Asahi Kasei’s Fibers & Textiles SBU completed the addition of new production facility for Bemliese cupro continuous-filament nonwoven fabric in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan. Commercial operation of the new facility began on February 1, 2017.

Bemliese is the world’s only cupro continuous-filament nonwoven fabric. It is composed of regenerated cellulose fiber made from cotton linter, the fibers around cotton seeds. These natural origins make Bemliese the ideal material for a wide range of applications—in the skincare and medical fields, as wipers for industrial and commercial use.

Sold in markets around the world, Bemliese is enjoying particularly strong demand growth in skincare applications. As such demand growth is forecasted to continue, the decision was made to construct a new production facility. With the completion of the new facility, production capacity for Bemliese increased by approximately 1500 tons/year.

Moving forward, the Fibers & Textiles SBU will continue to expand production capacity and enhance the production infrastructure in order to strengthen the Bemliese supply configuration in line with additional growth in the global market.

In other news, Asahi Kasei has decided to relocate its head office from Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, to a new building currently under construction in Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, during the first half of fiscal 2018.

Asahi Kasei’s head office had been located in Yurakucho from 1950 until 2008, when it was changed to the current location in Kanda Jinbocho due to redevelopment of the area of the previous location in Yurakucho. The decision to return the head office location to Yurakucho was made as construction work in the area being redeveloped is nearing completion, with consideration for the optimal head office function and long-term outlook.

The head offices of all core operating companies, subsidiaries, and affiliates of Asahi Kasei currently located in Kanda Jinbocho will also be relocated to Yurakucho at the same time.