fibers cut into several-centimeter lengths are dispersed in resin. The SMC can be processed into components in a short period of time, i.e. roughly 2 to 5 minutes, by press molding. In contrast to prepreg intermediate materials (uncut carbon fiber fabric impregnated with resin), this SMC features high formability for molding complicated shaped parts.
 
In Japan, MCC produces SMC at its Aichi Plant (Toyohashi-shi, Aichi). Automakers in Japan have already adopted SMC for automobile door and luggage compartment inner panels and structural components for rear doors. Through CPC, MCC has developed its mobility business in Europe, using CFRPs as the main structural material. It has moved ahead with the development of SMC to gain certification for automotive applications, mainly from several European luxury automakers, anticipating wider adoption in the future.
 
To meet such strong demand, MCC will start up its new SMC production facility in Modena, Italy to offer increased production capacity. Modena offers a tradition of cutting edge engineering, a smooth access to MCC’s customers in the automotive market, as well as skilled labor forces. The new production facility, in addition to MCC’s current facility in Aichi, will bolster SMC production and contribute to further expansion of MCC’s global sales.
 
MCC will proactively offer optimal solutions in the mobility field, which shows significant technological innovation, by combining its carbon fiber production sites in Japan, the U.S., and Europe, CPC’s molding technologies, and the marketing capabilities of Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials AG (MCAM)*, which has strong marketing capabilities and powerful sales networks, particularly in Europe and the U.S.
 
MCAM was renamed from Quadrant AG on April 1, 2019. The company develops the following businesses on a global scale: Various super engineering plastics combined with fillers, and thermoplastic resins that combine carbon fibers, glass fibers, and polypropylene fibers.
 
 
MCC’s carbon fiber
 
Example of an automotive component made with SMC
 
MCAM’s business site in Italy

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